Why subscribe to The Profile?
To be the best, you have to study the best. The Profile is the go-to source for in-depth stories on the world’s most successful people and companies.
Founded by Polina Pompliano, a former FORTUNE magazine tech reporter, The Profile features both hand-curated and original longform profiles spanning finance, business, technology, sports, entertainment, and more.
The Profile is read by the most serious and important business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and journalists. With my background at FORTUNE, I’ve built deep relationships in these worlds, and our audience reflects that caliber.
More importantly, The Profile isn’t just about reach; it’s about influence. The right people — decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and investors — read and share our stories, making it one of the most valuable platforms for shaping narratives.
Some notable readers include actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, famed restaurateur Danny Meyer, New Balance CEO Joe Preston, former GE CEO Jeff Immelt, entrepreneur-turned-investor Ron Shaich, and legendary NFL player J.J. Watt.
Who writes The Profile?
I’m Polina, and last year, I read 1.8 million words—the equivalent of 25 books—all in pursuit of the most compelling, well-reported profiles of extraordinary people.
I’ve worked on The Profile at baseball games, on vacation, and in Italian coffee shops with no Wi-Fi—not because I had to, but because this is how I learn. And I want to share that learning with you.
Since launching this newsletter in 2017, I’ve curated and written deep-dive profiles that explore the minds, habits, and decisions of the world’s top performers. Tens of thousands of readers—including The Rock, Danny Meyer, and my wonderful mom—have joined me in this journey.
At the heart of The Profile is a simple rule: If you won’t learn something from it, I won’t include it.
I believe in people-focused learning—the idea that the best way to understand anything is through the stories of those who have built, created, and innovated. Stories trigger emotion, and emotion triggers memory.
So if you’re someone who believes in learning from the best, I invite you to subscribe below.
What are readers saying?
Wait, did you also write a book?
Yes! I wrote my first book, HIDDEN GENIUS, and it came out in 2023.
After years of profiling hundreds of fascinating people, I asked myself: What distinguishes the great from the truly exceptional?
I realized that the highest performers don't use "tricks" or "hacks" to achieve greatness. They use mental frameworks that fundamentally change the way they see the world.
This book will help you do the same. Inside, you’ll find practical techniques around augmenting your creativity, mastering mental toughness, telling better stories, cultivating healthy relationships, clarifying your thinking, and unlocking your own hidden genius.
