Author: Henry Murphy

I probably shouldn’t be disappointed in people’s mindsets, but I am.

Conversations in the barbershop, casual talks with friends… I’m seeing a pattern, and it’s hard to ignore.

I’ve realized something sobering: you can’t save people from their mindset. They have to want to change. You can give them game. You can offer wisdom. You can even show them the way. But if their mind is made up, it’s like talking to a brick wall.

Sometimes I ask myself, “Am I being too hard?” “Too harsh?”

But deep down, I just want to see people be better, because they actually can be.

It makes me wonder why we run from the very things that can help us grow.

Why do we avoid challenges, new information, and different perspectives that could improve our lives?

I say this from experience. I used to be stubborn too, especially with small things like food. My wife would try to introduce me to healthier options, and I’d shut it down immediately. Not because it wasn’t good for me, but because I was stuck in my ways. My palate was closed off, just like my mindset.

That brings me to something that happened today in the shop. A lady walked in selling sea moss. She was an entrepreneur, so naturally, I respected her hustle. She started explaining the health benefits of sea moss: how it cleanses the body of mucus, boosts energy, and supports the immune system. It was a solid presentation. But people tuned her out. Heads went down. No interest.

And that crushed me.

Maybe it hit harder because I’ve dealt with health issues myself, specifically with my eyes. Issues that, if I’m honest, were caused by my diet. That’s why I listen now. That’s why I care.

But again, we wait until we hit rock bottom before we decide to change. Why?

It all comes down to mindset. And this applies to business mindset, financial mindset, health mindset, you name it. Your mindset is either your ceiling or your launchpad. It controls your decisions, your habits, and ultimately your future.

That’s why I constantly push things like:

• Taking courses

• Attending webinars

• Reading books

• Getting coaching

• Finding mentors

That’s how your mindset shifts. And if your mindset shifts, your life shifts.

Now I can’t talk about changing mindset without talking about the Word of God. Because we don’t naturally think the way God does, we need the Word to renew our minds. It’s the only way to see life, people, and purpose the way God intended. And when you start there, every area of your life begins to align.

So this wasn’t supposed to be a blog post. I wasn’t planning to write anything today.

But this was fresh on my heart and I had to share it with you.

You can change your mindset. Right now.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve been doing or not doing, that’s the past. Focus on the future. Make a decision today to shift your thinking. You don’t need permission. Just choose.

Changing your mindset will change your life.

God bless the entrepreneur.

What are we doing here, God?
What is this season?
Why am I going through this?

These are just a few of the questions I’ve asked the Lord over the last three years. I’ve been a believer for over 20 years, and one thing I’ve learned for certain is this: we can always depend on the character of God.

If you find yourself in a season you didn’t bring on yourself, meaning it’s not the result of sin or a financial whirlwind you caused, then it’s probably a season of correction or perfection.

Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell broke it down so well. And when I heard his reel on Instagram, it hit me, this is what the Lord has been trying to tell me all along. He’s growing me and my wife in this season, and He is with us.

Sometimes, I pray and pray, and all I hear back is, “I am with you.”
And you know what? Eventually, you realize, that’s enough.

I’ve always been fascinated with God. The way He created everything, how the universe has been in perpetual motion since He spoke it into existence, it’s incredible. Everything in nature has a purpose. And when God said, “It is good,” in Genesis, it really was.

He is a good Shepherd, a good Leader, a good Father.
He will never leave us or forsake us. He is always praying for us, leading us, guiding us.

I know when this season is over and I look back, I’ll see so much more than I do now.
But even now, I can see that God is growing me in so many areas:
• Growing me in humility
• Growing me in patience
• Growing me to think deeper—strategically and conceptually
• Growing me to be more intentional with community
• Growing me to be more intentional with my wife
• Growing me in prayer
• Growing me in awareness and attentiveness

And I know there’s more.

I don’t usually use the term “legally blind” even though yes, that’s what the doctor said. And yes, it affects me every single day in ways most people don’t know. If you’ve followed my journey, you know I’ve written about it many times. But even in that, there’s a grace that God gives me I can’t explain.

My heart cries out: Lord, if You are in the valley, let me be here with You. And whenever You need me to go to the mountaintop to speak—I’ll go. I’ll do whatever You’ve told me to do. But then, let me come back here with You—where rest is, where peace is, where growth is.

So if you’re reading this and you’re in a storm, trust Him through it.
Endure.

There will be sleepless nights.
It will be frustrating.
It will bring tears.
But keep fighting.

Lean on Him more in these seasons.
Depend on Him more in these seasons.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

Inspired by the book Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell

One of the biggest gems in Buy Back Your Time is the importance of sync meetings, those regular check-ins with key people in your life or business that keep the engine running smooth. Dan talks about how these meetings aren’t just about updates; they’re about alignment. They allow you to identify bottlenecks, clarify expectations, and ultimately buy back time by making sure the people you’ve trusted with responsibility are actually in sync with your vision.

And let me tell you, I live by these meetings.

Every month, I meet with B. Harrison to get my credit right. Yes, I’m one of those people who never really used credit. And let me just say this: having no credit is basically the same as having bad credit. So here I am, opening new accounts and building it from the ground up. I’m not mad about it though, my debt is only around $3,000, so we’re not talking about a mountain to climb.

But I knew I needed someone who could break it down for me, someone who could not only teach me how to build credit properly, but also show me how to leverage it. If you’ve been rocking with my blogs for a while, then you know I built my entire business on cash. That’s a different world. Now I get to apply that same grind to learning how to use good debt wisely, and these meetings keep me focused.

Then there’s Sanchez, my distributor. We’re always talking e-commerce. We have regular strategy sessions where we discuss everything from distribution timelines to how his system updates benefit me as a seller. These aren’t just casual convos either; we come to the table with ideas, we leave with action steps, and we follow up.

B. Bell, my content strategist, is another one. When we meet, she’s always pushing me to be better, challenging me on how I communicate, helping me develop better content flows, and keeping the focus on being intentional. She makes sure that the content I put out actually leads people back to what I’m offering. She helps me serve, with structure.

And I’ve got more meetings just like this—every week, every month. Some are personal, some are business. But all of them are vital.

Because here’s the thing: sync meetings aren’t just a formality, they’re a lifeline.

They’re where vision meets accountability. They keep you from assuming everyone’s on the same page when they’re really in a whole different book.

They create consistency.

They produce clarity.

They give you margin.

And when you start stacking up consistent sync meetings across every lane of your life, finance, strategy, content, distribution, you start noticing that you’re not doing everything alone anymore. You’re leading better. You’re buying back your time.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

Inspired by the book Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell

This book got me locked in. Honestly, I’ve finished two other books while going through it, not because it’s boring, but because it’s the kind of book you shouldn’t rush through. There’s so much meat in it. One section in particular, where Dan breaks down bringing on an administrative assistant, has me in a chokehold. But I’m going to master it. I have to.

Back to the Definition of Done.

Another area I’m actively working on is with The Ground Up Academy, specifically the Facebook group page, updates inside the academy, and communication with the people I’m bringing on board. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I try to be transparent. So let me be real.

There was one teacher I was bringing on. We’ve done business together for years. I’ve put a lot of money in their pocket over time, but that’s neither here nor there. Still, it played a part in how I felt about what happened.

We got everything locked in. Class scheduled. Good to go. Then, they hit me with a question that caught me off guard: “How much am I getting paid to teach this class?”

Now, in my mind, this was a no-brainer. I thought the communication was clear. My guy Charles had everything scheduled, and I assumed the DOD had been handled. But I never explicitly said, “This is not a paid opportunity.” In my head, it was obvious: this is a platform of influence, you’re an expert in your field, and this is an e-commerce academy, you’re guaranteed to get sales. But that was in my head. I never clearly stated that.

And the truth is, I’m still wrestling with it. Not gonna lie. I was disappointed that they didn’t show up, especially after all the history. But at the end of the day, it didn’t get done. And the reason? Lack of communication.

So whatever you’re building, whoever you’re bringing in, be clear. Trust me, the questions I found out at the end? I could’ve found out at the beginning and pivoted early. Instead, we lost time, lost energy, and now I have to find someone to fill the slot and adjust the whole agenda. That’s on me. Because I’m the owner.

If you’re reading this and you’re the owner everything falls on you. If you work for someone, understand this: your leader wants to be as clear as possible so that the whole team can understand the Definition of Done.

Because if we can get this part right, we can build something incredible, a team that thrives not just on getting things done, but on getting them done efficiently and with clarity.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

Inspired by the book Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell

I’m always working with someone on a new project. It’s just how I move. Recently, I was having a conversation with Director Henley someone I’ve been working with for years about our upcoming content day. During the discussion, he asked a simple but powerful question: What are the deliverables?

In other words what’s the final product? What should this actually look like when we’re done?

That question lingered in my mind, and while I was listening to Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell, it hit me: the Definition of Done (DOD) starts with me. As the visionary, it’s my responsibility to clearly communicate what I want, what I need, and what a successful outcome looks like. It’s easy to forget that.

I’m also in the middle of vetting a photographer here in Atlanta. I believe I’ve found someone solid, and from the jump, her communication stood out. She asked all the right questions, questions that told me she’s been through this process before and she’s intentional about her deliverables. That matters. Because when I give her my vision and clearly explain my Definition of Done, we’re on the same page from day one.

But truthfully, in some areas, I still struggle. Sometimes, what’s in my head doesn’t make it to the team the way I see it. And that gap in communication? It can cost time, money, and energy. I’ve been an entrepreneur for over a decade, and I still feel like a newbie in this communication game. But I’m learning. Growing. Getting better.

This book reminded me of something I already knew but needed to hear again: Communication is everything. As entrepreneurs, we must define our DOD. And the people working with us? They need to understand that definition just as clearly as we do. That’s the only way the deliverables match the vision.

I hope this blog helps somebody. Because it’s helping me.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

I talk to creative entrepreneurs and eComm brand owners all the time and when the conversation shifts to “how business is going,” most say things are good. They’re making sales, orders are rolling in, and their brand is moving.

But then I ask a few deeper questions, and the answers tell a different story:

The Questions That Separate Hustlers from Builders

ME: What’s your tax strategy?

THEM: I don’t really have one yet.

ME: Do you pull your profit first?

THEM: I don’t even know what that means.

ME: What’s your profit margin on each product?

THEM: I’m not sure, but I know I’m making money.

ME: What’s your average order value (AOV)?

THEM: I haven’t really tracked that yet.

ME: What’s your customer journey for turning one-time buyers into repeat customers?

THEM: I just try to give good service.

ME: What’s your mission statement?

THEM: I don’t have one yet.

ME: Is your brand trademarked?

THEM: Not yet, but it’s on the list.

If This Sounds Like You, Don’t Panic, but Don’t Stay There

If those answers hit a little too close to home, it’s not the end of the world, but it is a sign. A sign that it’s time to tighten up.

Making money is one thing. Building a real business is something else entirely. And if you’re serious about being in this for the long haul, you’ve got to get intentional.

Don’t Build Your Business on Quicksand

I’m not saying you have to understand every piece of industry jargon before you launch, but we do have to commit to consistently learning. We have to build our businesses on solid ground not quicksand.

It’s easy to chase temporary money and lose sight of the big picture. But that picture matters.

The goal is sustainability. Longevity. Legacy.

Pay Yourself First & Know Your Numbers

That means getting into the habit of paying yourself first.

That means knowing your numbers.

That means studying your industry until you know it inside and out.

If you don’t know where to begin, grab a copy of Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. It’ll teach you how to set your business up so profit is built-in, not an afterthought. This one mindset shift can change how you see money, how you run your business, and how long you last.

This Is Bigger Than Sales

Creative entrepreneurs listen. You weren’t just called to make sales. You were called to build.

Something that serves your people.

Feeds your family.

Leaves a legacy.

That takes strategy. That takes structure. That takes discipline.

So, let me ask you again:

Are you really running a business or are you running a sustainable business?

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

It works! I opened up my phone and saw a text message from Wells Fargo that said, “You just got paid!” I was like, “Who, me?” and I started smiling. I immediately made a Facebook post about small beginnings because somehow, I always tend to forget this.

When I built out my first company, I built it with the intention for it to make residual income, although I really didn’t know what I was doing at the time.

I got a deposit today from Teachable, and it reminded me of that. I built the system out about 10 months ago for The Ground Up Academy, and at the time, it was on a monthly subscription model. The deposits I’m seeing now come from the people who were grandfathered in. We’ve since moved to a yearly subscription base, but it’s still subscription-based nonetheless.

Let me get back to the point. When you’re building out a system, it takes time. A lot of times, we want something to work immediately, but for most people, it doesn’t work like that. Take your time, build it out right, and always be thinking about the future. Because if you build the foundation right, in time, the system will produce again and again and again for you.

I’m not sure if I remembered my first company when I started building out The Ground Up Academy, but I thank God that I was reminded of it today. So I wanted to do two things—one, write this blog to remind myself and anyone who finds it, and two, speak to my Facebook friends who are entrepreneurs: do not despise small beginnings. Everything has to start somewhere.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

I created The Ground Up Academy in an awkward place in my life an in-between stage, if I’m honest. I’ve been an entrepreneur for over a decade and have done pretty well in business. But I’ve also made a lot of mistakes. As I started reading more, thinking more, and working through different frameworks and systems, I realized how much of what I had learned could help others. There are so many entrepreneurs who could benefit from the lessons, strategies, and resources I’ve gained over the years, applying them to their own businesses to avoid some of the pitfalls I encountered.

A mentor of mine, Myron Golding, once shared how a tree grows in two directions, and it perfectly captured the heart behind The Ground Up Academy.

Before a tree stretches toward the sky, it first grows downward into the soil. Its roots take hold in the dark, damp earth, pushing through resistance, searching for stability and nourishment. That unseen work done in an environment few acknowledge or admire is what allows the tree to rise.

Business works the same way. The effort you put in behind the scenes, when no one is watching, is what makes the visible success possible. The late nights, the failures, the refining of skills, the sacrifices these are your roots. And just like a tree, the stronger your foundation, the greater your capacity to grow and flourish in the light.

People admire success, but they rarely see the struggle that built it. They see the brand, the revenue, the influence but not the hard-earned lessons and quiet perseverance beneath it.

That’s what The Ground Up Academy is about helping entrepreneurs lay a solid foundation. Because real, lasting success isn’t built on what people see. It’s built on what happens in the dark.

God Bless The Entrepreneur