Author: Henry Murphy

Curious George, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, My Life by Magic Johnson, and Proverbs from the Bible. These were the only books I read by the time I was 16, and all of them had a lasting impact on me in different ways. Yes, I said I read Curious George, a series of books, which was funny and spoke to my playful nature. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobesparked my imagination in a new way. I loved basketball, and Magic Johnson was my favorite player at the time, so My Life, his autobiography, felt like a must-read.

Now, imagine a gap of over 30 years where I really didn’t read much at all. That was a lot of time wasted. I could’ve changed my life in major ways if I had just picked up a book.

Oh wait a minute, there was one book, The Majesty of Calmness—and my dad was persistent that I read that. But other than that, there was a lot of wasted time.

Now, I have 100+ books in my Audible library, with my Audible wish list growing by the day. I’m passionate about businessm productivity, processes, credit, investing, and everything that comes with running a business. It took me a while to realize that I learn better by listening, so that’s what I do.

It feels like I’m just beginning, though, even at my age. When I heard Dan Sullivan, in his 80s, talk about his love for reading and writing, it made me smile. I’m in the right place. I’m going to keep reading. I’m going to keep writing. I’m going to keep getting better.

Pick up a book.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

I used to say that I went from a hustler to an entrepreneur, but the truth is, I was an entrepreneur the entire time. An entrepreneur is someone who takes value from one state to another, creating something greater in the process. I didn’t realize it back then, but even when I was hustling, I was laying the groundwork for something bigger.

Back then, my business model was simple: take 24 tees, flip them, flip them again, then flip them again. That hustle taught me tenacity, but it only got me so far. I was one of those people who swore “cash is king.” I didn’t understand credit, and honestly, I didn’t care about it. Growing up, I never even wanted a house my only goal was to build my business.

But as I got older and my vision got bigger, I realized I needed to know more. I got a coach to teach me about credit. She walked me through the process and broke down terms I had never paid attention to:

    •    Utilization: How much of your credit limit you’re using.

    •    History: How long you’ve had credit.

    •    Inquiries: The requests made to check your credit score.

    •    Hard pulls vs. soft pulls: Hard pulls affect your score, while soft pulls don’t.

That season of flipping tees had its place it led me to a point where I was making $3,000 a day. But imagine what happens when you combine that same hustle with a 750 credit score that gets you an $80,000 business card. Imagine the possibilities if your business was structured right. Your “why” was clear, your brand story was solid, your trademark was protected, and you fully understood how business really works.

A greater starting point changes everything.

Sometimes, when we’re getting into business, we think we know it all. But the truth is, we don’t and that’s okay. The key is being willing to pause, seek guidance, and learn what we need to know to execute at our highest level.

Understanding credit changed everything for me. It wasn’t just about flipping tees anymoreit was about building something sustainable, something that could grow beyond me. Don’t be afraid to invest in knowledge. Whether it’s credit, e-commerce, or any part of your business journey, that foundation can take you further than you can imagine.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

I’m the one with the bullhorn on the street corner shouting: Foundation matters! Foundation matters! If you commit to the process, the fruit will follow.

You don’t get to shipping 200 or 300 packages a day overnight. And honestly? You wouldn’t even want it that way because the leaks in your business would be overwhelming. Trying to handle that kind of volume without the right structure in place would be chaos.

It all starts with the groundwork. You need to pour the concrete for your business by truly understanding it. I see people rush to “get to the bag,” but they end up losing it just as quickly. Why? Because they wanted the highlight reel, not the knowledge.

The investment of time, money, and learning is worth it. When you build your business the right way, from the ground up, you don’t just create a solid brand you create a blueprint. One you can replicate again and again for future ventures.

FOUNDATION MATTERS.Commit to the process. Build something that lasts.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

I hear it more than you know—people come to me, excited, saying, “Man, I have some amazing designs, and people are loving it. I’m ready to start my brand.” And trust me, I get it. I love seeing that passion and creativity. But as I listen, trying my best not to interrupt, I want to scream, “That’s good, but you need foundation. You must have foundation if you really want to build something!”

It’s like trying to lay the frame of a house before pouring the concrete—it just doesn’t work. If you want to build something that lasts, you need to focus on the basics first.

Let me break it down like this: consider these foundational principles before you take the next step. You can’t put the cart before the horse.

    •    Yo, why? (What’s your purpose? Why are you doing this?)

    •    Your brand story(What’s the narrative that connects people to your business?)

    •    Your name (Is it memorable, meaningful, and clear?)

    •    Your logo (Does it reflect your brand identity?)

    •    Business structure(How are you legally setting yourself up for success?)

    •    Business credit (Do you have the financial tools to scale?)

    •    Trademark protection(Is your intellectual property secure?)

    •    Your mission statement (What does your business stand for?)

    •    Your values (What principles guide every decision you make?)

When you take the time to lay a strong foundation, everything else starts to fall into place. But keep in mind, distraction follows intention. The moment you set your mind to building something great, adversity will come your way. That’s why your “why,” mission, and values are so important—they’ll keep you grounded and help push you through.

Remember, the strongest brands don’t just happen—they’re built.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

When I was creating the custodial account for my granddaughter Arie, I couldn’t help but think about what I wish I had known when my kids were younger. It’s something I have to get over every time I think about it. I didn’t know, so I can’t beat myself up. But the only thing we can do, once we know better, is change what we can.

I woke up with these thoughts the other day, and I said to myself, “I’m going to pen this.”

If I could do it all over again, I would homeschool my kids. I would do my best to make it work. Yes, I’d still follow the stage requirements for education, but I’d also introduce them to different languages, cultures, and foods. I’d teach them about entrepreneurship. I’d teach them about the stock market. Many of their lessons would involve engaging with people. I’d teach them how to create a business plan, find the right people to put in that business, and then show them how to move that business forward.

I’d introduce them to the arts. I’d put them around street artists here in America and in different countries. I’d take them to Broadway plays. And I’d make sure they understood the importance of personal credit and business credit.

When it comes to God, I want to make something clear. I was young in my faith when I became a disciple of Jesus, so my wife and I shared our faith with our kids, but if I had to do it differently, I would teach them about the call to discipleship and what that truly means.

I’m a little older now, and the reason I’m writing this is because someone reading this might be in the place I wish I had been back then. I want you to know that you have the power to decide what your children learn. We don’t always know what we don’t know, but once we do, it’s our responsibility to share.

I’m by no means saying that we didn’t give our children anything good. We spent beautiful family nights together, and there was love in the home. But simply put, I taught them how to survive, not to thrive. And when I look back, I see the difference. We have the opportunity to put this thriving mindset into our children early teaching them not just to make it, but to succeed, grow, and live with purpose.

God Bless the Entrepreneur.

Have you ever wondered, “How did I get here?” If you’ve lived long enough, you probably have. Starting over is a part of life, and if you embrace it, you can turn those valley moments into something great. Often, those valleys are preparing you for what’s next.

Life is full of highs and lows, and sometimes we need a reset to get back on track. I’ve often wondered if sharing my vulnerabilities is too much, but I’ve realized that being open can give others the courage to do the same.

Resets are natural. I remember moving my family to my grandmother’s house when I was younger because I didn’t understand the importance of paying bills on time. During that time, I learned valuable lessons about responsibility, financial discipline, and resilience.

There was a time when I couldn’t pay off a card to save my life, but once I settled at my grandmother’s house, things started to shift. Suddenly, I was handling things that once seemed impossible. I learned that what I once couldn’t handle like paying rent for a small apartment was no longer an issue. I got a chance to move my family into a beautiful house in a fantastic neighborhood. It was another season to step up and rise to the challenge.

Every valley, every challenge, every reset has given me a chance to be better. When I look back, I see that the struggles I once thought were burdens were really opportunities to grow, learn, and rise higher.

Taking risks is essential. Life is short, and if we don’t seize opportunities, they may pass us by. We might face setbacks, but each reset strengthens us, preparing us for the challenges ahead.

Remember, it’s okay to start over. Every reset is a chance to build a stronger foundation for the future.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

Have you ever heard the phrase, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”? Thinking is foundational. Positive thinking, in particular, becomes a breeding ground for faith and hope. But there’s something even more powerful than thinking hearing. Hearing your own thoughts, your own goals, spoken out loud.

As entrepreneurs, we sometimes find ourselves in seasons of planning where we don’t have anyone to share those plans with. Maybe you haven’t yet built a community of like-minded individuals who share your vision, your drive, or your way of thinking. And that’s okay hese connections take time.

Even when you have a strong circle, they might not always be available. Some of my closest friends, who are thriving in their own businesses, are often busy. Even my wife, who is my greatest supporter, can’t always lend an ear when I need to get my thoughts out. That’s where my iPhone Voice Memos come in.

Voice Memos have been a lifesaver for me. They allow me to record my thoughts and hear them out loud. Just the other day, I recorded one of my longest memos yet—20 minutes of unfiltered ideas and goals that had been swirling in my mind. I needed to let it flow, and hearing it back gave me clarity and focus.

In fact, I plan to schedule time this week just to listen to it again. Because the more I hear it, the more I build my faith. The more I build my faith, the more I keep going.

The entrepreneurial journey can feel lonely at times. But you first have to believe in your vision. You have to own it. Confidence is key—confidence that what you’re building will come to pass. And above all, submit your plans to God, and trust that He will bless the work of your hands.

Be encouraged. The grind may be lonely, but your vision is worth it.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

Why Knowing E-Commerce Terms Matters
Yesterday, I was contemplating a post for Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). I wanted to reach out to people interested in starting their own brands. While many follow me on my personal Facebook page, I realized that my audience there isn’t my target group for e-commerce.

The post I had in mind was this: “If you know the stats of your favorite sports team and players but don’t understand these 19 e-commerce terms, maybe your priorities are in the wrong place.”

As I thought it through, I decided to focus on what truly matters crafting value for my students at The Ground Up Academy. These are the ones who are serious about building their e-commerce businesses.

Here’s the thing: You might not use all these terms immediately when starting out, but understanding them will set you up for success. When it’s time to build your team, review your numbers, or communicate with experts, you’ll have a solid foundation to work from.

The 19 Essential E-Commerce Terms
To help you grow as an entrepreneur, here are the e-commerce terms every brand builder should commit to memory:
    1.    AOV (Average Order Value)
Tracks the average amount customers spend per order.
Formula: Total Revenue ÷ Number of Orders
    2.    CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization)
The process of improving your website to turn visitors into paying customers.
    3.    ROI (Return on Investment)
Measures the profitability of your investments.
Formula: (Net Profit ÷ Investment Cost) × 100
    4.    CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost)
The cost of acquiring a new customer.
Formula: Total Marketing Costs ÷ New Customers Acquired
    5.    LTV (Lifetime Value)
The total revenue a customer brings over their lifetime relationship with your business.
    6.    CTR (Click-Through Rate)
Measures how many people click on your ads or links.
Formula: (Clicks ÷ Impressions) × 100
    7.    SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
The practice of optimizing your site to rank higher in search engine results.
    8.    PPC (Pay-Per-Click)
A paid advertising model where you’re charged each time someone clicks on your ad.
    9.    SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)
A unique identifier for each product in your inventory.
    10.    CPM (Cost Per Mille)
The cost of 1,000 ad impressions—a key metric in display advertising.
    11.    CR (Conversion Rate)
The percentage of visitors who complete a desired action, like making a purchase.
Formula: (Conversions ÷ Total Visitors) × 100
    12.    CPC (Cost Per Click)
Tracks how much you pay for each ad click in your campaigns.
    13.    RFM (Recency, Frequency, Monetary)
Analyzes customer behavior: how recently they purchased, how often, and how much they spend.
    14.    KPI (Key Performance Indicator)
Metrics that measure progress toward specific business goals.
    15.    ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
Software that integrates and manages business processes like inventory and accounting.
    16.    API (Application Programming Interface)
Tools that allow different software to connect and share data.
    17.    SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
Ensures secure, encrypted data exchange on your website, building trust with customers.
    18.    RTM (Real-Time Marketing)
Responding instantly to current events or customer behavior with relevant marketing.
    19.    POS (Point of Sale)
The system or location where customers complete their purchases, whether online or in-store.

Why These Terms Matter for Your Business
These terms aren’t just buzzwords they’re essential tools to help you communicate effectively, strategize better, and understand your business metrics. The sooner you become familiar with them, the more prepared you’ll be to grow your brand and work with a team.

Final Thoughts
If you’ve got big dreams for your e-commerce business, make learning these terms part of your foundation. Don’t just focus on external distractions or irrelevant stats. Focus on what truly matters building a brand that lasts.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

After one of my podcast episodes, Charles hit me up and said, “Make sure they don’t fall off with the blogs because your outro promises it.” That sparked something in me. I took the challenge head-on and wrote a blog almost every day until I had enough for a year.

I remember challenging a young lady I was coaching to do the same and she did it! My next challenge to myself was to write a blog every day, and now I’m about three months ahead.

I share this to say: make sure you’ve got people in your life who challenge you not just in business but in every area. WHO’S CHALLENGING YOU to be a better spouse, a better friend, better with your time, better with your money, and a better follower of Jesus?

Iron sharpens iron. Surround yourself with people who push you forward. 

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

I’m not sure when you will read this blog, but I can assure you that what you’re reading reflects a very real season in my life. As I turned over in bed this morning, a thought hit me: This is like a dorm room.

The reason I said that is because my belongings are currently confined to a storage unit and what’s inside this room. The university? It’s the internet, if you will. I’m learning from authors, entrepreneurs, financial podcasts, credit experts, and webinars. This has been a season of relentless learning and growth.

The confinement is real because when my wife and I moved from Los Angeles, California, we came back to Georgia without a car. It was the right move when we were in Cali because we lived in downtown Los Angeles and didn’t need one. Every trip now is an Uber ride, costing about $40 out-of-pocket. No complaints here it’s just part of the scenario.

Some days, it can get to youthinking that your whole life is contained in one room. But the truth is, it’s not. It’s just where my body happens to be right now. My mind and imagination are firmly set on the future.

I’m not just writing goals down; I’m doing the deep work to understand:

    •    Where I’m going.

    •    What I’ll do when I get there.

    •    Who I’ll serve.

    •    What problem I’m going to solve to make it all happen.

I’m submitting all my plans to God, remembering James’ words: “If the Lord wills, we will do this or that.” Even as I plan, I’m making sure to surrender those plans to Him.

Although this season gets tough, I’ve chosen to embrace it. One day, I’ll look back and say:

    •    This is where I grew the most.

    •    This is where humility was forged.

    •    This is where gratefulness took root.

    •    This is where I learned the art of budgeting.

It all happened in a “dorm room” at my brother’s house.

God Bless The Entrepreneur