Author: Henry Murphy

I once underestimated the power of that line. But the truth is, every time we read a book, scroll through TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, every tweet, every podcast, every conversation—it all affects us in some way.

The impact can be either positive or negative. I love comedy—really, I do. The sarcasm in shows like Frasier and Seinfeld has always been a favorite, and I grew up on much edgier stuff like Eddie Murphy’s Delirious and Raw. Harlem Nights and other films like it were my go-to. But as I got older and grew in my faith, I realized that every thought spawns another thought. I had to start watching what I consumed.

It’s like eating a greasy burger every day; sooner or later, a heart attack is inevitable because what you consistently put in your body affects you. But if you’re eating lean protein and veggies, your body reacts differently. The mind is the same—what you feed it is what you’ll get out. So I began to change everything around me. I unfollowed anyone on social media who wasn’t speaking life into me in some way. Relationships that were negative? I don’t have them anymore. I need more positive thoughts in my life to cultivate deeper thoughts. I no longer want to consume just anything.

When I hear a speaker say something thought-provoking, it elevates my mind. In turn, it helps me provide more thought-provoking content to those who follow me.

If this message resonates with you, I encourage you to take action today. Follow those who speak life into you and unfollow those who don’t. Don’t hold any grudges—you’re simply maturing and seeking something different in your life, and that’s okay.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

I used to say that God called us to a specific thing. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that language, but I’ve come to realize that God has called us to Himself. He’s bestowed on us gifts and talents that we are meant to use for His kingdom, to impact the world for Him.

This is why it’s difficult for me to talk about business without mentioning God. I often say that God gives us the power to get wealth, that He blesses the work of our hands. So how much credit can we truly take if this is the case? The best thing we can do is submit our plans to God.

He called us to be light. I used to find that scripture almost sarcastic—when He says, “Do you put a lamp under the nightstand?” Of course not! It’s absurd to hide a light where it can’t serve its purpose. That brings me to my point: if He called us to be light, why are we still in the shadows?

There are a few things we need to consider every day. We don’t know how much time we have, and we know that death is certain. Therefore, everything in between matters. Once we understand these truths, we must be intentional about being light in the world through our gifts.

People often say that each person is unique. If that’s true—and I believe it is—then you must hold onto that truth with all your heart. If you don’t, you might miss what God wants to do through you.

Darkness, by definition, is the absence of light. If God has called you to Himself and equipped you with gifts, then why are you still in the shadows?

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

I am an entrepreneur, but I’m a believer first. I really love saying that. It’s my segue into my content when I talk about God. Since I’m not always sure if people find me through my entrepreneurship or my faith, I like to use that segue to let you know I’m about to delve into something about God.

The concept of humility always stood out to me when I would read Proverbs, and once I saw it there, I started seeing it all over the Bible. Humility should begin with our relationship with God—loving Him, respecting Him, and serving Him for who He is. God detests pride because He is the epitome of humility.

My dad used to make me recite the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling. Honestly, I used to hate memorizing and reciting things—it really got on my nerves. But now, I appreciate those things he made me do that I didn’t care for back then. One particular verse from the poem resonates with me deeply, especially when I walk around Los Angeles and have conversations with the homeless:

“If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much…”

When I see the homeless and engage in conversation with them, it reminds me of that line, “walk with Kings but still have the common touch.” I have friends who are millionaires, and our conversations about business and future planning are invaluable. I believe you should have those kinds of relationships in your life. But it’s equally important to be able to communicate with someone who has less than us and treat them with the same respect and kindness. They are real people, with real stories, and real struggles.

This was on my heart today: Walk with kings, but keep the common touch. I want to leave you with one more thing—if you’ve been blessed and you’re reading this, remember this proverb: “He who gives to the poor lends to the Lord.” That is so powerful because, at the end of the day, we can’t really repay God if we belong to Him. Never lose the common touch.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

You have to be willing to start, and you have to be willing to fail. There’s no other way to know what the next step is without both.

When it comes to running a business, planning is essential. I’m not saying you should dive in haphazardly—I believe in risk, but I also believe in calculated risk. You can plan until the cows come home, but if you never actually start, that plan means nothing. Not only do you have to be willing to start, but you also have to be willing to fail.

Start and Embrace Failure

You have to be willing to start, and you have to be willing to fail. There’s no other way to know what the next step is without both.

When it comes to running a business, planning is essential. I’m not saying you should dive in haphazardly—I believe in risk, but I also believe in calculated risk. You can plan until the cows come home, but if you never actually start, that plan means nothing. Not only do you have to be willing to start, but you also have to be willing to fail.

Failure often gets a bad rap, but it shouldn’t. You learn so much from failure. It’s all about perspective—failure is full of lessons, not losses. It’s nearly impossible to see the next step if you’re not willing to start or to fail. These two are synonymous.

James in the Bible says, “Faith without works is dead,” which means if you believe but don’t put any action behind that belief, it’s as if you didn’t believe at all. Take that step and embrace failure, I promise it’s worth it.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

In the ebb and flow of life, there are seasons that shape us, test us, and ultimately lead us to growth. One such season for me was a period of financial struggle during the early years of parenthood. My wife and I faced challenges until we started figuring things out. It was during this time that I had to remind myself of a valuable lesson – the importance of contentment in every circumstance.

Reflecting on my journey, I noticed a pattern of repeating cycles, especially in relation to money. As I began to earn more, I realized that my financial decisions were crucial in breaking the cycle of financial instability. In a blog titled “Blow $2500 a Day,” I shared the realization that, had I been more responsible with my earnings, the financial outcomes could have been exponentially better.

As the money started flowing in, our lifestyle changed. Vacations became more lavish, self-care routines were indulgent, and we treated ourselves to various luxuries. This shift was, in part, a reaction to remembering times of financial constraint. We reveled in having more and embraced the newfound abundance.

However, life is cyclical, and seasons change. I find myself in a different phase now, where resources are not as abundant, but the wealth of knowledge accumulated over the years is substantial. A conversation with a friend named JOHN often revolves around the promise that, when the next opportunity arises, I am determined to do something truly impactful.

Understanding life’s seasons is crucial – there are times of plenty and times of scarcity. Money comes and goes, and contentment becomes the anchor in navigating these diverse seasons. Paul’s words resonate deeply with me: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” It’s a reminder that true contentment isn’t contingent on external circumstances but is cultivated from within.

Personally, I express this sentiment as having learned to be content because I’ve experienced financial lows. Growing up without substantial wealth meant that the adjustment to financial challenges wasn’t the most devastating, but it was indeed a significant shift. Our financial status varies, but the key is to find contentment irrespective of the external circumstances.

In times of plenty or scarcity, another of Paul’s teachings echoes profoundly: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Regardless of the season, leaning on faith provides unwavering support and guidance.

Our journey concludes with the understanding that life’s diverse seasons, with their lessons and growth opportunities, contribute to a fulfilling and purposeful existence. Embracing the cyclical nature of life, finding contentment within, and drawing strength from faith lead to a meaningful journey.

Growing up in the culture, especially when influenced by hip-hop, can profoundly shape our values and priorities. For those of us who didn’t grow up with much, these influences can often steer us in the wrong direction. It’s not just harmful to us as individuals; it’s detrimental to us as business people. This is where the concept of the “bad teacher” comes in—how we’ve been shown the wrong path and how we continue to perpetuate it without realizing the damage we’re doing.

I remember, like it was yesterday, being at the park in Savannah. Someone would always be out there, sitting in their jeep with 15-inch woofers blaring the latest mixtape fresh from New York. That scene shaped me, just like it shaped so many of our children. The culture had a grip on us, making us fall in love with the wrong things. Your favorite rapper tells you about the cars, the jewelry, and the trips, and you start to idolize that lifestyle. There’s nothing inherently wrong with those things, but what’s missing is the other side of the conversation.

We don’t talk about financial literacy. We don’t discuss investments. We don’t learn how to start and run businesses or create generational wealth. It’s not just about blaming rappers; maybe they don’t know any better themselves. But that’s the problem. They’ve become bad teachers, and in turn, we’ve become bad stewards.

It’s time to change that narrative. We have social media at our disposal, a powerful tool that can help us reshape the culture and infuse it with financial literacy. Imagine the day when rappers start talking about how to set up a trust or how to leverage a business to buy a car and write it off as a tax deduction. That shift in focus could impact an entire generation.

Everyone might not take the information and run with it, and that’s fine. But it’s our responsibility to put the information out there as we learn it. My hope is that you’ll not only learn these principles but also apply them to stabilize your financial life. And once you’ve done that, teach them to others so that we can stop being bad teachers and bad stewards.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

I know for a fact that I sleepwalked through life, especially when it came to money and eating. Many of the things we do are simply habits formed in our upbringing. If we don’t actively change those patterns, they become ingrained in us, shaping our lives permanently. My mom used to cook Sunday dinners every day and Thanksgiving feasts on Sundays. If you’ve read my blogs or listened to my podcast, you’ve probably heard me mention this before. The problem was, even though I remained athletic, I wasn’t truly healthy.

I’ve always been the type to go all-in when I find something I like. Lately, it’s been these gluten-free chips with amazing calorie counts, dipped in red pepper hummus. Innocent, right? The only issue is that I was eating those chips and hummus every single day. I had to put myself on a routine—something I could stick to daily. I tried to eat 5 to 7 ounces of protein with 2 to 3 cups of veggies three times a day if possible, but at least twice a day. I also aim to eat fruit or smoothies throughout the day and walk three miles daily. It’s one of those things that’s simple to do but just as simple not to do.

Now, let’s talk about money. With money at our disposal, it’s easy to buy whatever catches our eye, whether it’s ordering from Amazon or throwing something into our shopping cart without a second thought. We tell ourselves, “I like it, I want it,” and before we know it, five years have passed, and all that unnecessary spending could have been invested in savings, the stock market, or even into a business.

The inspiration for this blog came from The Compound Effect. I love this book because it’s packed with wisdom, but the first time I attempted to read it, I had to put it down because it challenged me so much. I don’t want you to go through life unconscious like I did for so many years. Honestly, I’m fed up.

I’ve started my journey, and I want to encourage you to start yours. Right now, I’m sitting in a park in downtown Los Angeles, California, eating juicy cantaloupe chunks, and finishing this message to you.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

I wanted to offers a powerful reminder that knowledge alone isn’t enough—it’s the application of that knowledge that truly makes a difference. You’re already on the right path by seeking wisdom from YouTube videos and Audible books, but it’s essential to ensure that the principles you’re learning don’t just stay in your head but are put into practice.

By setting aside daily time for learning, you’re already showing discipline. But it’s equally important to reflect on whether you’re truly absorbing and applying these lessons in your life. Sometimes, it’s okay to pause and let the knowledge sink in before taking action. The key is to not just consume information but to act on it.

The real challenge is to translate that knowledge into actionable steps and have the discipline to follow through. Without action, the knowledge you gain won’t bear fruit. Keep pushing forward, stay disciplined, and remember that every step you take brings you closer to your goals. This blog is meant to encourage you to not just learn but to act on what you learn. You’re on your way—keep going!

God Bless The Entrepreneur

Have you noticed how some people excel at what they do? They didn’t get there overnight; they put a discipline in place that is usually never seen. The type of discipline most people don’t talk about.

I knew content was a necessary part of my journey as an entrepreneur. I wouldn’t say that I’m naturally good at it, but I am putting the discipline in place. I take notes on my phone and develop complete thoughts, then go back and listen to them repeatedly. I do this consistently before I actually record. By the time I start talking into the camera, I’ve thoroughly thought it through and am ready to go. After recording, I immediately begin editing and add necessary inserts. Once that’s done, I put the titles on my calendar and upload daily to various social media platforms. I don’t use a scheduler right now because I want to experiment with different titles and captions. I need to understand each platform better before I eventually use a content schedule and delegate the task. But right now, this discipline is a crucial part of the process.

I became more efficient once I brought on a social media strategist. It took discipline to show up to the meetings and to implement the strategies I was taught. I realized that we don’t know what we don’t know, so I took that discipline and turned it into action. One thing about discipline is that over time, you will see the results. I watch the numbers go up—sometimes in a big way and sometimes just slightly. When something is doing well, I pour more into it. The process requires patience.

Are you ready to put in the discipline needed to achieve your goals?

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

Obedience to God is about living by the teachings, commandments, and guidance from the spirit of God.

Before we dive in, let’s clarify obedience. I created a shirt that says “obey God” . It is a daily call to action. This saying is a reminder that following God isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. We, as humans, live in time, but God exists in eternity, seeing the big picture.

As King Solomon wisely said, “Commit your ways to the Lord, and he will guide you.” Almost every day, I find myself giving my plans to God. I can be ambitious, but remembering God is the boss of my life lets Him guide me where I need to be.

Relying on God, our good Shepherd, leads to amazing outcomes. Doing His perfect will brings joy, and the journey of obedience is like sowing seeds—you reap what you sow. The harvest is ours just by being obedient and following His Word.

Think about Abraham’s journey, leaving his home without knowing where he was going. My move to Los Angeles had its tough moments, but comparing it to Abraham’s faith journey is humbling. He set a high standard as the father of our faith.

Staying close to God is crucial. Picture it like this: Jesus is the vine, God the Father is the caretaker, and we are the branches. Being connected to the vine brings fruitfulness. Let’s submit to God’s plan, bearing fruit that impacts others.

Commit to the journey of obedience. Trust that by giving your life to God, you become a force for good—a positive influence on the world around you.