Author: Henry Murphy

Have you ever been in a season of life where you felt like you were absolutely killing it? I’ve had plenty of moments like that as an entrepreneur. But then, after taking a step back, I realized, “Man, I could have done a lot more. I could’ve been so much better.” Now, understand that I’m seasoning this statement with grace because I truly believe in giving yourself grace. But if you’ve ever read my book God Bless The Entrepreneur: The First Decade, you know I’ve been transparent about moving on to the next thing too quickly.

Looking back, I began to see that what I was doing should have been executed at 100%, but I was operating well below that mark. Money can fool you. Sometimes, when the cash is rolling in, you think that’s the only indicator that you’re killing it. But that’s not always true.

When I think about “deep work,” here’s what I mean. I’m giving you a glimpse because this really could be an entire chapter in a book, but I’ll try to keep it brief. I was working on the SMS text marketing journey for my customers and realized I could have put so much more effort into the copy, more into split A/B testing, and I could have synced social media with text marketing better. The fact that I grew my list past 10,000—back then, you couldn’t tell me anything! But in reality, that 10,000 should have been 50,000 with the right effort.

That’s when you know you could’ve gone deeper. You could’ve spent more time on the thought process and connected with your customers in a different way. And don’t even get me started on segmentation. I could have changed the game with better segmentation. As a brand owner, you’re often left with scattered sizes of inventory. Since we were doing so well with text marketing, I could’ve sent individual size updates directly to people who had purchased that size before. For example, if we had 20 smalls left, I didn’t have to leave that out there for everyone to see on the website. I could’ve hidden it and sent a direct link with a crazy discount to all the customers who had ordered smalls in the past. The public would’ve never known, and I would’ve cleared that inventory.

These are just a few examples from one segment of my business. The point is, don’t rush the process. Be willing to do the deep work. Start with your ‘why,’ then move to your brand story, your brand identity, and so on. All of it matters. All of it counts.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

In the journey of personal and professional growth, our capacity – the ability to receive, understand, and apply knowledge – plays a pivotal role. An open mind allows the flow of wisdom, fostering continuous learning and development.

Capacity refers to the mental or physical ability to absorb, comprehend, and utilize information effectively. It’s the reservoir that, when open, enables us to embrace new ideas, experiences, and insights.

Wisdom, on the other hand, is the ability to apply knowledge judiciously and make sound decisions. It’s not just about acquiring facts but understanding the deeper implications and nuances of life.

Being receptive to diverse perspectives and surrounding ourselves with wise individuals expands our capacity to understand, adapt, and thrive. Solomon’s insight, “there is safety in the multitude of counsel,” underscores the idea that wisdom grows exponentially when shared.

Don’t cap your capacity. Embrace the multitude of counsel, let wisdom pour in, and watch your life flourish with newfound understanding and productivity.

If you’re anything like me, there are moments in life when you feel like you’ve got this. Money is coming in, business is thriving, and everything seems to be on cruise control. In those seasons, we might think we’ve made it and that this is how life should be. However, as I get older, I’ve come to realize that this is just a very, very small portion of life; it is not the be-all and end-all. I believe we must face challenges to truly appreciate this perspective. I’ve been through my share of struggles, and I know more will come because my goal in life is to surrender my world to God every day.

If given a choice, we would likely opt for comfort. Let’s face it: nobody enjoys being uncomfortable. As I navigate my day—whether talking to potential clients, connecting with my network, or spending time with my wife—I’ve realized that while all these relationships are valuable, there’s nothing quite like my time with God.

I remember when I was younger, I often wondered how people could spend so much time with God. It seemed like a lot. But over time, I’ve come to understand the necessity of that connection. I feel like Charles Spurgeon, needing Him morning by morning and evening by evening. I take moments to pause, thank Him, and acknowledge how much I appreciate that my life is in His hands. Whatever He wants to do with it, I’m open to it because He is the Creator and Sustainer of life.

We all need a healthy reverence for God. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but I strive not to live outside of His will whenever possible. I enjoy spending time in His Word, as it offers both encouragement and conviction—I believe we need both.

I love how Lecrae captures this sentiment in his song: “I need Him from morning to morning. I need Him to fight the opponent. I need Him to get where I’m going, the power that moves every mountain.” It’s such a profound reminder. I don’t want to spend a day without Him.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

I’ll be honest: my passion for entrepreneurship is at a 13 on a scale of 1 to 10. I can be intense when talking about it. Even when I was at my lowest, when people said I needed to get a job, I was thinking to myself, “What I’m working on will produce more in two hours than what most college graduates with a master’s degree make in a month.” I know it looks crazy; heck, it might even look stupid. But in my heart, I know it will work. I’ve seen it work before. After dedicating over 20 years to working for someone else while raising my kids, I believe entrepreneurship is something God-given. It’s tough, and it’s not for the faint of heart.

You’ve heard me say this many times, whether in my blogs or on social media: you really have to push through adversity. Not everyone can handle that, and it doesn’t mean they are failures. It just means they have to be open to enduring the tough times that will come their way.

Listen, I’m the person who will tell you: if you really want this, keep your job and be faithful at it. But if you have a family, when the kids go to bed, you better dedicate four hours every day while they’re sleeping. Sacrifice that sleep so you can work on your business. I share this because when the opportunity for entrepreneurship arises, depending on what you do, you might be giving your job 8 to 12 hours each day. You need to create a rhythm that allows you to transition seamlessly into that role. Use that time wisely to build your business.

Some people dive in headfirst—I know because I did. At the time, my business was only making about $250 a month. Crazy, maybe, but it worked for me. However, I suggest having at least six months to a year’s worth of savings if possible. It takes time to get things going. But once you get it rolling and build that machine, you can accomplish something amazing.

It’s been over a decade for me, and honestly, I’m okay with being misunderstood. I don’t really care what people think about my passion because I don’t just talk about it—I live it. For me, this isn’t just a job; it’s what I love to do, and money is just a byproduct of my passion. I wrote this for those who may be pursuing entrepreneurship and feel unsupported by those around them. I’m cheering for you, along with other entrepreneurs around the world, letting you know that you can do this. If it’s burning in your heart, you need to pursue it.

You’ve heard me say it before, and I’ll say it again: entrepreneurs are the backbone of society. We are the go-getters, the innovators, and the risk-takers.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

Maybe it was on the rooftop in Los Angeles overlooking the city, or perhaps it hit me on the plane from LA to Atlanta, or while sitting on the back porch of my daughter’s house, sipping coffee. Either way, the truth remains: I don’t have nothing to prove.

I recently relaunched my brand, Unapologetic, and that’s where it all started to resonate in my heart. I had some success with this brand, but I know I didn’t give it everything that was in me. I could’ve poured so much more into it. Before writing this blog, I thought about all the insightful things I wanted to do for the relaunch, and then it hit me.

I know it could have impacted people in a more significant way. I know it had an effect because people still ask me about it, and they continue to wear the merchandise.

I’ve grown in my faith, and I’m past the point of telling people to sit back and watch what I do. That mindset is elementary for me now. I shut down my business 2 ½ years ago, and while that might sound crazy to some, I believe in my heart that this was what God was telling me to do. In hindsight, I see why I had to do it, even if it didn’t make sense to me at the time. Obedience rarely makes sense in the beginning.

The first time I launched my brand, I faced doubts from people about concepts inspired by the Word of God. They didn’t feel it was something they could buy into, and I felt the need to prove myself. I wanted to show them that these ideas came from God and that they would work. I said, “You don’t believe me? Just watch and see.”

But I’ve grown past that mindset. I remember when one of the disciples told Jesus that they had seen some followers who weren’t part of their group and wanted to rebuke them. Jesus said, “Don’t rebuke them, for if they are not against us, then they are for us.” That’s exactly how I feel about the faith-based apparel business. If others are promoting God and believe this is what they’re supposed to do, then there’s fruit in that—or at least the potential to bear fruit. That’s the most important thing here.

So while I don’t have anything to prove to anyone else, I do want to prove something to myself. I want to show that I can focus, take an idea or concept, and make it so much more impactful. I want my clothing drops to inspire—not just to be clothing drops, but to encourage creativity and a life lived for God.

Since 2013, my mantra for Unapologetic has been “Faith and fashion for us.” This statement rings true, and if God gives me the grace and direction, I know it will be something amazing that impacts people for generations to come.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

When most people hear the phrase “tunnel vision,” they think of someone being laser-focused, blocking out distractions to accomplish their goals. And as an entrepreneur, having that kind of tunnel vision can be essential at times. But the type of tunnel vision I’m talking about is a bit different than what you might expect—I’m talking about being *legally blind*. 

Some days are tougher than others because some days, things are a bit blurrier. As an entrepreneur, my job revolves around being on social media, handling websites, emails, and an endless flow of text messages. Research and decision-making come with the territory of running a business, and most of that requires my eyes. 

I’ll never forget the day I was at the eye doctor, and she said, *“You don’t have vision in your right eye anymore. We can save the left eye, but you will be legally blind.”* I braced myself, thinking that hearing those two words—*legally blind*—would impact me negatively. But instead, I felt something unexpected: gratefulness.

Grateful that I could still see something, that I could still function and continue my work. And to be honest, people who are completely blind have accomplished incredible things. But for me, knowing that I had some degree of sight was a reminder to not use my condition as an excuse, but as an opportunity. Life had taught me a valuable lesson: when you come close to losing something as precious as your eyesight, it changes you. It makes you realize that every moment counts.

It’s not that who I was before wasn’t good enough—but losing sight, even partially, pushes you to become better. On days when I can’t quite make out people’s faces, even when I’m standing right in front of them, or when I’m watching TV with my wife and struggle to make out the characters on the screen—I remain grateful.

I’m not sharing this as a sob story, but as a reminder: don’t take anything for granted. Live life fully. Enjoy every moment and make sure you’re doing what you love, because life is fleeting. The Word of God says life is like a vapor. So, do something meaningful with the life you’ve been given.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

I went back and forth about using the word “trash,” but honestly, it perfectly captures just how rough most of us are when we first start putting content out there consistently. No one begins as an expert, especially on social media. When I talk to people about creating content, no one is jumping out of their seat saying, “I love it! I love being in front of the camera!” No, it’s quite the opposite. Most people dread it—they feel like they’re talking to themselves, and some even wonder, “Does anyone even care?” 

But here’s the thing: if you’re an entrepreneur, social media is mandatory. It’s your chance to be findable, to build social proof, and to let people know you’re not just a business but a real person. They get to tap into your personality, your values, and your brand. And that’s a huge advantage, even if your content is trash at first. 

But, here’s the good news: we all get better over time. Whether you’re trying to lose weight or improve your content, day 365 will look worlds apart from day one if you put in the work. The same thing goes for content creation. You might feel awkward and unsure at first, but with consistency, you’ll see real improvement. And let’s be real: we live in a world where social media is no longer optional for most businesses. Offline interactions matter too, but your online presence has to be there. Only a handful of companies can afford not to be on social media, and one of the rare examples is Lush. They actually got off social media because it was interfering with what they promote—disconnecting from the digital world and focusing on personal well-being. It aligned with their message and made sense for their brand to leave.

Social media is always evolving, but I want to give you a rough social media schedule to follow based on the best posting times for Facebook, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok. Keep in mind these times change frequently, and you’ll need to experiment to find what works best for your specific audience and content.

Suggested Posting Times:

• Facebook: Tuesday to Thursday, 1 PM – 3 PM
• LinkedIn: Tuesday and Thursday, 8 AM – 10 AM
• Instagram: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 11 AM – 1 PM
• X (formerly Twitter): Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 AM – 11 AM
• TikTok: Tuesday to Thursday, 9 AM – 12 PM

Pick one platform and start practicing until you build up the ability to create and post consistently on all of them. It won’t happen overnight, but with time and persistence, you’ll get there. I’m rooting for you, and I know you’ve got this!

God Bless The Entrepreneur

Obeying God often sparks a profound internal struggle, questioning what it truly costs to follow His will. Yet, with the passage of time and the grace of God, the realization dawns that the challenges were not mere losses but a refining process.

Understanding God’s character is paramount; He is the good Shepherd guiding us along the path He has set for our lives. Despite the pain and apparent losses, it’s crucial to see beyond human perspectives tainted by past hurts. God, being faithful and incapable of lying, has a purpose for each life. Obedience unveils His plan, a journey marked by both joy and challenges.

Reflecting on personal experiences, such as the journey with Unapologetic Urban Gear, underscores the importance of surrender. Sacrificing what seems thriving and prosperous can lead to resurrection beyond imagination. Realizing that obedience aligns with a greater purpose, even in the face of external skepticism, speaks to the essence of a genuine relationship with God.

The story of laying down a flourishing business in 2021, despite financial success and external validation, exemplifies the challenges obedience may pose. Choosing to trust God’s guidance over worldly logic is a testament to a deep, unshakeable connection with the Divine. It challenges the notion of what is considered wise or foolish by societal standards.

A true relationship with God, marked by trust and obedience, becomes a compass navigating life’s pivots. Transparency about the struggle in making such decisions is a reminder that the external world may not always understand the internal callings of the spirit. The journey of faith is often solitary, filled with moments where one’s obedience seems perplexing to onlookers.

Ultimately, the narrative emphasizes the necessity of obedience, urging individuals to discern God’s voice amidst the noise of the world. Testing the spirits becomes a crucial step, ensuring that the call to surrender and obey is indeed inspired by God. The story serves as a compelling reminder that, in life’s intricate design, obedience to God is the thread that weaves purpose, faith, and ultimately, the joy of the Lord into every season.

I don’t know if you’ve experienced this, but there are times when my content is flowing, my ideas are coming effortlessly, and then, out of nowhere, I hit a brick wall. It’s that feeling where everything was smooth, and then suddenly, it all just stops. Man, that feeling can make your heart sink. But here’s what I’ve come to realize: it’s okay when things start to feel a little stale. That’s often a sign that it’s time for a new outlook, a fresh perspective. It’s the perfect moment to switch things up.

I was talking with an associate about entrepreneurship, and while routines are important, sometimes you’ve got to know when it’s time to change them up for the better. That 5:30 AM start—getting up to pray, exercise, get your water in, and write down your thoughts—might serve you well in one season. But there might come a season where sleeping in until 9 AM is exactly what you need to recharge and reset. For me, there are times when working late at night unlocks my creativity in ways that just don’t happen during the day. 

After over a decade of entrepreneurship, I’ve learned that those changes in routine happen more often than you’d expect. And that’s not only okay—it’s necessary. Embracing the need for change can be the key to your next breakthrough.

I remember when I got my first office. I think I rearranged that space every two weeks! Moving my big desk, little refrigerator, tea bar, and cabinets a million different ways, just trying to make it feel new each time I walked in. Changing the pictures on the wall, shifting everything around—what I was really after was a fresh vibe, something that sparked new ideas every time I sat down to work.

So, here’s the takeaway: when things start to feel stale, be okay with making a change. That fresh perspective could be just what you need to unlock your next big idea.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

—

It’s about 7:55 PM, and the temperature is around 64° here in Los Angeles, California. As I gaze at the city and all the beautiful lights, I can’t help but thank God for this moment. Today, I re-launched the Unapologetic brand, and I’m genuinely excited about it. I wasn’t quite sure if it was God’s will, but I prayed, and then I moved forward. Every day, I ask that God guides my steps, because the truth is, we don’t know anything for sure. That’s why we seek Him daily.

If I’m honest, I’m feeling a bit conflicted. We’re about six days away from moving back to Atlanta, and I sense that God is leading us in that direction. My wife and I have reflected on all the amazing things God has done here in Los Angeles, and we are truly grateful. 

Earlier today, I went for a walk, heading to UPS with my little wagon loaded with three boxes weighing about 110 pounds. It’s close to a mile there and a mile back. When I arrived, my phone died while trying to create shipping labels. Oddly enough, I wasn’t upset. I asked if anyone had an iPhone charger, but the one they offered wasn’t the right kind. So, I loaded the boxes back up and started heading home. 

Despite the situation, I felt joyful. I love Los Angeles, and I was simply grateful for the walk. However, you can really feel the weight of those boxes on those uneven sidewalks. As I close my thoughts tonight, I want to express how thankful I am for my time in California. I pray that God will lead me back here one day if it’s His will because this place has truly found a spot in my heart. 

Life is a twisted journey, full of ups and downs. My advice to you: when God is moving, move with Him. Let Your will be done, Lord.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.