Author: Henry Murphy

It’s interesting how we often reflect on life and say, “If I only knew what I know now.” As we grow, life reveals new lessons, and for me, one of those lessons was the importance of mentorship. While I had spiritual mentorship in my life, I never truly had business mentorship. I had inspiration from my uncle, an entrepreneur, when I was younger, but no one to specifically pour into me in that area.

I didn’t really begin tapping into entrepreneurship mentorship until I became an entrepreneur myself. At that point, I was so consumed with building the business that I didn’t prioritize being poured into. Eventually, I turned to books for guidance, but it took time to realize that I needed to learn from others and not just rely on myself. It also took time to understand that I had a responsibility to teach others what I knew. I hadn’t yet grasped that mentorship is a cycle—learning from others and passing on that knowledge is a beautiful process.

There came a moment when I realized that success isn’t just for yourself. True success comes from pouring into others and seeing what they can achieve, then watching them pass on what they’ve learned. Mentorship, by definition, is the act of advising or training someone, especially someone less experienced.

Mentorship is essential. If you can find someone in your city, on the phone, or through a program where you have access to consistent guidance, take that opportunity. It’s about having someone who pours into you and holds you accountable.

As John Wooden once said, “Mentoring is your true legacy. It’s the greatest inheritance you can give to others. It should never end; it’s what you get up every day to do—to teach and to be taught.”

I cringe when I think of the concept of going solo, because entrepreneurship wasn’t meant to be done alone. We were designed to be surrounded by people who can educate and elevate us. So, don’t go through life without a mentor, whether it’s spiritually, financially, in marriage, or in entrepreneurship.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

I remember one day practicing in the theater, performing in front of an empty room. It was just me, the stage, and the silence. No audience, no feedback—just me. That might sound strange to some, but for me, that’s where the real work happens. Practice isn’t about showing off; it’s about preparation. The performance comes later, but the true success is born in those quiet, unseen moments.

While I was rehearsing, a thought hit me: “The mind can hinder you or take you from glory to glory.”

It made me pause. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how our minds work to protect us—but sometimes that protection can feel more like limitation. You know, your mind will stop you from taking risks or pushing beyond your comfort zone because it’s afraid of failure or rejection. But here’s the catch—what we allow into our minds is what determines how far we go. It’s like what we eat. You can’t expect your body to perform at its best if you feed it junk, and the same goes for your mind.

I’ll be real with you—I love sitcoms. They’re my guilty pleasure. But after I’ve been watching for a few hours, something shifts. My mind feels drained, almost like it’s crying out for something more meaningful. Don’t get me wrong, downtime is important. We all need to unwind, but when two hours of entertainment turns into eight, that’s when I realize I’m in dangerous territory.

For me, it’s better if I turn on a documentary or listen to something that feeds my mind in a different way. Every day, I have a reminder on my calendar: Audible and YouTube. It’s a little nudge to myself that no matter what’s going on, I need to dive into a book or listen to a teaching from someone I admire. I try to make this a daily habit because I know how easy it is to let your mind coast on autopilot.

The truth is, your mind is like a sponge. It soaks up whatever you expose it to, and eventually, that’s what comes out. What we put in matters—because the input determines the output.

And it’s not just what we consume through media; it’s also about the people we’re around. I’ve realized how the conversations I have, the words spoken by those close to me, can shape my own thinking. If I’m around people who always speak doubt, who are quick to give up, that stuff rubs off. You start replicating that behavior without even realizing it.

That’s why I’m more intentional now about who I spend my time with and what I let into my mind. Protect your mind. Control the input. Because what you feed your mind will affect your creativity, your drive, and your inspiration.

I’ve learned that the mind can either be your greatest asset or your biggest obstacle. It can protect you, but it can also limit you. So, I challenge you—feed it the right things.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

I find myself almost self-sabotaging so many times. Recently, I came across a guy who was teaching about T-shirts, and he was very good—so good that it inspired me to be a better teacher. There were things he was teaching that I’d never done with my brand, and I realized I wanted to implement them in one of my other brands. I decided I was going to pay him to learn those techniques.

Let me get back to it. I’ve been going hard, always trying to get better. One morning, I woke up with this idea to do 30 days of teaching. The mistake I almost made? I wanted to stop creating content to prepare for this teaching series. I had to stop and ask myself, “What are you thinking, Henry? Continue doing what you’re doing—taking small, consistent steps and being faithful. Just add this to the mix. You can do both.”

Instead of stopping, I went down to the conference room, pulled out my whiteboard, and got to writing out 30 days of teaching. Honestly, I think I could make it almost 60 days. The goal is to get better at explaining things in simple terms. To take complex ideas and break them down, you need practice—you need to become a better communicator. And while striving to improve is honorable, it doesn’t mean I have to stop. It doesn’t mean I have to kill the momentum I’ve been building.

I just had to learn how to add to what I was already doing. Whatever you’re working on, stay consistent. Small, consistent steps win in the end because those steps never stop. They always improve over time. I wanted to be transparent about my thought process during this period and what I’ve been going through.

One more thing: for some reason, I was averaging over 600 views on TikTok, and suddenly, it dropped to about 250. I have no idea why the algorithm stopped pushing my content out—I’m still teaching the same things. That dip made me want to slow down and figure it out. But I don’t think that’s the answer. I think the answer is to stay consistent while I figure it out.

So that’s what I’m saying: keep doing what you’re doing, and find ways to improve as you go. On this journey of entrepreneurship, you’ve got this.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

Imposter syndrome is a real struggle for many, and for me, calling myself a coach was one of the hardest things I had to do. I never saw myself that way. It wasn’t until a good friend of mine, someone who worked closely with me at the compound, pointed it out. He said, “I’ve been watching you for years, and all you do is coach other people.” I hadn’t even realized it. I guess I never put a title to what I was passionate about.

I’ve always loved talking about entrepreneurship. It excites me—my whole demeanor changes. My voice goes from calm to fired up in about 2.3 seconds. I remember starting my podcast like it was yesterday, just sharing what I knew, hoping someone would learn from my experiences.

When I walked away from everything in obedience to God and moved to Los Angeles, coaching became my full-time job. That’s when the imposter syndrome hit. I didn’t feel qualified, even though deep down, I knew I had the experience. Imposter syndrome is that internal struggle where you feel like a fraud, even when you’re more than capable.

As I kept going, I realized I needed to narrow my focus. I didn’t want to be a jack-of-all-trades in business coaching. Yes, I have insights on a variety of topics, but I wanted to hone in on my niche—what I knew best. If you’re talking about running a print shop or running a brand from scratch, I’m your guy. That’s what I’ve done, that’s what I do, and that’s who I am. And along the way, I’m going to teach you the values and lessons that most people overlook but are essential to building a solid foundation.

Recently, I came up with an elevator pitch that sums up what I do:

“I empower entrepreneurs to build and grow apparel brands from The Ground Up, providing insights, strategies, and support to elevate their ideas into thriving businesses.”

I’ve come to realize that you’re only an imposter if you’re teaching something you haven’t lived or experienced. We don’t teach from theory; we teach from what we know. I wrote this to encourage you—coaching is valuable, and people need someone to lean on. And as you’re teaching, you’re also learning. So the next time imposter syndrome tries to creep into your life, remember: you are enough.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

In the dynamic world we navigate, the ability to anticipate and prepare for what lies ahead is an invaluable skill. This concept lies at the core of the “No Hesitation in Your Preparation” podcast, a journey into the mindset of foreseeing one’s path and acting with purpose.

1. The Power of Intentionality:
   Embracing a mindset of preparation means being intentional about where you’re heading. The podcast urges us to cultivate the ability to see our future, emphasizing that action invariably follows attention. Genuine individuals, the podcast suggests, reveal themselves through their deliberate movements.
2. Actions Speak Louder:
   It’s not just about talking the talk but walking the walk. The podcast encourages us to be doers, not just talkers – to embody our aspirations through tangible, intentional actions.
3. The Patience-Perseverance Balance:
   Learning and mastering a new skill set takes time. The podcast wisely advises us to be patient with ourselves while maintaining a relentless commitment to progress. Each day is an opportunity for growth, and consistent, intentional effort is the key.
4. Setting Goals with Purpose:
   Setting goals is crucial, but the podcast introduces a nuanced perspective – goals without expiration dates are not truly goals. It challenges us to define our aspirations within a timeframe, instilling a sense of urgency and purpose in our endeavors.

In essence, “No Hesitation in Your Preparation” is a call to action, an anthem for those who seek to transcend mere talk and embrace the deliberate, intentional path toward their goals. By marrying attention to action and infusing patience with persistence, we can navigate the complexities of learning and growth.

Remember, preparation is not just a step; it’s a mindset – a commitment to shaping your future intentionally. So, let the podcast be your guide, urging you to move with purpose, speak through your actions, and set goals that have the power to transform your life.

Listen to the podcast here.

Sometimes I wonder what it really means to be totally vulnerable. Does it mean talking about everything I’m going through, or sharing all the things my mind constantly processes? By definition, vulnerability is the willingness to expose oneself emotionally, to risk being hurt, misunderstood, or judged. Maybe the extent of vulnerability is up for debate, but one thing I know is that I’ve had to process a lot lately—especially with my eyesight.

It’s tough. By the grace of God, I’ve been able to keep building websites, tending to The Academy, and handling my business. From the outside looking in, it might seem like I’ve got everything together. My daughter sees me writing blogs and handling everything, and to her, it probably seems like I’m not going through much at all. I get it. It’s the grace of God.

I’m about 10 days out from surgery, and if I’m being honest, I expected things to be much better by now. But my eyesight is sort of the same, though now I see more light and more colors coming through. I’ve learned to use writing as my outlet, a way to refocus my attention. The other day, I wrote 11 blogs in two days, and it felt like a release—like the words were pouring out of me because I needed them to.

To be honest, I’m not sure if this blog will ever see the light of day. Maybe I won’t post it, or maybe I will. Not because someone else might be going through the exact same thing, but because maybe they’re going through something of their own. Maybe they need to hear this.

Last night, I sat at my desk and looked into the mirror. I could barely see myself. It does something to you, you know? I could make out a figure, but not clearly. It’s been a tough journey—one that I wouldn’t have chosen—but I remind myself that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. I can feel His presence with me, guiding me, comforting me through it all.

And in that, I find peace.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

This is a thought I find myself coming back to often: where I am right now versus where I want to be. I believe we should all carry this tenacity to strive for better. If we have the ability to be better, we should make it a priority.

In my entrepreneurial journey, there are goals and ambitions I haven’t yet reached. But one thing I’ve learned is that the key to getting there is to give it your all right where you are, while keeping the vision of where you want to go front and center.

Right now, one of my biggest struggles is getting back to eating better. I’ve done well in certain seasons, but it’s like this bad habit keeps creeping back. This has shown me how vital it is to set routines in place that last a lifetime, especially the ones that affect our health and overall well-being.

Routines are the repeated actions or practices that help us shape our days, our progress, and ultimately our lives. When we have strong, consistent routines, they become the framework that supports our success.

What triggered me to write today was waking up feeling sluggish. The cause? What I ate last night: shrimp fried rice and chicken breast from Popeyes. It wasn’t a huge portion, but it didn’t sit well with me. Too much sodium, too much grease. My body felt weak, and I could feel the effects of straying from healthier habits. That moment reminded me how critical it is to have good routines in place, especially around food.

The food I’ve been eating lately is in direct contradiction to where I’m trying to go in my business and life. So I’m putting a meal plan in place—something that I can follow not just for a few weeks or months, but for a lifetime. This isn’t about a quick fix; it’s about building consistency in every area of my life, including what I put in my body.

If you’re reading this and going through the same, you are not alone. Most of us didn’t grow up eating healthy. It’s not an excuse, but it does present a hurdle. The good news is, we can get over it.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

Do you ever get that feeling that something in your life needs to change immediately? Your career, your finances—maybe even something you can’t quite put into words. I often find myself reflecting on moments in life that tip us in a new direction. The truth is, sometimes the scale can tip us in the wrong direction, but today we’re focusing on the positive. If you haven’t experienced it yet, I promise, if you live long enough, you will.

A tipping scale for me that pushed me closer to God came through a serious series of events. I was around shootings—not directly involved, but close enough to be impacted. These experiences can traumatize you fairly quickly. I can recall two separate shootings that happened within two weeks. My car was even shot up with me and my son inside. I could go on, but you get the picture. I know God used these events to push me closer to Him because the truth is, I could’ve died in any of them.

Another tipping scale for me, especially when it came to finances, was when my family and I had to stay at my grandma’s house. During that time, I got a good job with decent pay, but my focus was on budgeting so I’d never end up in that position again. I remember stacking money, buying everything we’d need for a new home in cash, and storing it in the garage. When we finally moved, I made sure wherever we chose to live, it would be affordable alongside all the other expenses we had to manage.

I’ve experienced many tipping scales in business, but the one that stands out today was when we were at the Remax building. We had a lot of offices, and I could’ve stayed there, but it just didn’t make sense—organizationally or financially. I needed one roof, a space we could call our own, something that was unapologetically ours. The process of going from room to room to remember where everything was got old quick. I started searching for new buildings, and when I found the right one, I knew. Making that move was one of the best feelings in the world.

Your tipping scale might not look like mine. It might not be as dramatic. It could be so small that you almost miss it. But pay attention. Don’t overlook the tipping scales in your life. When they tip in the right direction, they can change your life and give you the momentum you need to reach your goals.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

Get it done. This fight within me is inspired by God. I believe that God will heal me, but even if He doesn’t, I won’t use that as an excuse in my life. It’s hard to push through some days, but the truth is, even without ailments, some days are just hard to push through.

It makes me think of so many people who push through despite the challenges they face.

If we’re talking about my eye situation, Amelia Earhart and Stevie Wonder come to mind. Earhart defied the odds, achieving greatness in a field dominated by men, and she never let societal expectations or fear hold her back. Stevie Wonder, despite being blind, revolutionized music with his extraordinary talent and perseverance. And then there’s a list of others—many we know and countless we don’t. They all inspire me.

It feels like my journey is not just for me, but for other people too. We all have a story that can motivate someone else, and that’s a win. The key is submitting your life to God. That means surrendering everything to Him, letting Him lead you in the direction He created for you. This is a process, and it can’t be faked—God knows everything. Someone in your building, your neighborhood, your job, or your business needs you at your best, so believe that no matter the circumstance.

At this moment, I live by a screenshot. That means most days it’s hard for me to read a social media post, operate an app, or do the things I used to do without taking a screenshot. But I’m grateful that I can still write these blogs, do my podcast, run The Ground Up Academy, and speak into other people’s lives. Regardless of the obstacles, we must find a way to get it done. You know my mantra: make moves or make excuses.

God has a plan for your life if you submit to Him. I pray for grace and abundance in your walk. If you’re not submitted, I hope today is the day you start.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to get caught up in the allure of shiny new things. For me, it was a trip to the Apple Store in Los Angeles that brought this realization front and center. Seeking new earplugs for my AirPods Pro, I found myself surrounded by the latest gadgets and innovations, each one tempting me to deviate from my focus.

As I explored the store, my mind flooded with desires that I had deliberately set aside for the sake of staying on task. The struggle between the immediate gratification of acquiring new gadgets and maintaining discipline was palpable. I had to remind myself: “Needs over once.” This simple mantra became my anchor, grounding me in the purpose behind my six-month journey to build a new skill set.

The turning point came when I revitalized my AirPods Pro with new earpieces. Walking through downtown Los Angeles, engrossed in the newfound clarity of sound, I momentarily lost sight of my primary objective. A stumble on the sidewalk brought me back to reality, and as I regained my balance, I realized my AirPods Pro were missing. The initial panic set in, but I swiftly reminded myself of the mantra: needs over once.

Despite the desire to replace them immediately, I resisted the urge. The lesson became clear: there’s a time for indulgence and a time for focus. I had to accept the loss and continue on my path, understanding that material possessions, no matter how beloved, shouldn’t derail the journey towards personal growth.

The incident served as a metaphor for the broader challenge of balancing immediate desires with long-term goals. The temptation to indulge in the latest gadgets was a reminder that distractions can come in many forms. It underscored the importance of resilience, discipline, and the ability to prioritize needs over momentary wants.

In the end, the lost AirPods Pro became more than a misplaced possession; they became a symbol of self-discipline and a testament to the power of staying focused on the bigger picture. So, the next time the allure of instant gratification tugs at your senses, remember: “Needs over once.” Stay focused on your journey, and you might find that the things you thought you needed were just distractions along the way.