Author: Henry Murphy

Understanding the importance of financial literacy is a journey many entrepreneurs embark on. In my experience, reaching six figures in revenue marked a significant milestone, but it wasn’t synonymous with building wealth. Like you, I realized the need for financial literacy.

Navigating the intricacies of wealth creation is challenging when you lack resources and guidance. Peer discussions often revolved around business operations and making money, but rarely delved into future planning like trust and estate considerations.

I too grappled with an old mindset, investing cash into a safe at a storage facility I still was struggling with the mentality of a street hustler.

It wasn’t until a slowdown forced reflection that I dove into financial literacy, realizing the wealth of information available. Learning about stocks, becoming an owner in other companies, and refining tax strategies were eye-opening.

While hindsight reveals missed opportunities, it’s crucial not to be too hard on oneself; it’s all part of the learning process. Your challenge to explore how to invest $100,000 and later $1 million is the homework for you. You need to be very clear on how and where you will put that money to continue to make money. There’s nothing worse than having the money and not knowing what to do with it.

The goal is to create passive and portfolio income, allowing money to worfor you while you sleep. Let’s embark on this journey of financial literacy together, making informed choices that lead to lasting wealth.

Are you sitting on a million-dollar idea? I’m sure you are. Most people don’t struggle with ideas or dreams; they struggle with believing in themselves. It’s not the lack of creativity that holds us back—it’s the lack of confidence. But I’m here to tell you, you can do it. If God gave you that dream, then that dream is worthy of being lived out.

I don’t like to focus solely on the money aspect of our ideas because I believe they’re far greater than that. But let’s not overlook the fact that great ideas often carry a wealth aspect within them. The challenge is not in the dream itself but in our belief that we can bring it to life.

It’s easy to get distracted by looking at what’s happening in the marketplace, comparing ourselves to others. But when we do that, we lose sight of the uniqueness that God has placed within us. We’ve all heard it before, but don’t skip past the truth of it: you are uniquely equipped for the dream inside of you.

Believe in everything God has given you to do. He has endowed you with the capacity to live out that dream; now, it’s up to you to push it into the world. If you’ve followed my blogs, you know I’ll always tell you to submit that dream back to God and let Him direct your steps. Plant the seed, water it, and be patient, because the harvest will come.

After reading this, there’s no reason for that million-dollar baby to stay locked inside your mind. It’s time to nurture it, believe in it, and let it grow.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

Let’s be honest—trying to do it all can leave us spinning our wheels, never truly getting anything done. I’ve been there—scattered, everywhere, trying to tackle a million things, but missing out on what really matters.

Let me be super transparent for a moment. I often found myself distracted by my heart for helping other entrepreneurs. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but it became an issue when it started pulling me away from what was on my own agenda. I used to wonder if I was self-sabotaging by focusing on others instead of what I needed to do. It felt like I was skipping the deep work required to truly progress.

In order to get real work done, you need time and focus. Yet, if someone needed something that fit my expertise, I was quick to take on the project. Now imagine doing that three or four times a week. As you can imagine, I never got things done. I had to stop, reevaluate, and get selfish with my time, focusing on what I needed to do.

I hope you can learn from my experience. There’s nothing wrong with helping others, but if it’s stopping you from achieving your own goals, that’s a problem. You can actually be a better help to them if you’re the best version of yourself in that season.

It’s time to draw a line in the sand. Be intentional about fulfilling what God has called you to do. If you’re feeling scattered, it’s a sign to focus. Get selfish with your time. Let people know, “I can’t do that right now,” and mean it. If you want to become who you’re meant to be, you have to get serious about where you invest your energy.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

When you first get started—or even if you’re in the middle of your journey—it’s all about doing whatever it takes to accomplish the goal. If you have to learn new technology, so be it. If you need to figure out how to edit videos, operate a new podcast system, or upgrade your phone from Android to iPhone to be more efficient and build a better ecosystem, then that’s what you’ve got to do. By all means necessary.

Sometimes, it’s just about starting. But it’s also about doing whatever it takes and learning whatever you need to learn to do the thing you know you’re supposed to be doing. If you’re shy and don’t want to get in front of a camera, then your ‘why’ is the thing that’s going to ground you and push you to create the content necessary to put out on your social media channel and make yourself findable. If you don’t know how to edit a video, that means you’re going to find the best app you can and start editing where you are. You don’t have to be an expert, but you do have to try.

If your desire is to start a podcast but you don’t know how to work the equipment, then it’s time for a deep dive into YouTube videos. Learn how to work the microphone, figure out how to use the Rodecaster Pro—whatever it takes. The important thing is to get the journey started.

This is not something you can delegate in the beginning because you need to build the infrastructure yourself. You have to get some type of understanding. Now, once you’ve got a general grasp of what you’re doing and have the resources in place, then sure, you can delegate. You can even delegate from the start if you have a clear understanding of what you want and how it should look.

My mantra for many years has been ‘make moves or make excuses,’ and that means that no matter what obstacles are in the way or what I need to learn, I’m going to do whatever it takes to make it happen—by all means necessary. There’s already going to be adversity on your journey; don’t put roadblocks in your own way.

I heard Myron Goldin share a story about his father that really stuck with me. They were working on a car, trying to get a bolt loose. No matter what they did, the bolt just wouldn’t budge. Myron told his dad, “I guess we won’t get it loose.” His dad replied, “Oh, it’s gonna come out.” Then he asked Myron, “Do you know why?” Myron replied, “Why?” His dad said, “Because we have a mind, and it doesn’t.

So, I’m echoing that message to you: You have a mind, therefore you can do anything. Just put in the work.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

In the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, stands a building we fondly called the compound—a space brimming with creativity and purpose. It housed not just offices, but a vibrant game room, a buzzing conference room, a kitchen filled with shared laughter, and various rooms dedicated to the hustle. Interns, podcasters, entrepreneurs—everyone found their place within its walls.

I vividly recall a day that etched itself into my memory. My friend Thi’sl proposed a pop-up at the compound. It was serendipitous, aligning with my vision of encouraging artists and brands to showcase their work in our dynamic space. Little did I know, this day would bring a message I didn’t realize I needed.

As Thi’sl engaged with the attendees, a mantra echoed—two simple words: slow down. I, immersed in my relentless pursuit, was capturing the moment on camera, driven by my passion for content creation. Yet, with each repetition of those words, a subtle conviction tugged at my heart.

In the midst of my ambitious endeavors, I dismissed the notion that God could be urging me to slow down. I thought, “Look at what we’re building here!” The irony lies in understanding that, while I was on the right path in one aspect, there was a need for adjustment in another.

God’s will for my life remained, but the method required a shift. Reflecting on that day, I realize how we can excel in one area of obedience while missing the mark in another. It’s a reminder to seek His face continually, ensuring obedience in every facet of life.

This blog serves not only as my reflection but as a timely message for anyone resonating with the need to slow down. Amid the hustle, taking a pause to spend time with God, to reflect, and to ponder becomes a precious gift. In our relentless pace, we often forget to stop and think.

So, if you find yourself in a season demanding a slowdown, embrace it. Let this serve as a nudge to seek the stillness that brings clarity. May this piece find its way to those who need it, encouraging you to heed the call to slow down and align with God’s perfect timing.

I started my brand, Unapologetic Urban Gear, in 2013. When you first start a brand, you often don’t know much of anything. Most of the time, you’re just guessing. You lack infrastructure and have no idea where to print t-shirts, who to approach for graphic design, or how to structure your business. You don’t understand your brand story or your ‘why.’ You have no clue about trademarking or even what files are necessary to create a quality product.

If you’re fortunate enough to find a good mentor or join a great program, you’ll quickly understand that brand reputation is everything. I want to focus particularly on the fashion aspect of this. Specifically, how your clothing holds up over the years.

I was having a conversation with a friend about DTF (Direct to Film). While I believe DTF has its place—such as printing clothes for models, creating content, or conducting interviews—I don’t think it’s suitable for the long run. Some may disagree with me, but I’m not willing to take that chance. I love seeing people who bought a shirt from me five years ago, and it still looks as good as it did when I sold it to them. This is because I used quality screen printing or screen print transfers with a quality industrial heat press. There’s a difference—don’t get a cheap one.

I tested the product rigorously, washing and wearing it repeatedly. I also always told my customers how to care for the garment properly—wash cold and hang dry. If they follow these instructions, the garment should last for quite a while and be worth the investment every single time.

So, my advice is: don’t take shortcuts in your business, especially if you know better. There will be times when you unknowingly take shortcuts. But when it comes to DTF, I think it works well in the short term, but I would never coach someone or suggest to my students at The Ground Up Academy to sell it to their customers. Why? Because brand reputation is everything.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

As an avid book reader, I make it a point to read at least one book a week. A friend recently asked me how I manage to retain all that information. My response was straightforward: I don’t retain all of it. In fact, it’s impossible to do so. Instead, I collect valuable nuggets from each book. By keeping my books on Audible, I can revisit them anytime, discovering new insights with each listen.

One of my favorite books is “Crushing It!” by Gary Vee. He was the first to introduce me to the idea of not relying solely on one platform. It’s a common trap, especially when you’re thriving on a particular platform. You might think you can stay there and dominate, but that limits your reach to just a small segment of the marketplace.

Despite hearing Gary Vee’s advice, it took me years to truly understand and implement it. Now, I ensure my presence across multiple platforms. Every day, I post on YouTube Shorts, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), my Facebook business page, my Facebook personal page, and Instagram. My mission is to be everywhere, every single day, alongside these daily blogs.

I’ve come to realize that digital real estate is everything, and content is king. You’ve heard me say this before: the more we post quality content, the better we become. I’m talking about content that educates and inspires, content that people bookmark and share. Bookmarks and shares excite me more than likes because they indicate that people find the content valuable enough to revisit.

Creating such content is not easy, but it is achievable. The key is to focus on constant improvement and not be overly concerned about the number of followers. Quality followers—those genuinely interested in what you have to say—are far more valuable than a large quantity of passive ones. If you have a thousand dedicated followers, that’s a thousand people engaging with your content every single day. Don’t underestimate the significance of that.

When was the last time you spoke to a thousand people in your city? Social media enables us to do this daily. So, if you have a thousand people checking in with you each day, that’s huge.

Remember, different people prefer different platforms. This is why you must show up on every platform you can. It doesn’t have to be daily, but whatever schedule you set, be consistent and faithful to it. Start small, build your infrastructure, and grow it into something amazing.

I hope this blog encourages you.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

I’ve been grappling a lot about my worth when it comes to my coaching. It’s funny how that works because I know the advice that I offer works. I’ve done it in my own business. I don’t take on clients that don’t align with my expertise. If we do that, then we are not being great coaches.

Now, let me get back to “Hard to Digest.” It is hard for me to digest the value that people see in me. Can anyone relate to that? I undercut myself a lot on what I should charge. I feel like sometimes I am afraid to speak out boldly about what I’m worth and be okay with anyone who doesn’t accept that price. When people tell me, “Hey, this is where your price should be because this is your value in the marketplace,” it’s hard to digest for me. Ironically, I tell people this all the time. I can look at someone and see their worth, or I can be coaching them through something and see their worth. I say, “Hey, this is the price that you need to charge for such and such.” And it’s amazing to me how, when the tables are turned, it’s hard for us to accept our value.

I decided to write this blog because I don’t want to be on that rollercoaster anymore. I want to always establish what I’m worth in the marketplace and stand on whatever price I decide to go with. Period.

If I were coaching somebody who was a brand owner, and they were buying some of the best garments the marketplace had to offer, if their printing was amazing, if they were doing hem tags, inside neck tags, hang tags, and packaging, I could look at that product and say, “Hey, you really need to be at $150 for that hoodie.” Why? Because that hoodie has value. All the time and effort it took to make that hoodie what it is, is worth it.

I’m at the point in my life now where I have to know my worth and stick to my guns when it comes to what I charge in the marketplace. I will always continue to encourage people to do the same. We should not live beneath what we are worth, especially if we put the work in.

Now, I can see somebody who is not putting the work in, that they don’t come to the marketplace and charge outrageous prices with nothing to back up their value. But for everyone who has put in the work, you deserve to be at that price.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

I was walking home from the coffee shop today, coming down the street in Los Angeles. You can hear horns blaring, people talking, construction happening in the background—all the typical city sounds. Amidst this cacophony, something pierced my heart.

Ever since I became an entrepreneur, I was trying to prove my worth. I never knew it until today. Where did this come from? So I started backtracking and thinking, making sure I wasn’t overreacting to the thought.

As an entrepreneur, I often felt that when I was working and taking care of my family, I wasn’t making enough money. Every day at my job, I felt like I could be doing more, doing better. When I left my job in 2011 and became an entrepreneur, I made my salary and then doubled it. It’s funny—it was then that I began to see my worth.

As I kept making more money, I felt like I had to prove myself more and more. In certain seasons, I should have stayed the course and focused on one thing, making it the best it could be. But I didn’t. Walking down the street today, I realized that I kept posting everything I was doing, chasing the next big accomplishment as soon as I achieved something. This happened repeatedly for almost a decade.

For the past few years, I’ve been more in the background, working on things, building from the ground up. I’ve been more of a content creator, encouraging people through podcasts, posts, blogs, and videos rather than shouting, “Hey, look at me, this is what I’m doing.”

To be transparent, I think I was feeling this way partly because my dad never really came to see what I was building in Atlanta, Georgia. Could that have been part of me trying to prove my value? I don’t know right now, but I will keep pondering it. If that is the case, I will write about it again soon.

I just want to say to everyone reading this: you don’t have to prove your worth. You are worthy. No one has to confirm you. God has already confirmed you and made you unique. Just be you.

God Bless The Entrepreneur. Have