Author: Henry Murphy

Have you ever been doing something with great effort but felt like you were going nowhere? That could just be a feeling, or it could literally be your life. Consistency is good, but consistency without intentionality or direction is like walking on a treadmill. You’re getting exercise, but you’re not going anywhere. Let me give you a better example.

I remember recording a ton of content for Instagram and TikTok, but I was all over the place. I had no clear direction on what I wanted to talk about. Once I realized that I wanted to speak to entrepreneurs who owned e-commerce brands, my intentionality changed. I wasn’t so broad because in entrepreneurship, you can talk about a lot of things. But I wanted to be precise about who I was talking to and what I was talking about. When I did that, it just made more sense. Now, I’m only attracting the people I’m speaking to. Anyone else? They’re going to bypass me because it doesn’t apply to them.

Now, was my work ethic good? Yes, it was. I was recording, editing, posting, and I was proud of myself. And while that’s good, it was hustling backwards.

You need a clear direction for where you’re going, and everything you do needs to align with that direction. Everything on your calendar needs to make sense. The calendar is so important because if you’re operating without one, yes, you might have some good days, but that’s like shooting dice. You want some surety in where you’re going and how much effort you’re putting in every day. That’s what makes your consistency matter.

Any successful entrepreneur will tell you the difference between where they are and where you are is consistency and focused attention on what they’re doing day in and day out.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

You feel the weight of loneliness when trying to build something on your own. I’ve been there, and let me tell you it’s not a great feeling. When I first started my company, Z180 Radio, a lot was happening in my life. My wife and I were going through a rough patch, and during the building phase, we briefly separated. It was devastating, but I kept working around the clock, pouring everything I had into the business.

At the time, I didn’t know if we would reconcile, but I felt I had to keep pushing. Eventually, my wife and I got back together, but I was still juggling a full-time job and building the business behind the scenes. Then something shifted she started to believe in me and encouraged me even when things didn’t make sense. Her support was the catalyst I didn’t realize I needed.

Once she stepped in and supported the dream, it all started to come together. She handled the areas where I lacked, using her strengths to complement mine. Together, we turned my vision into our reality. Today, the future feels bright because we’re moving as one.

Our story isn’t unique. Lisa and Brian Sugar, for example, turned their complementary strengths into the foundation of PopSugar, now a massive media company. Julia and Kevin Hartz did the same with Eventbrite, proving that encouragement and teamwork can spark something extraordinary.

Being in business with your spouse is not always easy. It requires communication, patience, and a shared commitment to the bigger picture. But when both partners bring their unique strengths to the table and truly support one another, the results can be remarkable.

The journey is brighter when you’re not walking it alone.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

I remember like yesterday, I was 11 years old when I fell in love with The Karate Kid. I was just like Daniel. I didn’t understand why Mr. Miyagi was making him wax the car with “wax on, wax off” and paint the fence “up and down.” I thought to myself, probably just like most of you, he’s just using that little boy!And that’s exactly what Daniel thought too. “I’m doing all your work for you,” he said.

But what Mr. Miyagi was really doing was laying the foundation for Daniel to defend himself.

Foundation is everything. It’s the key to your business.

I’ve written about this before, but not with this approach. This week in The Ground Up Academy, at least three of my students had to change their business names because they didn’t understand what is needed in the foundation.

If you’re starting a brand, here’s my advice:

    •    Come up with three solid names you like.

    •    Then, go for the trademark.

Do not start building your logo, designing your website, or branding your apparel until you know you truly own that name. This is foundational. This step cannot be skipped over, or it could cause you serious heartache in the long run.

There are so many benefits to securing a trademark, but the most important one is knowing you own your brand before you invest in it. There are countless horror stories out there—businesses forced to stop production, change their name, or even hand over profits because they didn’t own the rights to their name.

Imagine owning a building with your logo branded on the front, your bags and merchandise all designed, your social media fully built out and then someone hits you with a cease-and-desist order. Suddenly, you’re forced to stop everything or pay someone else a portion of your earnings.

This can happen, and it happens more often than you think.

I can’t stress it enough: foundation is key. Secure your trademark first, and then make your dreams come to life.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

I often think back to the hard work it took to build Unapologetic®, especially through social media. It requires an incredible amount of consistency. Rebuilding the brand from the ground up isn’t easy, but I leaned on a few things I thought would give me a slight advantage. However, the landscape had shifted dramatically. What I thought would take months felt like years, and I soon realized that in business, three years can feel like two decades.

Take my text message list, for example. I had 10,000 contacts an asset I was sure would help me regain some traction. But when I began the process of reactivating it, I discovered it had dwindled to fewer than 1,000 people. Not only that, but the company I was testing to send messages couldn’t provide me with the list of those who had clicked through. No starting point. No safety net. I had to take that on the chin and accept it.

Then I looked at my email list. Over 10,000 people. Surely, this was a lifeline. I decided to create a nine-email sequence to re-engage those subscribers and gauge where we stood. The reality hit me hard: maybe only 1,000 people were still actively engaging. Another blow to the chin.

My Facebook page, once thriving with nearly 30,000 followers, had been flagged in 2020—and it remains flagged to this day. Running ads? Not an option. My Instagram account with over 31,000 followers hasn’t been much better. Though it still sees some activity, the platform won’t allow me to run ads either. I put off the inevitable for as long as I could, but I finally realized what I had to do: start fresh with new Facebook and Instagram pages. That realization hit me like a Mike Tyson punch to the gut.

And if that wasn’t enough, X (formerly Twitter) locked me out of my account, which had over 20,000 followers. Another fresh start, another blow. It took time to process all of this—time to accept that these losses were part of the journey.

Over time, I’ve come to realize that adversity isn’t just a part of entrepreneurship—it shapes it. Every setback, every unexpected blow, is an opportunity to learn, grow, and rebuild with even more resilience.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs MUST push past the feeling of “I don’t feel like it” EVERY DAY! I made this post on my Facebook page the other day, and I was blown away by how many people resonated with it. What surprised me even more was realizing just how many of my friends are entrepreneurs. I knew it wasn’t just me who felt this way, but I didn’t realize how few people actually talk about it.

Here’s what I find fascinating: when I used to work a regular job, there were definitely days I didn’t feel like going in. But somehow, I thought running my own business would be different—like I’d always feel passionate and eager to show up. That thought now seems absurd.

And yet, here we are. It happens to all of us, doesn’t it? Of course, doing work we love gives us more purpose and passion, but even the work we love comes with its share of hard days. The reality of running a business doesn’t change the fact that we’re human.

So, what keeps me going when I don’t feel like it? My answer might not be what you’re expecting, but I’m going to tell you anyway.

For me, it’s God. My life belongs to Him, and because of that, my days have purpose—even when I don’t feel like it. The Spirit of God motivates me because I know there’s a work to do. I’m reminded daily that God has been working from the very beginning, and He’s still working now. If He hasn’t stopped, why should I?

When I don’t feel like it, I remember that my part matters. I submit my plans to God and let Him guide my steps. If I have a role to play, I’ve got to get up and play it.

That said, if you’re tired, rest. That’s the simplest, most overlooked advice. When we’re exhausted, our work becomes mediocre—half-done at best. What’s the point of pushing through when you’re running on empty? I’ve learned to take a day to rest even when I don’t think I need it. Most of the time, I end up sleeping more than I realize I needed. On those days, I spend time with God, share my thoughts, and ask Him for direction. He always reminds me why I’m here and what I’m doing.

Now, let me be completely transparent: I’m struggling with this right now. My diet has been off—I’m talking burgers, fries, and pizza kind of off. I haven’t been walking or staying consistent in the routines that fuel me. And guess what? I feel it. That’s probably why this whole thought of “pushing through” has been on my mind.

So here’s my advice:

    1.    Submit your plans to God and let Him direct your steps.

    2.    Rest when you’re tired.

    3.    Pay attention to what you’re eating and how you’re moving—it affects your energy more than you think.

Ultimately, you’ve been called to do a work, and no one else can do it for you. Take a walk, talk to God, and be honest about where you need help. Then get up and go.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

When I first started out as an entrepreneur, it was just me. It’s a lonely space to be in sometimes because, in the beginning, you’re doing all the work yourself. A lot of businesses start this way, and if you’re here now, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

I’ll never forget the sound of the press as I worked late into the night, pressing the inside neck labels for my brand onto T-shirts. The screeching noise filled the room every time I pulled the press handle down, and the countdown timer began. I carefully placed each label inside the shirt, pulled it down firmly, and started the process all over again. Over and over, I thought, “I won’t be doing this forever.”

That’s when it hit me—I needed to document this process. It had to be duplicatable.

I often thought back to my days working at Checkers. I hated working the grill, but I couldn’t deny how their system made the job easier. Every task had a purpose. Lay the patties this way. Hit the button. Flip them at this time. Drain them like this. Everything was spelled out, and everyone followed the same guidelines. That consistency is what delivered the same product every time.

Fast forward to building my company, Unapologetic®, I realized I needed to apply the same logic. For the most part, I thought I was doing okay. I brought in help, and we were making things happen. But then I got sick. I was hospitalized for almost two weeks, and everything began to unravel.

The gaps in my system became glaringly obvious. Why? Because I had been doing so much of the work myself. Without a Standard Operating Procedure in place, my business didn’t have the structure it needed to run smoothly without me.

That’s when I truly understood the importance of working on your business, not just in it. As entrepreneurs, we have to take time to step back and create systems that make our businesses operate efficiently even in our absence.

Now, this doesn’t happen overnight. But it starts with documenting what you’re learning as you go. Write it down. Refine it. Then begin placing people in those roles, even if they’re interns.

If you want to build a business that lasts, you need consistency, efficiency, and the ability to produce a great product every time. Standard Operating Procedures are the foundation for that kind of success.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

I remember walking into conversations where people were talking about running ads on Facebook and Instagram, and their mindset was overwhelmingly negative. They had so many reasons why ads didn’t work excuses, complaints, and frustrations.

Sometimes, I would just sit and listen without saying much. Other times, depending on who was in the room, I would share my thoughts. Even back then, I didn’t know everything I know now, but one thing I was sure of: ads work.

Now, when I join those conversations, I go deeper. I explain concepts like top-of-funnel, middle-of-funnel, and bottom-of-funnel strategies. I emphasize how critical it is for your top-of-funnel content to be strong. If your click-through rate isn’t good, it’s often because your content isn’t engaging, your visuals don’t resonate, or your copy isn’t drawing people in. Ads don’t fail—content fails.

This is just one example, but the larger point is this: we need to be intentional about shifting the atmosphere when we walk into a room. When the energy is pessimistic or heavy, bring hope. When people are discouraged, show them what’s possible. Optimism is contagious, and it’s a choice we make every day.

The law of polarity reminds us there are always two sides—negative and positive. I choose to focus on the bright side, to see opportunities where others see obstacles.

So don’t be afraid to change the atmosphere wherever you go. Be the light. Bring encouragement. Set the tone for optimism and action.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

We just wrapped up an amazing session with The Ground Up Academy focused on ads. While I’ve been familiar with ads for years, closing my business for a few years felt like an eternity in a world that evolves so quickly. I needed a refresher, but more importantly, my students needed the foundation to understand how ads work today.

This morning, I glanced at my Shopify app. Zero sales—goose eggs. But I saw something else: 20 sessions. That’s traffic. The ad at the top of the funnel is working. Before I go any further, let me give a brief breakdown of funnels when it comes to ads.

What is a Funnel in Ads?

Think of a funnel in three parts: top, middle, and bottom.

    •    Top of the Funnel (TOFU): This is where you grab attention. It’s broad and focuses on making people aware of your brand or product. This is often where curiosity starts.

    •    Middle of the Funnel (MOFU): Here, you build interest and engagement. People have seen your brand or product and might want to learn more. Retargeting ads, testimonials, or content that educates them about your product work well here.

    •    Bottom of the Funnel (BOFU): This is where decisions are made. People are ready to buy, and your ads need to push them toward conversion.

At the top of my funnel, I created an ad for a product I believe has massive potential. It’s called Faith Got Me Living Risky by my brand Unapologetic. This design has performed well in the past, and it still stops people in their tracks today. It’s a bold statement, and that’s the point.

Alongside it, I ran a brand story ad—something that casts a wide net to educate people about who we are. The goal here was simple: grab attention with the shirt, pique curiosity with the story. Both ads were designed to get the wheels turning in the minds of people who had no idea we existed.

Patience and the Process

Once enough traffic runs through the top of the funnel, we move to a retargeting sequence. This might include a deeper dive into what the shirt means or even a video unpacking the story behind Faith Got Me Living Risky.One of the sayings I live by is, “I bet the bag on myself.” It’s about believing in what you’re doing so much that you’re willing to invest the money and time it takes to see it through.

This is where patience becomes critical. Sales are the byproduct of doing everything else right. The process takes time—time to run the ads, time to educate the audience, and time to refine the message.

From concept to conception, every product or brand idea needs thought. From the moment you’re creating a design, think about how the customer will see it and how you’ll present it. Will it stop them? Will it resonate?

When I saw those goose eggs this morning, I wasn’t discouraged. I know one day I’ll look at that app and see $10,000 in sales for the day—or $30,000. It’s coming.

Social media often pushes the narrative of quick wins and instant success. But the truth is, patience is the secret weapon. Learn to think through your processes and trust the journey.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

Sometimes I ponder the past and some of my business dealings. I love being an entrepreneur with everything in me, and when it came to business, I always tried to do my best in serving my customers. I always wanted to get better. There were seasons when I felt like everyone we served at Unapologetic® was happy for the most part, and then there were seasons where we dropped the ball on shipping.

In other seasons, as an entrepreneur, I took on other roles to keep cash flow going. I was the middleman, if you will. I always felt like I was battling who I was in the past. For a long time, I was a hustler—a very unethical one and entrepreneurship became my opportunity to do better.

I can recall several business deals that I didn’t handle well. I just didn’t do right. It’s easy to justify those things, but as my relationship with God grew closer, conviction began to set in. I’ve had a few business deals that went bad that weren’t even my fault. But when I thought about my past, I decided to let them go because God had shown me so much grace. I needed to extend that grace to others.

Zacchaeus’ story resonates deeply with me, especially the part where he gave 50% of his possessions to the poor. That’s such a bold move, and it inspires me to give generously to God’s work and to help build His kingdom here on earth. What hits me even harder is Zacchaeus’ commitment to repay those he had defrauded—four times over. That strikes a chord in me because I’ve often thought about the times I could have done better in business. It’s my desire to right those wrongs where I can.

I think about being faithful in the little because I want God to trust me with more. I want repentance to be more than just words—it has to be backed by action. Zacchaeus didn’t just say he was sorry; he put tangible steps behind his repentance. That’s what I want for my life, too.

This blog is raw and transparent, but I feel like I need to put it out there. When I write these days, I know someone might come across my words who’s feeling the same way. My hope is that these words let you know that you are not alone.

No, we might not be able to right every wrong we’ve ever done, but for the ones we can? We should.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. I repeat: it is not for the faint of heart. Someone once asked me, “If I’m so talented, and I have the work ethic, why isn’t it producing fruit?” That’s a great question. My response was this: All work works—either it’s working for you, or it’s working on you—but you have to keep working.

I see entrepreneurship as building a house or a structure on solid ground. You have to make sure things are in place and done in order. You want to ensure you have a good product to take to the market, but you also have to work on your mindset every single day. Skipping even one day can set you back. Building takes time—momentum takes time. There are people who seem to do it quicker, but that’s not the standard; it’s the exception.

This is where delayed gratification comes into play. Entrepreneurship isn’t like stepping into an established system where you clock in, work for two weeks, and get paid. No, this is different. You’re building the system from the ground up. Then, once it’s built, you’re finding the right people to run that system efficiently.

It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

So, keep putting in the work. Stay diligent. Stay a student. If you do that, the dream will come to pass.

God Bless The Entrepreneur