My Thoughts: Part 2

Every once in while, frustration sets in. I get aggravated with the fact that I don't really have that much money, bills are still coming in every month and that things are not happening at the speed that I would like. This feeling creeps up on me at least once every few months. I think that it's that voice that tells you, "This is going to take too long. You're better off giving it up and just working a regular job." The frustration is very real and can be detrimental to the entrepreneurs endeavors. The question is how do you stop it? 


Well maybe not stop it but at least counter and redirect the negative thoughts and turn them into a positive ones. I'm still looking for answers to this question but in the mean time, I came across an article on under30ceo.com. The author, Tito Phillips Jnr explains the 9 Ways How Not to Start a Business  and gives advice on the habits that will hinder you from reaching your goals. 


I have to continue to remind myself of my goals and why I am doing what I am doing. The hard work, perseverance, and dedication will eventually pay off, and probably sooner than I think. The risks that I'm taking might not be visible to others but I can see it as clear day. Keep yourself focused and remember, as my grandfather says, "If you believe it you can achieve it!"

Spotlight YBE: Ambassador of Care

As you all may know (or may not know), I love to work with youth. I feel that it is one of the most gratifying experiences you can have. I work in an all boys high school In North Philadelphia right now and I am getting a first-hand glimpse of how severely they need guidance and attention. I made a promise to myself that one day I am going to create a business or foundation that caters to youth. There are so many ideas that I have but one day soon I will fulfill them and provide kids with options and resources that some might not have had access to before.

As I was looking for my next career move, I came across an organization and an entrepreneur that is doing what I aspire to do: offer youth options to success. Mrs. Christine Carter-Davis is the CEO and President of The Against All Odds Foundation. This Newark-based company was designed to assist at-risk youth get to college and overcome daily challenges. In an article in the Essex Times, the 28 year-old married mother of two explained how her background made her passion to help children with similar dispositions even stronger. Her organization provides many services including family success center for parents and tutoring services for the students to ensure academic success.

Mrs. Carter-Davis' foundation is a testament to the determination and passion that can create businesses. Her experience as a young girl led to her organization's success and dedication to make sure that the fight for "educational inequality," will remain strong. This proves to me that my goal to become a social entrepreneur and create businesses that revolve around helping adolescents become successful. Mrs. Carter-Davis, I salute you for following your passion and making it a reality. Keep up the good work.

Stop Looking, Start Creating!

As I am preparing to take my entrepreneurial leap, I have noticed that the time in between the initial idea and accomplishing it is very critical.  Working with kids makes me richer everyday. The gratification is immeasurable. My job is basically paid community service, so I decided to do it more so for the experience than the pay. 

But that doesn't pay the bills. That is a big sacrifice because the lack of funds is definitely a reality.  So now the question remains: do I need to get another job? This really goes against the potential entrepreneur in me. It's been rattling my brain for the last couple of months but the reality of the hardships is very immediate. I have been looking for another job for a while but I have not found a part time or full-time job that would do, or have gotten the opportunity for.

But doesn't this lead back to the reason why I wanted to become an entrepreneur in the first place? Isn't the purpose of my journey to be in a position to CREATE jobs instead of LOOK for them? Steve Gerber wrote a book that focuses on young entrepreneurs creating business opportunities for themselves and never having to work a "real" job in their life. Here's a quote from the book about how Generation Y's mindset has to adapt to the changing climate:

“The ‘work hard, get good grades, and go to college to get a job’ mantra is dead.  If we don’t want Gen Y to become a lost generation, we must stop wasting time sending out resumes and, instead, start building real income-generating businesses that are capable of supporting us. It’s time for our generation to start creating our own jobs instead of begging others for them.”

Recently I have started my real estate investing quest and still have many other ideas in the works (mind has to stay working). The process is a lot slower, hours are longer and the work is more tedious but I'm excited to do it. It's what I want to do and I know the reward is going to be great. More importantly, I will be able to show others that they can reach their potential if they are equipped with the tools and determination to reach their dreams.I have to be persistent and patient. Like the great Sam Cooke said, " It's been a long time coming, but I know, A CHANGE GON' COME!"

My Thoughts: Part 1

So last week, I went to my first real estate class. Out of about 15 people there, I was the youngest and the only black male. It was cool though. The class was from 6:30-10:15 pm, and I was engaged like a 3 year old watching Elmo on Sesame Street for the entire time. Some of the other adults were falling asleep or texting. But all of my attention was given to the instructor. Mr. Haven (the instructor) was giving us some of his story and relating it to the real estate lessons that he was teaching and it made for great parallels. 

The best part was when he began to talk about investing. I really perked up then. The other students in the classroom looked a little confused or surprised that he was saying if Americans would stop watching idol then they would know and understand some of the methods that allowed him to build his wealth. They were amazed at the amount of money that he estimating he was making just off of his classes alone, not to mention investment deals, his brokerage firm, and other real estate deals. His emphasis on the business side of things was paramount in most of the class and throughout his life story. I am now boiling over with excitement to go to the next class and soak up as much knowledge as I possibly can. My ambition and confidence just went up 10 notches but so did my patience and resilience. 

The process of learning is ongoing and somehow, like fine wine, gets better with time. My energy level has even risen because listening to him last week just reassured me that my dream is definitely possible and probably a lot will come sooner and larger than expected. This is why I feel like a financial education should implemented in schools. If children were drilled like this in grade schools then a lot of the financial woes would not come to pass.