GROW: Building Wealth and Smart Financial Decisions

Issue #78 - April 1, 2025

Welcome to G.R.O.W. (Guidance Redefines Our Way)!

What's up, GROW family! There's something in the air today, and it's not just spring pollen (though that's out there too – my sinuses can confirm). Today is April 1st, and while some might be planning elaborate pranks, I've been thinking about how this day represents something deeper: the powerful combination of playfulness and wisdom.

Last weekend, I pushed myself through the Marine Corps 17.75K marathon. During those 11.03 miles, I had plenty of time to think (especially around mile 8 when my knees questioned my life choices). Something struck me about the parallel between endurance racing and financial success – both require a mix of disciplined training and adaptability. There were moments I had to get creative with my approach, adjusting my pace and strategy as the course demanded. It reminded me that we often need structure AND flexibility to reach our most challenging goals.

But what if that's exactly where we've gone wrong? What if building wealth isn't just about spreadsheets and sacrifice, but also about creative thinking and strategic risk-taking?

This month is Financial Literacy Month, but don't worry – I'm not about to lecture you on compound interest (though we might touch on it). Instead, let's explore how unconventional thinking and calculated risks can transform not just your bank account, but your entire approach to growth.

Let's get into it!

Growth Spotlight: The Wisdom in Playfulness: Leadership Lessons from April Fools

April Fools' Day has a surprisingly rich history. Dating back to the 16th century, it reminds us of something important: sometimes, challenging conventional wisdom leads to unexpected breakthroughs.

There’s a book titled "The Playful Entrepreneur: How to Adapt and Thrive in Uncertain Times" by Mark Dodgson that explores how playfulness, yes, actual playfulness, is a critical component of successful business innovation. The authors studied entrepreneurs who maintained childlike curiosity throughout their careers and found they were significantly more likely to identify market opportunities others missed.

Think about some of the most successful companies of our time:

• Google famously instituted "20% time," where employees could work on whatever interested them one day per week. Gmail, Google Maps, and Google News emerged from this "playful" approach to innovation.

• Zappos built a billion-dollar business by taking the "serious" business of shoe sales and infusing it with play, spontaneity, and an almost ridiculous commitment to customer service.

• Richard Branson, one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs, is known for his playful approach. His autobiography states: "Fun is one of the most important – and underrated – ingredients in any successful venture."

But how does this connect to building wealth? Here's what I've observed:

1. Playfulness encourages "what if" thinking
When a finance team struggled with client acquisition costs, they were asked to pretend they had to achieve the same results with half the budget. The "game" produced three viable strategies that would never have been considered under normal circumstances.

2. Playfulness reduces fear of failure
We take more intelligent risks when we frame challenges as experiments rather than do-or-die situations. And intelligent risk-taking is at the heart of wealth creation.

3. Playfulness creates connections
Some of the best business opportunities have come through relationships that began in relaxed, playful settings, not formal networking events.

I recently read something that stuck with me: "Financial wisdom often hides in unexpected places." The most successful community wealth-building programs come from watching immigrant families pool resources through informal lending circles. This practice has become a structured program that's helped hundreds build credit and launch small businesses.

So this month, I'm challenging myself (and you) to approach financial growth with seriousness AND playfulness. What assumptions can you question? What "game" might you design to solve a persistent problem? Where might you find financial wisdom in unexpected places?

Remember, some of the most incredible breakthroughs in history began as "foolish" ideas. Imagine if the Wright brothers had listened when people said humans weren't meant to fly.

Professional Growth Gateway: Strategic Risk-Taking Skills

Let's get practical about risk-taking, because there's a big difference between calculated risks and reckless gambling, especially when it comes to your financial future.

Here's my framework for strategic risk-taking that's served me well over the decades:

1. Know Your Risk Tolerance Profile

I've learned that risk tolerance isn't one-dimensional – it varies across different aspects of your life. I'm conservative with retirement funds but much more aggressive with my "innovation portfolio" (the 10% of my investments I plan to dedicate to emerging opportunities).

A study from the Financial Planning Association found that people who clearly understand their risk tolerance make investment decisions they're less likely to regret during market volatility. Their research showed that investors who panic-sold during downturns typically had never properly assessed their actual risk tolerance.

Try this: Rate your comfort level (1-10) with potential losses in different categories:

• Career moves

• Investment strategies

• Business ventures

• Skill development

This self-awareness will guide better decision-making.

2. Master the 10/10/10 Rule

Before making any significant financial decision, ask yourself three questions:

• How will I feel about this decision 10 minutes from now?

• How will I feel about it 10 months from now?

• How will I feel about it 10 years from now?

This simple mental model, popularized by Suzy Welch in her book "10-10-10: A Life-Transforming Idea," helps distinguish between short-term discomfort and long-term regret.

If you are considering leaving your corporate job to focus on something you are called to do, the 10-minute view might be terrifying. The 10-month view is possibly uncertain. But the 10-year view? Is something you will regret not taking a chance on. This clarity could make all the difference.

3. Create a "Risk Budget"

Just like you budget your money, consider budgeting your risk exposure. For example:

• 70% of my investments follow conventional wisdom (index funds, diversification)

• 20% pursue moderate opportunities, I've thoroughly researched

• 10% chase innovative, higher-risk possibilities

This approach ensures you never risk more than you can afford to lose while exposing yourself to high-growth opportunities.

4. Practice Small Risk-Taking

Risk-taking is a muscle that needs exercise. Start small:

• Speak up in that meeting where you'd usually stay quiet

• Invest a small amount in a company whose mission you believe in

• Reach out to someone you admire but would generally be intimidated to contact

Each small risk builds your confidence for larger ones.

The research backs this up. A fascinating study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people who regularly practiced small, calculated risks reported 23% higher career satisfaction and 31% higher earnings over five years than self-described "risk avoiders."

What small risk will you take this week?

Success Spotlight: Leaders Who Disrupted Through Unconventional Thinking

This week, I want to highlight three leaders whose unconventional thinking led to extraordinary success – and the lessons we can learn from each:

Sara Blakely: Turning $5,000 into a Billion-Dollar Empire

Before founding Spanx, Sara Blakely was selling fax machines door-to-door. With no fashion background, she transformed women's undergarments with a simple insight: cutting the feet off pantyhose could create a smooth silhouette under white pants. Working nights and weekends, she invested her $5,000 life savings to develop a prototype.

When established manufacturers dismissed her idea, she persisted. When lawyers told her she couldn't patent her design, she wrote the patent herself. When department stores hesitated to carry her product, she demonstrated it on herself in store aisles.

Today, Spanx is a billion-dollar company, and Blakely became America's youngest self-made female billionaire.

The lesson? Sometimes, the most valuable expertise is fresh eyes. Blakely succeeded not despite her lack of industry experience, but because of it. She questioned assumptions that industry veterans took for granted.

Tyler Perry: Betting on an Underserved Audience

When Tyler Perry first brought his plays to the theater, Hollywood executives told him his stories were too niche, focused on African American experiences that they believed wouldn't appeal to mainstream audiences.

Rather than conforming to conventional wisdom, Perry doubled down. He invested his life savings to stage his productions, sometimes living in his car while touring. He built direct relationships with his audience, often selling out shows through word-of-mouth and church networks.

By the time Hollywood called, Perry had already built a loyal fan base. He negotiated deals that gave him unprecedented creative control and ownership. In 2019, he opened Tyler Perry Studios – the first major film studio owned by an African American – on 330 acres in Atlanta.

The lesson? Sometimes the experts are wrong about what audiences want. Trust your understanding of underserved markets.

José Andrés: Chef, Humanitarian, Problem-Solver

Chef José Andrés is renowned for his innovative restaurants, but his approach to disaster relief truly demonstrates unconventional thinking.

After Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, traditional aid organizations struggled with logistical challenges. Rather than accepting the established approach, Andrés and his team from World Central Kitchen went directly to the source – activating local restaurants, hiring local workers, and preparing culturally appropriate meals.

While bureaucratic relief efforts stalled, Andrés' team served over 3.7 million meals, often reaching communities that traditional aid couldn't access.

The lesson? Sometimes, the most effective solutions ignore established systems entirely. Don't just improve the process – reimagine it completely.

These stories share a common thread: all three leaders refused to accept limitations others considered fixed. They combined creative thinking with relentless execution, turning conventional disadvantages into unique strengths.

What "limitations" in your life or career might be opportunities in disguise?

Community Corner: The Case for Youth Financial Literacy – A Proposal for AFGM

Family, I've got something important this month that could transform our community for generations: financial literacy for our young people.

The Alarming Reality

The numbers tell a sobering story. A recent FINRA study shows that nearly two-thirds of American adults can't pass a basic financial literacy test. But here's what keeps me up at night: the Charles Schwab Financial Literacy Survey found that only 15% of teens believe their high school will teach them good financial habits.

Think about that. We're sending our young people into an increasingly complex financial world without preparation.

The consequences are severe and long-lasting:

• 54% of student loan borrowers didn't calculate their future monthly payments before taking on debt

• The average credit card debt for Americans between 18-24 is $2,057, with interest often exceeding 20%

• 45% of teenagers don't know what a 401(k) is, and 28% can't tell the difference between a credit and debit card

As Booker T. Washington said, "The most disadvantaged of all classes is that of persons who cannot read and write their thoughts and count their own money." In today's world, financial illiteracy is becoming a new disadvantage.

Why Early Education Matters

Research shows that financial behaviors are set by age 7. Let that sink in. By second grade, many money habits are already forming.

A University of Cambridge study found that children who received financial education were more likely to:

• Save regularly

• Understand the difference between wants and needs

• Have more positive money management behaviors as adults

• Experience less financial anxiety

Even more compelling, a study published in the Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning found that young adults taught financial literacy in high school had significantly higher credit scores and lower debt delinquency rates than their peers.

A Proposal: AFGM Financial Foundations Initiative

A Few Good MENtors is uniquely positioned to address this critical need. I'm proposing we develop a comprehensive youth financial literacy program with three key components:

1. Age-Appropriate Curriculum. We would develop materials for three age groups:

• Elementary (K-5): Basic concepts through games, stories, and activities

• Middle School (6-8): Practical skills like saving, budgeting, and goal-setting

• High School (9-12): Advanced topics including investing, credit, college planning, and entrepreneurship

2. Mentorship Component Our greatest strength at AFGM is the experience and wisdom within our network. I propose we train interested mentors in delivering financial education, creating powerful intergenerational connections centered around wealth-building.

3. Community Engagement To extend our impact, we would:

• Partner with local schools for in-class programming

• Offer weekend workshops for families

• Create take-home activities that engage parents in the learning process

• Host an annual "Youth Financial Summit" featuring local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and financial professionals

The Resources We'll Need

Making this program successful will require:

• Dedicated volunteer mentors willing to complete training

• Partnerships with local schools for pilot programming

• Potential sponsorships from local financial institutions

• Your ideas and input!

The Call to Action

I'll be hosting a virtual exploratory meeting on April 20th at 7:30 PM via Zoom for anyone interested in helping shape this initiative. Whether you have financial expertise to share, connections to potential partners, or believe in this mission, I want you at the table. This is an opportunity to brainstorm and build something transformative for our young people.

As Dr. King reminded us, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" I believe empowering our young people with financial knowledge is one of the most powerful answers to that question.

What do you think, family? Should we pursue this? Please email me with your thoughts, or better yet, join us on the 20th. Let's build a foundation for generational wealth together.

Michael's Hot Take: Investing in Signal... and Other Questionable Financial Decisions

Well, it seems the Trump administration has been giving us all a masterclass in what NOT to do with sensitive information. If you haven't heard, several top officials are in hot water after discussing a U.S. military attack on Houthi rebels in Yemen... on Signal. Yes, that Signal—the same app your teenager uses to plan weekend hangouts. Oh, and they accidentally added a journalist to the chat. Brilliant risk management!

This got me thinking about financial wisdom and risk assessment. Some risks are calculated and strategic, like diversifying your investment portfolio or launching that side business you've been dreaming about. And then some risks are just... let's call them "unnecessarily creative," like discussing military operations on a commercial messaging app.

"But Michael," you might say, "they claim no classified information was shared!" Sure, and I've got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you at a special discount this week only.

This situation reminds me of people who keep their banking passwords on sticky notes attached to their monitors or discuss their entire investment strategy loudly on their phone in a crowded coffee shop. Just because something isn't technically against the rules doesn't mean it's a good idea.

The financial equivalent would be investing your entire retirement fund in your cousin's startup that's "definitely going to be the next Facebook, trust me." Is it illegal? No. Is it classified information? No. Is it still a spectacularly bad risk to take? Absolutely.

What fascinates me most is the administration's defense. Instead of acknowledging the poor judgment, they're playing semantic games about what constitutes "classified" information versus merely "sensitive" information. It's like someone who maxed out their credit cards saying, "Well, technically I'm not bankrupt!".

The lesson here for all of us: There's a difference between creative risk-taking and careless risk-taking. True financial wisdom isn't about finding clever loopholes or technical workarounds—it's about making thoughtful decisions that protect your future while creating growth opportunities.

So before you hit "send" on that next financial decision, ask yourself: "Is this a calculated risk that could pay dividends, or am I just one accidental group chat invite away from disaster?"

What questionable "technically not against the rules" financial decisions have you reconsidered lately? I'd love to hear your stories—preferably not via Signal.

Upcoming Events

Echo of Freedom Tour

• Date: July, 2025

• Duration: 4 hours

• The Echoes of Freedom Tour is a guided journey through Northern Virginia, uncovering the rich and often untold history of African American resilience, activism, and community-building. This immersive experience takes participants to key historical sites, including early freedmen settlements, civil rights landmarks, and educational institutions that shaped Black history in the region. The tour connects the past to the present through storytelling, reflection, and engagement, ensuring that these vital narratives inspire future generations.

S.H.I.E.L.D.S. Program Launch

• Coming in April 2025

• Women's Leadership Panel: April 6, 2025

• Stay tuned for full schedule!

New Mentor Training Course (NMTC 25-02)

• Applications open March 15, 2025

• Training will be April 26, 2025

• Open to both new and experienced AFGM Mentors

Word Alive Church International

• Looking for a church home? Visit WACI!

• Location: 8517 Rixlew Lane, Manassas, VA

• Sunday Services: 10:30 AM

• Mention Michael from A Few Good MENtors, Inc.!

Closing Thoughts

As we launch into Financial Literacy Month, remember that true financial wisdom comes from knowledge AND creativity. The spreadsheets and calculators matter, but so does your unique vision and willingness to question assumptions.

Consider this quote from Richard Branson: "The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all." Financial growth requires both prudent management and calculated risk-taking—knowing when to follow conventional wisdom and when to chart your own course.

Whether you're taking your first steps toward financial literacy or working on building generational wealth, know that this GROW community is here to support your journey. We learn together, grow together, and sometimes even challenge the "rules" together.

Until next Tuesday, be safe, thankful, and just a little bit foolish in pursuing your dreams.

Michael