"The Hustle Within. Is Our Work Ethic Aligned with Our Dreams?"

Opening a Business

Dear Community,

Many of us dream of success—whether it’s through entrepreneurship, artistry, politics, or another passion. But dreaming is only part of the equation. The real question we must ask ourselves is this: What does our work ethic look like?

Let’s be honest for a moment. How many of us have a business idea we’ve always wanted to launch? How many of us actually took the steps to make it happen? Did we give it time to grow, or did we give up too soon? Have we educated ourselves on the basics of business—finance, marketing, building a team? Did we ever register that LLC or nonprofit we kept talking about because we saw a genuine need in our community?

Success doesn't show up overnight. Every successful person you see was once the first to rise in the morning and the last to go to bed at night. Success takes hard work, sacrifice, and unshakable dedication. It will test your patience, your relationships, and your spirit. Sometimes, your business won’t gain momentum for years. In the meantime, you still have a life to manage. That’s why planning is critical—not to scare us away from our dreams, but to help us move toward them with clarity.

This journey demands more than passion; it demands execution. Are we using today’s technology to build smarter? Are we surrounding ourselves with people who push us forward, not hold us back? The greatest asset we can bring to the table is our work ethic—our ability to turn vision into reality.

The truth is, business has no compassion. It will not wait for you to get motivated. Either you’re going to push through and make it work, or you won’t. And oftentimes, the very friends or family we expect support from won’t always be there. That’s why expanding your circle, building with new people, and learning from others in various fields is so important.

Let’s take a look at supply and demand. A good example? Car dealerships. They don’t cater to one race, gender, or class. They cater to anyone with the potential to buy. What’s their focus? Good customer service and knowledgeable staff ready to close the sale. That’s the mindset we need: be universal in our approach, understand who we’re serving, and meet their needs better than anyone else.

Sales is tough, no doubt. But that’s why mentorship matters. A mentor can show you the potholes before you fall into them. They’re not there to do the work for you, but to guide you toward a more effective strategy. Your business might not be a bad idea—maybe the blueprint just needs revision.

This message isn’t to discourage—it’s to remind you to dust off those dreams. Take those thoughts and put them to paper. Map it out. If you need to pivot, pivot. But whatever you do, do something. Because scrolling on social media, binge-watching shows, or endlessly sleeping won’t build your future. That’s not the spirit of an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurs are visionaries and warriors. They lose sleep, grind hard, and move with urgency because they know every second counts. Ideas don’t come to those who are idle—they come to those who are actively building.

So ask yourself today:

How strong is my work ethic? Am I doing more scrolling than strategizing? Am I planning or just procrastinating? Am I ready to build or still waiting for the “perfect” moment?

Evaluate your commitment. Gather your tools. And if you find gaps, fill them. Because the only thing standing between you and the life you envision is your willingness to do the work.

Let’s get to it.