The Resilient Mind

Let’s talk about the grind for a second—not the Instagram-highlight-reel kind of grind, but the “late nights, early mornings, no applause” type of grind. Building anything real takes years. Let me repeat that for the people in the back: YEARS.

It doesn’t happen overnight, and it certainly doesn’t happen with a “dollar-for-dollar” mentality. You’ve got to build incrementally, stacking small wins until they snowball into something bigger. Wealth isn’t about flashy payouts; it’s about compounding. A little here, a little there, and before you know it, you’ve built a legacy. But here’s where we’ve gone off track.

Now, I’m gonna say something that might ruffle some feathers, but stick with me because it’s coming from a place of love: My generation ruined Black business.

Wait, what? Yes, you heard me. We took the hustle, the spirit, the drive, and… gave it a dope dealer’s mentality. Let me break it down.

The Dope Dealer’s Mentality

If you’re not familiar, here’s how it works: You buy an ounce for $1,000, and you’re expecting to double it. Flip that stack, right? Business doesn’t work like that. Real businesses don’t live on 100% profits. In fact, if a business makes $0.25 on every dollar, they’re winning. Why? Because they got their dollar back and made a quarter. That’s a system you can scale. But too many of us out here are looking for dollar-for-dollar returns.

Here’s the harsh truth: If you spend $500 and expect to make $500 profit immediately, you’re hustling, not building a business. And hustles don’t scale. Hustles keep you running in place, while real businesses take time to grow roots before they blossom.

Brand Building Takes Time

Let’s address another trap: the whole “Why would you buy their $500 shirt but not my $500 shirt?” argument. Listen, your shirt might be just as good as Louis Vuitton, but Louis has decades—decades of brand building under its belt. You can’t pop up with a logo tomorrow and demand Louis prices. That’s not how trust works.

If you want Louis loyalty, you’ve got to put in Louis time. Build your brand, step by step, with quality and consistency. You can’t skip the process. You can’t microwave trust. You’ve got to earn it, and earning it takes years of showing up, even when no one’s clapping for you yet.

Small Wins, Big Picture

Here’s what we forget: the small wins matter. Every customer, every sale, every post, every product—they’re like bricks in the foundation. You might not see the house right away, but trust me, you’re building something. Don’t let the “get rich quick” mindset rob you of the real wealth that comes from patience and perseverance.

So, if you’re out here grinding today and wondering why you’re not seeing “Louis results,” take a step back and ask yourself: Am I building, or am I hustling? Because the two are not the same.

Final Thoughts

Here’s the thing about Black business—and business in general—it’s about more than the money. It’s about leaving a mark, creating a legacy, and showing the next generation what’s possible. But that only happens if we’re willing to play the long game.

So, go collect those small wins today. Keep stacking them. Wealth—real wealth—is built over time. And when you’re tempted to compare yourself to Louis, remember this: They started as a trunk maker in 1854. What will your 1854 look like?

Now get out there and build something great. One brick at a time.