Tuesday, September 13, 2011

No,Never,Cant, = Failure


Today’s America is driven by money, power, and freedom. All of these desires run in conjunction with the other. Money gives you power, power allows you the freedom to live your life as you wish. Between 2004 and 2010 it has been shown that nearly 40% of the population between ages 18-24 expressed desire to start their own business. Amongst the thousands of young Americans that pursue this every year, few truly succeed. Those that do succeed have a drive that is unmatched, and will power that just won’t quit. Farrah Gray is a self made millionaire, who grew up in inner city Chicago in the late 1980’s. “The only thing in our refrigerator was the light that came on when you opened the door,” says Gray, which can only give you an inkling of the circumstances that faced him. He wasn’t born within a lavished lifestyle, nor was he provided the education some may think you need to be a successful individual; let alone a self-made millionaire by the age of 14. Farrah started his empire at the age of 6. What can a 6 year old do to possibly be driving revenue while only being in the 1st grade? He sold rocks, painted ones at that. However, these were not your ordinary painted rocks that you may see your local girl scouts selling. Gray evolved his painted friends into things such as bookends, and doorstops all while only being just over a half of a decade in age. At age seven, he was carrying business cards reading "21st Century CEO." At eight, Gray became co-founder of Urban Neighborhood Enterprise Economic Club on Chicago's South side. By the time he was a pre-teen he had over 12 million listeners tuning into to “Backstage Live”, a syndicated television and radio simulcast in Las Vegas. By the age of 15, his talent and inspiration could no longer be denied and he was made the youngest member of the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce in Las Vegas. His accomplishments, foundations, and business ventures could fill a book, but I simply wanted to scrape the service. Farrah Gray changed his stars against unprecedented odds during modern America. The unfortunate reality of it all is that the majority of today’s youth and young adults lack the work ethic, character, and patience to walk in Gray’s footsteps. However, it is nice to know that it is still possible. When they say “you can do anything you can set your mind to”, believe it, and follow through with it. It definitely will not be easy, nor will it always be lucrative, or enjoyable. Wouldn’t you want to come out on the other side as Gray did? I know I would.
Special Thanks to Jessica Jenkins for this stellar submission

3 comments:

  1. Don't you think that there were a few more opportunities for entrepreneurship in the 1980's then there are now? It also takes the poor to want to buy things like painted rocks made into door stops. How many wealthy people do you know that would want something like that? People having the drive to make money at the expense of the undereducated isn't going to solve America's problems. It's only making life better for one person and not thinking of the whole. People are gravely influenced by their surroundings growing up and if the rich continue to get richer and the poor, poorer... in a capitalist America, the poor will continue to be resistant. Who can support themselves on minimum wage and succeed at starting a business or going to school? I certainly couldn't.

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  2. I would have to say that I would think the opportunities for entrepreneurship are even greater today simply because of all of the resources, articles, websites (etc.) that are literally at your fingertips. Also, to say who would buy something based on how much money they make is highly opinionated. Could you really say a 6 year old had the desire to make money at the expense of undereducated America? Perhaps the message of this blog needed to be much more simple for you. Drive, determination, and the willingness to succeed can allow you to do anything. No matter the circumstances, this man succeeded and I have a hard time believing at the age of 6 his intentions were anything but genuine. If he could accomplish the things he could at the age he did, minimum wage or not, I think there are individuals today that could if they set their mind to it.

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  3. Both have valid points. My perspective would have to be though is that even though our economy is in the tank there are more oppurtunities for the creative. The internet is an infinte opportunity for commerce. You just have to be more creative enough to do so. Maybe we should spend more time educating people on being creative and creating jobs when there are none. Awesome feedback!

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