The First-Gen Lounge

Being an entrepreneur is the worst job on the planet. Why? Because all the complex problems that the smartest people in the team can not solve are pushed back to the entrepreneur. When things start going south, it’s the business owner who needs to develop the solutions. And unfortunately, the business owner can not share the struggles with investors because they might stop funding the busines...

It's a well-known fact that only 10% of new startups succeed. It's hard out there; everyone is doing their best to stay relevant, and so the competition is fierce. However, knowing what to do and when to take risks requires a high degree of expertise that's not readily available to the average newbie. For first-gen college graduates, the easiest way to maneuver the first few days of entrepren...

Professional athletes spend most of their energy, time, and money training and competing. They also make personal, professional, and financial sacrifices to turn their passions into high-performance careers, but there always comes a time when they must consider life after sports. Unfortunately, the transition from being an athlete into entrepreneurship or employment can be brutally challenging. Th...

A typical human being dreams an average of about 4 to 6 dreams per night. If you can experience at least four dreams a night, why is it that you're still stuck on that one idea that failed to materialize? How you want your life to look doesn't have to be constant. Things change, and new passions are discovered daily. Don't limit yourself to a certain number of objectives just because that's what s...

Did you know that 48% of entrepreneurs grew up in an entrepreneurial family? Growing up in a family business provides you with hands-on experience that no book nor formal education can provide. The family business teaches you the ins and outs of running a business and the implications of poor decision-making. So, if you're wondering why some people leave the nine to five effortlessly and start the...

We've all heard this quote and even used it in our essays countless times: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." But what happens when real tragedy strikes? Understandably, sometimes it's a struggle to see a silver lining when life throws curveballs at you. But I will tell you this; it's crucial that you adapt as quickly as possible and look on the bright side instead of making pointless co...

Are you having trouble landing your dream job in your current zip code? Do you feel like your skills are unappreciated in your hometown? As a fresh first-generation college graduate, chances are you're still young and have the flexibility to just pack up and go, which gets way more complicated as you grow older and start to settle down. However, job hunting is hard. Job hunting in a city where you...

From the moment you start thinking about owning your own business to serving your first customer, entrepreneurship seems like a challenging yet gratifying experience. Interestingly, even the stressful moments seem to have a bit of magic, such that mistakes rarely birth entrepreneurial regret. Thus, it seems crazy to think that someday you might have regrets about some of the strategies or financia...

Most neighborhoods have that one store that changes into a new business every six months. It was once a barbershop, then it was a pizza joint, then soon after it became a grocery store. These small businesses were launched and shut down almost before anyone took notice of them. And it breaks my heart. According to the Small Business Administration, 8 out of 10 new businesses fail within the f...

When it comes to launching a new business, most people don't think you're going to succeed. Why? Because they don't think you can go through with their plan. And you know what sucks? They end up being right most of the time. Most people thinking about starting a business, for whatever reason, never truly start. I know for a fact that most of these people don't have a reason for starting. The prosp...

Have you ever met a brain picker? You know, that well-meaning person who saw you on LinkedIn and wants to ask you a quick question about a certain topic. The first few times it happens, it’s always thrilling. Somebody actually wants your perspective on your area of expertise, then you must be good at what you do. The thing is, it’s exciting when someone looks up to you and values your advice, righ...

In college, we all have one primary goal--get that degree. Yet, the importance of forming meaningful connections often goes unnoticed. And it's not because you skipped a couple of lectures, it's just that networking doesn't fit into the organic-chemistry syllabus or world history discussions. Experts agree that the most connected people are often the most prosperous. When you invest in your relati...

Call it what you want—getting fired, discharged, laid off, retrenched, or receiving your pink slip—losing your job hurts. Strangely enough, job loss ranks among the highest in stress when compared to other life-altering events such as death, divorce, and severe illness. There are times when losing one's job doesn't come as a big surprise. And while it may rattle your nerves, the benefit of prepari...

There is no shortage of advice readily available for new mothers. From best-selling motherhood books, doctors, well-meaning family and friends, and even strangers, everyone seems to know what's best for the baby. But what about the mom? It's almost impossible for new mothers to even think about self-care when they have a new baby. Experienced mothers struggle with it too. However, new mothers need...

Remember how easy it was to make friends as a kid? Kids can meet other kids on the playground and instantly form friendships that can somehow last a lifetime. Yet, as you grow older, you notice that building and maintaining relationships is not as simple as it used to be. One of the things that contribute to that is that we're all different, and we tend to acknowledge our differences as we gr...

Living way above our means, overspending, defaulting on loans, or missing out on lucrative investment opportunities, we all make financial mistakes. And don’t get me started on the guilt and resentment that follows these mistakes. If you’re struggling with a past money mistake, I understand that your wallet or bank account won’t allow you a moment’s rest, but don’t you think it’s time you forgave...

Is my business idea good enough? How am I going to manage all these people? What if I fail? What if I succeed? These are some of the questions most people ask themselves whenever they open a new chapter of their lives. And do you know why they do that? They want perfection. It's okay to have high expectations and want the best for yourself. But, you should be able to draw a line between excellence...

Summary Everyone loves a good story. For thousands of years, humans have been hard-wired to love and remember stories. Not just for entertainment but also for motivation. Telling your own story allows you to connect with other people in a way that only you can. Moreover, stories liberate you and others to see that their struggles are not unique, and since you survived and thrived, they can survive...

Oprah Winfrey once said, 'Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.' Everyone has a passion, some more than one, and some are yet to figure out theirs. The good news is that it's never too late or too early to develop your passion and even turn it into a viable business. However, before taking the entrepreneurial plunge, you need to spend a substantial amount...

Economists believe that it's getting harder to move up in America. Children from low-income families are more likely to remain poor as adults. Nonetheless, it's a well-known fact that college education tends to be a lever in social mobility. But, first-gens face a myriad of challenges that their peers don't go through, even if they share the same economic background. I recently learned how complex...

Having to deal with racism and sexism all at the same time is far from easy. A black woman will be discriminated against for being black and for being a woman, even though she exists in both identities at all times. Despite the challenges and obstacles in our paths, we have accomplished so much and continue to make remarkable strides. We are business owners, highly educated, ambitious, and most im...

Asking 'How do I pay for college?' is like asking, 'How do I lose weight?' or, 'How do I learn a new language?' There are a ton of answers, and there's never one clear path. The good news is that you don't even have to sink yourself in student loans while paying for college. All you have to do is implement some of the strategies that we highlight in today's talk, and you're good to go. However, it...

First of all, entrepreneurship is never easy, but when you throw in being a wife, it gets even more challenging. Your marriage can be the birth or the death of your entrepreneurial journey. While romantic movies tell otherwise, getting married doesn't automatically mean a life full of sunshine and happiness. Nonetheless, you should never stop growing, especially as a couple. And, if you feel...

Dealing with a severe cold or a broken bone isn't easy. But at least there's an end in sight. Once you get over the cold or your bone heals, you're pretty much back to normal. Unfortunately, that's not the case for people with chronic(long-term) illnesses. With no 'cure' in sight, these illnesses can sometimes last a lifetime. You can live with a chronic condition day to day, responding to its som...

We live in a time of accelerated change. What was viable a couple of months ago might not be relevant tomorrow morning. This means that our days are filled with changes that present newer opportunities to keep moving forward. No matter how tough the past year was, there will always be a silver lining in whatever life throws at you. However, it’s up to you to take a step towards finding your silver...