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In my latest conversation on The Knives Monroe Podcast, Derek and I peeled back the layers of entrepreneurship, real estate, and lifeâs raw truths. Derek isnât just a marketing director or a real estate investor; heâs a force who transforms setbacks into stepping stones. His story is a testament to radical ownershipâtaking responsibility for every decision, no matter how messy.
Family, Failure, and Forward MotionGrowing up in Wells Branch, Derek learned early that life was as unpredictable as it was challenging. He shared how the echoes of his fatherâs struggles and the bittersweet lessons from his own experiences shaped his non-negotiables. Losing a parent at a young age forced him to reframe grief into fuel. His journey wasnât linear; it was a series of failures that, when embraced, paved the way for exponential growth.
The Art of PivotingDerekâs transition from wholesaling to partnering on real estate deals wasnât accidentalâit was strategic. He explained that while lowball offers may upset some, they are often the necessary cost to seize opportunity. By refusing to let sunk cost fallacies dictate his future, he learned to pivot, recalibrate, and trust his gut. That same gut tells him when to say âenoughâ and focus on what truly moves the needle.
Embracing the HustleIn our conversation, Derekâs passion for the hustle shone through. He broke down the mechanics of real estate investing like a seasoned MMA fighterâdifferent moves for different situations. Whether heâs donning the investor hat, the contractor hat, or even the role of a mediator between skeptical clients and ambitious partners, he embodies the art of doing it all. His message? Focus on what you do best, eliminate what doesnât work, and never let fear of failure stop you.
A Blueprint for Creative OwnershipDerekâs approach extends beyond the numbers. Itâs about creating value, building trust, and forging relationships that endure. For him, every deal is not just a transaction but a chance to learn, grow, and leave a mark. His journey has taught him that every failure, every lowball offer, and every unexpected twist is an opportunityâa lesson that propels him forward.
Whatâs one lesson from your failures that propelled you to success?Drop a comment or send me a DM. Letâs connect and learn from one another.
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I want artists and creators to get paid. I want you to make a living doing what you love. I want you to pay your bills with art money. This mission isnât just a lofty goalâitâs personal. Iâve been there, starting from zero, wondering how to make that leap from amateur to pro. Itâs a mind game and a grind, but itâs possible.
We live in an age where information is everywhere, and opportunities seem endless, but many creators are still undervalued and underpaid. The system isnât built for us to win, but that doesnât mean we canât. Letâs talk about whatâs holding creators back and how we can change the game.
The Struggles Creators Face
Letâs acknowledge the reality: creators are commoditized, expected to work for exposure or the love of the craft. The lack of business skills among creatives is staggering. So many of us donât know how to charge fairly or negotiate confidently. Weâre afraid to ask for what weâre worth because weâre just happy to get the gig.
I get it. Youâve taken jobs for pennies because you wanted the experience or didnât feel confident enough to charge more. You said yes to a $150 wedding shoot and spent the whole day working for a fraction of what you deserved. Sound familiar? Thatâs not sustainable. Itâs time to kill the people-pleaser mindset and embrace your worth.
The Starving Artist Myth
We need to deconstruct the toxic stereotype of the starving artist. For too long, society has told us that making art means being broke, that monetizing your creativity is âselling out.â Thatâs garbage. The new generationâGen Z and beyondâis proving that you can be creative and successful without compromising your integrity. Letâs adopt that mindset.
Art and content have value. Artists deserve compensation. Full stop. By accepting scraps, youâre not just hurting yourself; youâre devaluing the entire creator economy. Stop charging $300 for projects that should be worth thousands. Believe me, thereâs more than enough food at the table for everyone to eatâbut you have to demand your seat.
From Artist to Businessperson
Hereâs the truth: If you want to get paid, you need to think like a businessperson. This means:
* Knowing Your Value: Understand the skills you bring to the table. Assess your offeringsâwhether itâs photography, videography, podcasting, or consultingâand price them according to time, expertise, and market demand.
* Building a Personal Brand: Your personal brand is your lifeline. Itâs how clients find you, trust you, and decide to invest in you. Be recognizable, undeniable, and authentic.
* Creating a Clear Monetization Strategy: Stop making content for contentâs sake. Have a plan. Whether itâs selling prints, offering services, or launching digital products, map out how your creativity will generate income.
* Diversifying Your Income Streams: Relying on one client or platform is risky. Explore ways to make money through multiple avenues, like consulting, courses, or brand partnerships.
Practical Steps to Get Paid
Letâs get actionable. Here are steps you can take to start earning what youâre worth:
* Shift Your Mindset: Stop seeing yourself as âjustâ an artist or creator. Youâre a business owner.
* Set a Baseline Rate: If youâre charging less than $1,000 for significant projects, rethink your pricing. Low rates hurt you and the creator economy.
* Learn Business Basics: Master contracts, invoicing, and negotiation. These are non-negotiables if you want to protect yourself and thrive.
* Reach Out Strategically: Use cold outreach to land clients. DM someone you admire and offer your services. Lead with value, not desperation.
* Leverage Free Tools: Start with what you have. Use your phone, free editing software, and platforms like Canva to build your portfolio.
The Ripple Effect of Getting Paid
When artists get paid, it changes everything. You can focus on your craft, inspire others, and contribute to the world in meaningful ways. Money amplifies your mission. Itâs not about greed; itâs about sustaining your creativity and making a larger impact.
The world needs your art. Your ideas. Your voice. But none of that can happen if youâre too broke and burned out to create. Getting paid mattersânot just for you, but for the people who benefit from your work.
Final Thoughts
This is the best time in history to be a creator. With direct-to-consumer platforms, tools like Patreon, and evolving technology, the opportunities are endless. But you have to take the leap. You have to believe in your worth and demand abundance.
So let me ask you: Whatâs holding you back from getting paid for your art? Leave a comment, share your story, and letâs figure this out together. The world needs your creativity. Itâs time to get paid for it.
Keep a force field around your heart and your art. You deserve this.
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In my latest conversation with Jennifer Kendall on The Knives Monroe Podcast, we explored the raw reality of battling depression while trying to hold onto creativity. Jennifer shared how she masked her struggles for years, until lifeâand her daughterâreignited her purpose.
Here are the lessons that stuck with me:
* Isolation Makes It WorseJennifer thought pulling away would heal her, but it only deepened her depression. Her breakthrough came when she started reaching out, connecting, and letting others in.
* Art Saves LivesThrough documenting her life, Jennifer found a way to process her emotions and leave a legacy for her daughter. Her âdigital love lettersâ are a reminder that creativity heals.
* Authenticity Is FreedomJennifer reclaimed her life by dropping the façade. She embraced vulnerability and stopped apologizing for who she is.
A Challenge for You:Whatâs one raw, unfiltered story you can share today? Post it, and let the process guide you.
Jenniferâs journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, self-love, and art. Listen to our full conversation and find your spark again.
đ More at KnivesMonroe.com
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Most creators quit, and itâs not because they suck. Itâs not because they run out of inspiration or ideas. They quit because the grind breaks them.
The creatorâs journey is tough. If you donât develop systems to protect your mental health and creative process, youâll burn out. Youâll take your ball and go home. Thatâs why weâre hereâto talk about why most creators fail and how you can ensure thatâs not your story.
The Brutal Truth About Creating
Starting is easy. Anyone can hit ârecordâ or write a tweet. The hardest part of creating isnât startingâitâs not giving up when it gets hard. And trust me, it gets hard. When the metrics arenât in your favor, when youâre not checking the boxes, and when you forget why you started, the urge to quit creeps in.
Success isnât about raw talent; itâs about grit. Iâve seen insanely talented people give up, not because they lacked ability, but because they lacked endurance. Talent might open the door, but grit keeps you in the room. Me? Iâm the self-proclaimed âmediocre mogul,â but Iâm still here because I press âupload.â
Longevity beats perfection in the content game. Success is a test of endurance. The longer you show up, the better your odds.
Burnout Isnât a Badge of Honor
The hustle-every-second mindset is killing creativity. Burnout isnât proof youâre working hard; itâs proof youâre not working smart. To avoid burnout, you need systems. Maybe that means delegating tasks like editing. Maybe itâs creating a no-face YouTube channel. Or maybe itâs as simple as taking Saturdays off to recharge.
Rest is as important as the work. When you set boundaries, you give yourself space to create sustainably. Remember: itâs a marathon, not a sprint. And balanceâbetween creativity and restâis your antidote to burnout.
Comparison Will Kill Your Creativity
Social media is a distorted mirror. Scrolling through highlight reels of othersâ successes can make you feel like trash. Iâve been thereâenvying creators like Peter McKinnon until it paralyzed me. I stopped posting, stopped creating, and let jealousy win.
The only creator you should compare yourself to is who you were yesterday. Your Chapter 1 doesnât look like someone elseâs Chapter 20. Focus on your journey, not theirs. Progress isnât a race; itâs deeply personal.
Imposter Syndrome Is Universal
Every creator feels like a fraud at some point. Even the ones crushing it. That voice in your head saying, âYou donât belong hereâ? Itâs lying. Imposter syndrome means you care about your work. Itâs a sign youâre growing.
Confidence doesnât come from thinking about being great; it comes from doing the work. Drown out the doubt by showing up, over and over again.
Loneliness Is Part of the Process
Creating can feel like an island. The people around you might not understand the grind, and that isolation can weigh heavy. But hereâs the thing: solitude can either break or shape you. Your choice.
Lean on like-minded creators. Find your community. Text a friend your thumbnail and ask for feedback. Share your struggles. Community is the antidote to loneliness, and it builds resilience.
Chasing Metrics Is a Trap
Metrics are just numbers. They donât define your value as a creator. Sure, we all want views, likes, and subs, but chasing those alone will crush your authenticity. True success is measured by impact, not numbers. Algorithms change, but meaningful work lasts.
Focus on connection, not vanity metrics. If your content resonates with one person, thatâs a win. People remember how you made them feel, not your subscriber count.
The Overnight Success Illusion
Nobody becomes an overnight success. What you see as âluckâ is years of invisible work. Tony Robbins said it best: âYou get rewarded in public for what you do in private.â
Patience is the secret weapon of successful creators. Consistency and resilience are the real keys to growth. Keep showing up, even when it feels like nothingâs happening. Youâre building a foundation that will pay off.
Celebrate Small Wins
Youâre too busy beating yourself up to see the progress youâve made. Celebrate every step forward. Got 100 views on a video? Thatâs 100 people who watched your work. Progress compounds when you honor each milestone. Gratitude for the journey beats self-criticism every time.
Your Story Is Your Superpower
Thereâs only one you, and nobody can replicate your perspective. The more you lean into your authentic story, the more magnetic your content becomes. Vulnerability builds trust. People connect with stories, not facades. Your story is your greatest assetâuse it.
Quitting Is the Only Guaranteed Failure
If you quit, itâs game over. But if you keep going, you have a chance to figure it out. Every failure brings you closer to success. Persistence is the ultimate edge in the creator economy.
Most creators fail because they underestimate the mental toll of this process. But if you protect your peace, celebrate progress, and never give up, youâll still be here. And one day, theyâll call you an overnight success.
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Everyone loves the idea of being their own boss. It sounds so good on paper: set your own hours, sip mimosas on a beach, and achieve financial freedom. But letâs get realâbeing a one-person business isnât just about freedom. Itâs about responsibility. Massive, overwhelming responsibility.
Nobody talks about this. So let me break it down for you: the brutal truths of running a one-person business.
You Wear Every Hat
Think about your last job. Maybe you were a project manager or a creative specialist. Now imagine doing that job while also being the CEO, CFO, CMO, customer service rep, janitor, and tech support. Thatâs your life as a solopreneur.
Every. Single. Thing. Falls on you.
From sending invoices to designing marketing campaigns to troubleshooting tech issues, youâre it. There are no days off, no "let me run this up the chain" moments. When something goes wrongâand trust me, it willâyouâre the firefighter.
And while everyone loves the fantasy of working in pajamas or from exotic locations, the reality is often grinding at midnight, staring at your screen, with a long list of unfinished tasks.
Burnout Is Real
Work-life balance? Forget it. Unless youâve got killer systems in placeâand letâs be honest, most of us donâtâyouâre burning the candle at both ends.
You will miss family events. Youâll skip weddings and birthdays for launch dates or client deadlines. Burnout isnât just a possibilityâitâs a guarantee if you donât guard your mental health with everything youâve got.
But hereâs the kicker: if you donât show up, nothing gets done. The responsibility to "ship" falls squarely on you. Thatâs a heavy burden to carry day in and day out.
Itâs Lonely
Nobodyâs coming to save you.
When youâre a one-person business, your friend group might shrink, your support network might fade, and youâll often feel like youâre carrying the world on your shoulders. Peers might not understand your grind, and family may wonder why you donât just "get a regular job."
This isnât to scare you but to prepare you. Self-awareness is critical. Before you dive into solopreneurship, ask yourself: am I ready for this level of isolation? If not, build your tribeâfind other solopreneurs who understand your journey. You donât have to go it alone.
Decision Fatigue Will Wreck You
As the boss, every decisionâbig or smallâis on you. What font should you use for your website? Should you take that underpaying gig? How do you price your services?
These decisions add up. By the end of the day, youâre so drained that even picking dinner feels like a monumental task. This is why so many leaders talk about creating systems to minimize decision fatigue. Simplify wherever possible and prioritize what truly moves the needle.
Why Itâs All Worth It
Now that Iâve painted a pretty bleak picture, letâs talk about why itâs worth it.
The high you get from a $15,000 payday or from paying your bills with money earned from your creativity is indescribable. The freedom to create, to own your wins (and yes, your losses), and to chart your own course? Thatâs something you canât put a price on.
If youâre wired a certain way, thereâs no going back. Sure, youâll have clients dictating some aspects of the workâthatâs what they pay for. But the autonomy to build something on your terms? Thatâs delicious.
How to Survive (and Thrive)
If youâre going to make it as a one-person business, you need to do three things:
* Set Boundaries Hustle culture will kill you. Protect your time and mental health like your life depends on it. Because it does. Gatekeep your peace. Use "Do Not Disturb" when youâre deep in work. Say no to anything that doesnât align with your goals.
* Prioritize What Matters Not everything deserves your attention. Hyper-focus on the tasks that grow your businessâwhether thatâs creating content, networking, or client outreach. Let the rest go or outsource it.
* Find Your People Solopreneurship doesnât have to mean loneliness. Join communities of like-minded creators, go to networking events, or find accountability partners. Surrounding yourself with others who âget itâ can be life-changing.
Final Thoughts
Being a one-person business isnât for everyone. Itâs brutal, exhausting, and lonely. But for those of us who choose this path, itâs worth every sacrifice.
The freedom to create your own destiny? Thatâs not something you can find in a 9-to-5. If youâre ready to jump in, Iâm here for you. Letâs build something real together.
Until next time, keep a forcefield around your heart and prioritize what matters.
âKnives
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Mike C Da Champ joins me for a raw conversation about life, music, and what it takes to never quitâeven when the odds are against you.
In this episode, we dive into:
* The origin of Mike Câs name and his unexpected connection to pro wrestling.
* How hip hop and storytelling became his escape and fuel for success.
* What it means to hustleâselling CDs, building a music career, and betting on yourself.
* The dark truths behind the music industry, selling your soul, and staying true to who you are.
* How to create longevity as an artist by loving the process, not the paycheck.
Mikeâs journey is a reminder that no matter what life throws at you, you can keep pushing.Wrestling matches end, but the hustle? Thatâs forever.
Listen to the full episode now, and letâs talk about what it really takes to build a legacy.
đ Want more? Explore storytelling, filmmaking, and creative hustle at KnivesMonroe.com.
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In this episode, Knives Monroe unpacks The Art of Shitposting Onlineâa blueprint for creating consistent, engaging content without burning out. Learn how to break free from overthinking, embrace imperfection, and leverage low-effort strategies to stay creative and connected. Topics include:
* Mastering the four pillars of content: words, audio, video, and photos.
* Turning cringe, trolls, and randomness into powerful tools.
* Building a sustainable content flow that keeps you in love with the process.
Discover more at KnivesMonroe.com
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