Over the years, I watched my mom go from a Jewel-Osco cashier to Bank Teller, to a Home Loan Officer. At the end of her life, she was making more than 90k. If it wasn’t for that damn colon cancer, I’m sure she would have clocked that coveted 6 figures before 40.

That’s pretty damn good for a single mom of three with no college degree.

Hands down my mother was the ultimate hustler. Honestly, many of the single mothers I know are driven on a level of purpose regular folks will never understand. They feel like they have to do the work for the absent parent. I imagine that’s exactly how my mom felt. Single mothers can teach us the true value of HUSTLE.

My mother always had a job and a vision for her next move. The Janel motto was, “If you want it, work for it.”

When she made the decision to buy a home I remember it vividly. She told me and my younger brother we would have to stay with our Grandmother while she saved money. She moved into a studio apartment close to her job. I now understand that she needed to work multiple jobs to save money and wanted to be sure we were with a trusted relative while she worked non-stop. There is nobody more trustworthy than Granny.

She moved into a studio apartment close to her job so work multiple jobs to save money and wanted to be sure we were with a trusted relative while she worked non-stop. There is nobody more trustworthy than Granny.

As a mother, I know that had to be tough decision for her to separate herself from her kids. Her goals were much bigger than her comfort zone. Luckly, she had an amazing support system that supported her goals.

During this time, my mother became a licensed Real Estate Agent, worked at a retail store and held down her 9 – 5 as a home Loan Officer. Can you say GRINDMODE.

She was focused on buying her family a home and she did it. 2 years later, we moved into a 2 bedroom, three floor townhouse – not far from my Grandmother’s house. Me and my brother were all too geeked to get our own rooms. The backyard was huge with a deck and two car garage. She was 31 years old.

Watching my mother do what was necessary to give us stability taught me a valuable lesson. Sometimes, we must be unstable to experience stability. She could have just said, I’ll stay with my mother since she has empty rooms. Nope, she wanted her own. She wanted to prove to herself that she didn’t need a man, handouts or a degree to purchase a home. All she needed was faith, focus and a crazy drive to succeed.

Her work ethic serves as the blueprint for my life. In the short 19 years I had with her she proved that statics mean nothing when you’re willing to sacrifice and COMMIT.

So my question to you is, do your kids know what you’re working towards?

If not, maybe it’s time you let your kids in on your vision.

Let them know you are building a legacy that they will one day takeover. I’m forever thankful for sacrifices my Mom had for her life and her kids. That vision gave me an advantage in life.

Now, I’m taking our family legacy to the next level.

Where are you taking your family?