I didn’t start with a trust fund, a fancy degree, or a Silicon Valley network. I started with an
$8-an-hour job at Taco Bell, two hands, and a reason to make it work.
Before launching Prestige Knowledge LLC in 2019, I worked in a variety of service and retail jobs that taught me discipline, resilience, and how to connect with people from all walks of life. Those experiences shaped the way I approach problem-solving and leadership today. Each role taught me grit, but none promised financial freedom. My turning point came after that chapter, when I built and sold e-commerce stores. Entrepreneurship wasn’t just an option; it was my only path forward. I had no work visa, so traditional employment was off the table.
Fast forward to now: I focus on building tools, sharing knowledge, and creating systems that help others scale their businesses more effectively. My work centers on digital education, consulting, and SaaS-driven solutions, but the real goal is always empowering others to achieve sustainable growth. I take home seven figures annually, lead a small but mighty team of five employees and a few contractors, and invest across real estate, index funds, and digital products. My long-term plan is to retire at 50 with $25 million invested, living entirely off passive returns while funding the projects and causes I care about.
Tariffs: A Small Business Reality Check
As someone who has built multiple seven-figure e-commerce businesses, I can tell you tariffs aren’t just headlines; they’re survival tests.
When tariffs rise, costs spike overnight. For small online sellers like me, that means choosing between raising prices, cutting into margins, or slashing budgets elsewhere. None of those choices are great when you’re trying to scale. And unlike big corporations, small businesses don’t have deep reserves to cushion sudden blows.
The bigger issue is unpredictability. Inventory planning, launch schedules, and cash flow can collapse when policy changes hit without warning. We’re not hobbyists in garages anymore; we’re running real teams, managing global logistics, and serving customers who expect speed and consistency. Policymakers need to understand that transparency and lead time aren’t luxuries for us, they’re lifelines.
The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything
Tony Robbins said something that stuck with me: “You don’t get rich by working harder; you get rich by making your money work for you.”
I grew up watching my dad work multiple jobs, so I thought hustle alone was the formula. But hustle without strategy is just burnout with extra steps. My breakthrough came when I started building income-producing assets such as online stores, SaaS platforms, rental properties, and digital products.
I automated my savings and investments early, and I’m doing the same for my sons now. Multiple income streams aren’t a luxury, they’re security. Another Robbins principle I live by is “Success leaves clues.” Early on, I couldn’t afford coaching or courses, so I reverse-engineered success by studying interviews, reading books, and tracking what top performers did. I still do that today.
Five Smart Wealth Moves for Beginners
These aren’t theories; they’re the moves that took me from $8/hour to millions:
Invest in your skill set before stocks.
The fastest ROI I ever got was from learning e-commerce and digital marketing. Those skills paid for everything else.
Start a side hustle early.
From flipping phones to reselling sneakers, my first ventures were small, but they built confidence and seed capital.
Open a Roth IRA now.
Even when I was broke, I contributed something. Time is your biggest compounding advantage.
Avoid lifestyle creep.
When my income grew, I bought assets, not liabilities. That gap between earnings and expenses accelerates wealth.
Think in decades, not paychecks.
Long-term thinking changes daily decisions, and those decisions compound.
Why I Share My Story
It’s easy to believe wealth is reserved for the lucky or the connected. I’m proof that’s not true. I didn’t have a safety net; I had a willingness to learn, a bias toward action, and a refusal to settle.
If you’re just starting out, focus on building skills, stacking small wins, and playing the long game. Your first dollar earned outside a paycheck will teach you more about wealth than a hundred motivational quotes.
Because at the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to earn more. It’s to own your time, your freedom, and your future.
