Elbow Grease

Elbow Grease

September 11, 2025

Some things in life just take a little more effort.

The other night I was washing dishes, nothing major, just cleaning up after myself. Everything was easy at first — plates, cups, silverware, quick rinse, little soap, done. Then I got to one pot. And this pot had that hardened seasoning stuck to the bottom, the kind that laughs at you when you try to just rinse it away. I tried the soft approach, and nothing moved. For a second I looked at it like, man, this is pointless. I thought about setting it down and walking away.

But I didn’t. I dug in, pressed a little harder, put some elbow grease into it. And just like that, piece by piece, the seasoning started to break up. A few more scrubs and the pot was spotless, like nothing was ever stuck there in the first place.

That’s life right there.

Most things start off smooth, like washing those first dishes. You don’t even think about it. But then you hit that one spot, that one task, that one problem that doesn’t move so easily. Could be your career, your art, a relationship, or even just something small on your to-do list. And that’s the moment where most people stop. They say, “I’ll come back to it later.” But later doesn’t always come.

The truth is, most things that feel “undoable” aren’t impossible. They’re just stubborn. They need that little extra push past your first try. That extra focus, that extra pressure, that extra decision to not walk away. Because once you lean in, you find out it’s not as tough as it looked.

Elbow grease is really just the difference between almost finishing and actually finishing. It’s the choice to push past that resistance. And once you do, you realize the thing standing in your way was never as strong as it seemed — it was just waiting for you to give a little more.

So whether you’re chasing a dream, trying to build discipline, or just fighting through the small stuff that makes life feel heavy, remember the pot. Remember how it felt impossible until I decided to stick with it. Remember that most things just need effort, not excuses.

Because in the end, it’s never really about the pot. It’s about your willingness to scrub through the hard spots in life and come out clean on the other side.

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When I Validated Myself

When I Validated Myself

March 25, 2025

When I was younger, every time I finished a drawing, I would rush to show my family. Their reactions were always over the top—full of excitement and praise. It felt good, like I had done something truly special.

But over time, their responses became more routine. Instead of the enthusiasm I was used to, I started hearing quick, casual responses: "Oh, nice." That was when it hit me—I needed to stop seeking reactions and just create for myself.

I think about those early days, drawing picture after picture, long before social media existed. There was no one to post them for, no audience to impress. I would finish a piece, look at it in awe, and simply add it to my personal collection. It was pure. I drew because I loved it, not because I was waiting for someone to tell me it was good.

Now, when I post and create, my only real question is: Do I think it’s dope? Because if I like it, someone else will too. And even if only one person connects with it, chances are, five others will, and so on. But that’s secondary. The real win is that I don’t need approval from anyone for what I do.

Self-validation freed me from the pressure of chasing approval. I wake up, thank God, ask Him to order my steps, and then I move—creating, expressing, living. No permission needed.

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The Case for Strategic Careers in the Family: Balancing Passion and Practicality

The Case for Strategic Careers in the Family: Balancing Passion and Practicality

March 6, 2025

Lawyer Harry making sure the fam is good, lol.

There’s a reason every successful family—especially in Black wealth-building—needs a lawyer, accountant, and doctor. These aren’t just career choices; they’re pillars of sustainability, protection, and generational progress. When families have these roles covered, they don’t have to rely on outsiders who may not have their best interests at heart. Instead, they can move as a unit, ensuring that knowledge, resources, and power stay within the family.

I’ve seen firsthand how this plays out. Just recently, I was able to help my cousin for free with a legal issue that could’ve otherwise cost thousands. If I weren’t a lawyer, he might have been forced to settle for whatever public defense or overpriced legal services he could afford. But because I pursued law—strategically, not just for personal gain but as a family asset—I was able to step in. That’s wealth in action, not just in terms of money but in access and security.

The Black Family’s Missing Infrastructure

Black families often struggle with wealth retention, not because of a lack of talent or ambition, but because of a lack of infrastructure. Wealth isn’t just about making money; it’s about keeping it, growing it, and passing it down. Without the right people in place, families lose money to bad contracts, poor investments, unnecessary medical bills, and legal pitfalls.

We’ve seen other communities master this formula. The lawyer ensures no one gets taken advantage of. The accountant ensures money is managed and grown properly. The doctor ensures health remains a priority, keeping the family functioning at full capacity. This setup isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Passion Still Matters, But So Does Strategy

Now, here’s the caveat: children shouldn’t be forced into careers they hate. That’s how you end up with resentful, underperforming professionals who never reach their full potential. Instead, families should observe their kids early, see what they naturally gravitate toward, and nudge them into paths that align with both passion and practicality.

For me, I always had artistic talent. If I blindly chased that with no strategy, I could have ended up a starving artist, struggling to make ends meet. But I followed my passion with logic and strategy, choosing law as a stable foundation that could fund and empower my creative pursuits. Now, I can create without the pressure of desperation. Success in law makes pursuing art easier, not harder.

A Family Plan for Career Success

The solution isn’t about strict enforcement; it’s about intentionality. Families should sit down and discuss, “Okay, who’s going to take on what? Who’s best suited for law, finance, or medicine? What’s a sustainable way for each child to contribute to the family’s strength?”

This isn’t about limiting options—it’s about expanding them in a structured way. When every member plays their part, the family moves like a corporation, each person contributing to a greater vision.

The ultimate goal? Self-sufficiency, longevity, and generational power. Because when you build a family where the money stays, the knowledge stays, and the resources stay—Black wealth stops being a dream and starts being a reality.

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LEVELING UP COMES WITH ASSISTANCE

LEVELING UP COMES WITH ASSISTANCE

February 27, 2025

Every time I’ve leveled up in life, it came with some form of assistance—divine timing, the right person stepping in, or a door opening at the perfect moment. It’s never been just me grinding alone; the pieces always align when I’m ready for the next step.

WELÇOME's Breakthrough: The Domestic Plug

When I first started pushing WELÇOME heavy, my main goal was to secure a domestic distributor. At the time, I was paying too much with my international supplier, and unless I had big orders, I’d take a loss. I accepted that as part of the process—loss leaders are a natural part of business—but I knew I needed profit to keep things moving.

I wrote down the goal: Get a domestic distributor.

Then, as my sales grew, the opportunity literally presented itself, just as I had written. Since making that switch, WELÇOME has been booming, and my costs are down while my profits are up. That level-up wasn’t just about working hard; it came with the right connection at the right time.

My Deepest Discovery: An Album by JHarry, executive produced by DJ Mic Jack

My Deepest Discovery: A Necessary Assist

I’ve been working on My Deepest Discovery for two years. The project was basically done, but for some reason, I hadn’t pulled the trigger on releasing it. Something in me felt like I was missing a final piece.

Then, out of nowhere, my boy Jack hit me up:
"Bro, let me engineer your next tape."

I didn’t hesitate—bet. I had all the songs ready, so I sent them over. What Jack did with the mixes was something I simply couldn’t have done myself. I lack the technical skills he has, and his ear brought out a new level of depth in my music. That’s when it hit me: this is about to be a big project.

I’ve had moments like this before—"Long May He Reign" opened doors for me, and "Twerkin in the Rain" had a semi-viral moment. But this time, with Jack locked in and us working on a full project together for the first time since high school, I feel like something special is about to happen.

Why would this collaboration come together now, after all these years, if it wasn’t leading to something major?

So here it is: My Deepest Discovery drops 3.13.2025 on all streaming platforms.
Pre-orders coming soon. Let’s see where this level-up takes me.

Edit: this article was published after the release of my deepest discovery , so you can get the album now, head to the merchandise tab to purchase and its on streaming.