I walked out of my college graduation ceremony early before my name was even called. I graduated from Kean University (NJ) in 2009. On a rainy humid day in a fully packed outdoor stadium, I hopped over my chair & left the rain delayed graduation ceremony with my sopping wet black cap half way through to drive down the shore. Booked our engagement photoshoot the same day.

It was a major accomplishment – I was the first one in my family to graduate from college. I was also the first one to have the word ‘college’ drilled into my head since elementary school.

Because our parental generation believed that we could do anything with a college degree. That our lives would be so much better off than theirs if we just got a college education.

Yet here we are today with the student loan deficit past a trillion dollars (I’m still paying mine off) and a young girl named Jojo Siwa has a networth of 12 million. [side note she may be annoying but damn she built a notable & profitable personal brand identity ]

Skipping past variable feelings I’ve had with my college experience, debt, ill preparing for securing a career — I will say that I am very thankful for my higher education. I use it everyday. Yet, I will never pressure my children to go to college.

If they choose to start a business, travel the world, or train to become a plumber – I will support their decision 100%. I have not & will not drill the message that they will be broke, unhappy or flipping burgers if they do not go to college. Who else heard those lines growing up? 😒

College is not for everyone & a very expensive piece of paper declaring their achievement does not make them better than someone without one. In my eyes there is no better time for entrepreneurship.

Take the leap, learn what you can, how you can, & utilize everything you’re great at to build a new family legacy.