It’s Thanksgiving week here in the States, and it always gets me thinking about gratitude – not in the “say what you’re thankful for before the turkey gets cold” kind of way, but in a deeper, quieter sense. The kind that comes from looking at what really matters and asking, “Am I living in a way that honors that?”.

When I started my first business, I was focused on survival. Making it work, getting to the next month without losing sleep over bills. I couldn’t have imagined that decades later, my work would allow me to create freedom, security, and joy.  Not just for me, but for my family, my team, my clients, and countless entrepreneurs I’ve had the privilege of working with. You starting to feel the feels yet?

Family and the foundation of gratitude

At the heart of it all is family. My wife and kids are the reason I keep pushing, keep learning, and keep building. Their laughter, support, and patience remind me every day that business is not just about numbers on a balance sheet. It’s about quality of life.

Life is demanding for business owners. There are long days, lots of travel, and decisions that can make or break you. But my family gives me perspective. They remind me why I do what I do, and they keep me grounded. Every milestone, every success, every lesson learned…it’s better because I get to share it with them. (And of course, because they put up with me.)

Team and shared success

Over the years, Kelsey (The Prez) and I have worked to create a business that gives back: profit-sharing, flexible schedules, and opportunities for growth. When my team thrives, I thrive. And when we thrive together, the impact reaches even further to the clients we serve, the entrepreneurs we mentor, and the communities we touch.

It’s a reminder that business isn’t just about what you make, it’s about what you give. The systems I’ve built through Profit First, The Money Habit, and my books aren’t just tools to generate income; they’re tools to create freedom. Freedom for families, freedom for teams, freedom for entrepreneurs to focus on what really matters.

Gratitude for the people who make it possible

None of this, my family’s security, my team’s opportunities, or the ability to support other entrepreneurs, exists in isolation. It exists because of you. The reader, the customer, the client, the entrepreneur who chooses to trust my methods, buy a book, attend a workshop, a keynote speech, or share a moment of their journey with me.

You make the entire ecosystem possible. Your engagement allows me to create the resources, strategies, and frameworks that help thousands of people find clarity, confidence, and control over their lives and businesses. Every email you open, every book you read, every session you attend isn’t just a transaction; it’s a partnership in building something meaningful.

I want to be very clear: when I talk about gratitude, I’m talking about you. Your trust, your belief, your willingness to act on what I share make my work real. It allows me to pour into my team, my family, and the wider entrepreneurial community. Without you, none of the impact I hope to have would be possible.

A simple gratitude practice

Here’s something I encourage you to do this Thanksgiving: take a moment to look at your business and your personal life, and ask yourself:

Who has made my journey possible?
Who am I grateful for today, and have I told them?How can I use the resources I have to lift up others?

Then take action. Write a note to a client, thank your team, give your family an extra dose of your attention, or contribute to a cause that matters. These are the moments that give meaning to your money, your business, and your life.

Entrepreneurship is messy, chaotic, and exhausting. But it’s also a gift. This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for the chance to serve, for my family, my team, my clients, and for you. You’re reason I get to do this work. Success isn’t just what you build; it’s who you become and who you help along the way. Thank you for letting me be part of your journey.

Here’s to gratitude and making a meaningful impact. 

Happy Thanksgiving.

-Mike

 

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