I don’t think it’s a stretch to say Bah Humbug to 2020. Yeesh. What a year.

✅ Covid-19.

✅ Businesses shuttering.

✅ People out of work.

✅ A hemorrhaging economy.

✅ Political and social unrest.

Don’t you think Ebenezer Scrooge would be right at home during Covid-19? Making money off the backs of lowly clerks. Evicting people. Turning tragedy into his triumph!!

I think Scrooge, the Disney’fied Scrooge, has a hand in how some people view members of today’s Self Made Nation.

Business owners are the engines that drive our economy. Most of us are constantly giving back and are incredibly thankful for the independence success has brought us.

Unapologetic? Sure.

Thankful? You betcha.

Bah Humbug!

I revisited A Christmas Carol recently, and realized Scrooge was, as most of us are, a person with many layers. He was deeply affected by the traumas of his past. Had shut out the world. And only saw riches. And, until visited by an empathetic witness to that trauma, was he reminded of what really matters. And how his wealth could further contribute positively, not just to his life but to the world around him.

This conceit – giving back, seeing the suffering of others – simply wasn’t a part of Victorian England, and it became the driving force behind much of Dickens’ writing, including A Christmas Carol.

Written in 1843, Dickens was inspired by a visit to the Field Lane Ragged School, a care home (and I use the term “care” loosely) for London's street children. For in Victorian England, the gaps between rich and poor were Grand Canyon’esque.

Nineteenth century London was a city of enormous wealth and opportunity, as well as unfathomable poverty. Millions lived in overcrowded and unsanitary inner-city slums, and children were left to fend for themselves in the dirty streets. Oliver Twist, anybody? Dickens was horrified by the living conditions and he fought hard for change.

Dickens’ biographer said A Christmas Carol was, “…intended to open its readers' hearts towards those struggling to survive on the lower rungs of the economic ladder and to encourage practical benevolence, but also to warn of the terrible danger to society created by the toleration of widespread ignorance and actual want among the poor.” It behooves us all to remember that intention, as we dig out from under Covid-19’s impact on the economy, and each other. Most members of the Self Made Nation already give back to our communities. Perhaps it’s time to dig a little deeper, if possible.

Be Unapologetically Wealthy

I was inspired to write about Scrooge, A Christmas Carol, and the Self Made Nation’s approach to unapologetic wealth by an unprompted LinkedIn direct message I received. And I speak more about this message, and what was said (hence, my inspiration) in this week’s episode of “I’m a Millionaire! So Now what?” – have a listen if you can.

Here’s the thing: I don’t believe anyone should apologize for building wealth. I see co-founders and business owners as the engine driving our economy. I recognize the crazy amount of time we’ve spent and the risks we’ve taken to get to a certain level of success. And yes, I believe people deserve to be compensated for same.

In fact, I see building wealth as the intersection of real bridges: financial freedom and self-reliance, with a heavy dose of contributing, giving back - to the community and the world. Just as Scrooge realized when presented with his Christmases past, present, and future.

Like Scrooge, we all have a past, present, and a future. Many of us have experienced our own private traumas that have helped shape us, even drive us to our eventual success. Many if not ALL of us give back in myriad ways. Teaching. Mentoring. Investing in young startups. Fundraising. Helping veterans re-enter civilian lives. Creating community initiatives. Lifting others up.

So yes, please - say Bah Humbug to anyone who implies it’s not deserved or is in some way unseemly.

Let’s make our future – 2021 and beyond - richer than ever. In every way.

Enjoy the holidays, be safe, and in the immortal words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us, everyone.”

If you’re an entrepreneur looking to exit, or you’re at the helm of a thriving business or startup, I would love to talk with you about your stories! You can drop me a line here.

Plus, if you are craving like-minded conversation with growth-oriented business owners, consider joining me and eight other business owners, investors and entrepreneurs for our next two editions of Elevated Conversations - watch this space for more details!