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- Mama Keys Story: “The Crack in the Concrete
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Baby, let me tell you somethin’.
There used to be this little patch of sidewalk right outside my cousin Nita’s beauty shop in South Philly. It was cracked and crooked — looked like it’d been stomped on by a whole marching band wearin’ church heels. Every time I walked past it, I’d think, “Now who gone fix this eyesore?”
One spring morning, I’m headin’ over there to get my press and curl, and what do I see pokin’ through that busted-up concrete?
A daisy.
Not a weed, not a thorny mess — a real, bonafide, sunshine-colored daisy. That flower had no business growin’ there, but it did. Right in the middle of the mess. No gardener, no perfect soil, no permission. Just willpower and grace.
That little flower didn’t wait for the sidewalk to get smooth. It bloomed anyway.
And baby, that’s you.
You might be in a job you can’t stand, a relationship that’s runnin’ on fumes, or a season of life that feels like it got you in a chokehold. But you can still bloom right there. You don’t need the perfect moment to grow — you need a little courage and a whole lotta faith.
Don’t wait to move to the suburbs of life before you decide to shine. If God planted you there, it means there's something in you that can thrive there.
So water yourself. Speak life into yourself. Stretch toward the light even when it’s cloudy.
Because baby — you are the daisy in the concrete. And the world needs your bloom right now.- Mama Keys
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CHARLIE HUSTLE TIP OF THE WEEK
/Charlie Hustle Tip: “Turn That Dirt Into Dollars”
Listen here, player — if you stuck in a spot that feel like dirt, don’t just sit there lookin’ dirty. Grow somethin’.
You at a job with folks who don’t appreciate you? Cool. Use that downtime to build your side hustle. Start sellin’ baked goods, designin’ T-shirts, doin’ resumes for people, fixin' phones — I don’t care. You better monetize that misery!
That job? That struggle? That’s your fertilizer, baby. Use it to grow some roots so deep they can’t yank you up when you rise.
Let ‘em talk. While they complainin’, you cultivatin’.
Charlie Hustle Rule #38: "Don’t wait to leave the hood to start a business — build the business that lets you leave."
Now go water them dreams. No excuses. Just execution.
The Charlie Hustle Worksheet
Grow Where You’re Planted — Even If It Feels Like Concrete
1. What's Your Concrete?
What in your life feels hard, unfair, or stuck right now?
(List one or two things that are holding you back or making you feel stuck.)
📝 __________________________________________________________
📝 __________________________________________________________
2. Where's the Light?
Even in hard times, there’s a little light peeking through. What brings you joy, hope, or energy right now?
🔦 __________________________________________________________
🔦 __________________________________________________________
3. Roots First, Bloom Later
Write one small step you can take this week to plant a seed — a hustle idea, self-care routine, business move, or mindset shift.
Step I’m taking this week:
4. Charlie Hustle’s Hustle Builder
Pick one quick hustle or income idea you can do with what you already have.
(Check one or write your own!)
☐ Resume writing
☐ Baking/Selling goods
☐ T-shirt design
☐ Tutoring
☐ Phone/computer repair
☐ Babysitting
☐ Freelance services
☐ My own hustle idea: ________________________________
5. Speak Life into Yourself
Mama Keys says: “You’re the daisy in the concrete.”
Write one affirmation to water your mindset every day this week:
💬 "I am ___________________________________________________."
💡 Bonus Challenge:
Post your planted seed on social media using the hashtag: #onstageplus #mamkeys
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