We recently connected with Anthony Murdock II and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Murdock with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I got my work ethic from my father. I didn’t have mentors growing up because I had my dad; a Black man who stood on his business and didn’t play about his family. He was deeply committed to discipline, consistency and provision. I saw the consequences of this commitment and in more ways than many, I adopted this same commitment in every area of my life. My father had me working in the yard at 7 years old; at a very early age I learned how to lay mulch, cut grass, rake leaves, shovel snow, drive landscaping equipment and even assemble furniture. Sometimes it seemed torturous, pointless or even brutal, but in reflection he was pruning me to do the things that most folks can’t, and at a level of proficiency that most folks can’t comprehend. I thank God for my father’s impact on me because I reap the fruits of those experiences to this day. It was not perfect but it was progressive.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Anthony Murdock II. I am a purpose-driven, action-oriented, servant-leader and proud product of Indianapolis, Indiana. I am a lawyer by trade, professor by occupation and business coach by passion. I believe stories have the power to break, build and bridge; so, I invest my time, talent and treasure in coaching Black entrepreneurs on how to master the art of storytelling. My ultimate goal is to play a meaningful role in the efforts for Black liberation and essential to those efforts are closing the racial wealth gap, namely by investing in Black entrepreneurship.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Skill: Time Management Quality: Discipline
Area of Knowledge: Black Political Thought
For anybody looking to grow in these areas, I’d challenge them to do these three things:
1. expose: find subject matter experts (SMEs) in these areas who communicate in a way you can appreciate and understand
2. educate: immerse yourself in the content provided by these SMEs; literally take a deep dive into their body of work
3. equip: create or engage with a community of people who are passionate about learning from these folks alongside you
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
the most impactful thing my father did for me was be there.
the most impactful thing my mother did for me was teach me the importance of emotional intelligence.
together, they taught me to always do the best i can with what i have.
neither of my parents were perfect and they taught me a lot of things that they were learning for the first time as they were raising me (I’m the oldest of three), but they did the best they could with what they had and it produced three children who grew and are a positive reflection of the family name.
Contact Info:
- Website: murdockllc.org
- Instagram: amurdock_ii
- Linkedin: Anthony Murdock II
- Twitter: amurdock_ii
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepowerpreneur
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/anthony-murdock-ii
Image Credits
Occupy Visuals: @way.too.g on instagram
