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In a recent episode of No BS Wealth, these two Black entrepreneurs shared their journeys and the valuable lessons they learned along the way. Their conversation offers powerful insights for anyone looking to escape limiting environments and build wealth on their own terms.
Meet Izzy Baker: From St. Louis to Success
Izzy Baker, creator of PSA: The Mental Health Podcast, knew from an early age that he needed to chart his own course. Growing up in St. Louis in a two-parent household until his parents divorced when he was around eight, Izzy always had big dreams that didn’t fit the traditional mold.
“I remember being at 10 years old, telling my one of my aunties I wanted to move to New York. And then I ended up going to New York as an adult and I love, that’s still one of my favorite cities.”
Despite facing pushback from family members who couldn’t understand his desire to leave, Izzy followed his instincts. He moved to Houston in 2012 to attend Texas Southern University, where he graduated with a degree in English and a minor in sports management.
Breaking Away from Old Expectations
One of the most powerful themes from their conversation was how older generations often discourage creative career paths. Izzy shared how his father reacted when he expressed interest in comedy:
“I said I wanted to be a comedian. And I remember I told him that and he just, anytime that would come up throughout the years, he would like… try to like, no you cannot. Don’t do that.”
Izzy believes this mindset problem affects many families:
“This generation has broken the mold for how things are supposed to be… The generation before the millennials, they have not an innovation, innovative bone in their body. They were taught go to work, get you a job. Call it today.”
Finding Success in Unexpected Places
Today, Izzy works as a full-time ghostwriter and podcaster, creating content that helps others while building his own wealth. His podcast focuses on mental health for millennial men who “struggle with making healthy decisions.”
After seven years of consistent work, he’s now preparing for his ninth season and has interviewed over 100 guests. His success proves that following your passion can lead to both personal fulfillment and financial rewards.
The Trap of People-Pleasing
Both entrepreneurs discussed how cultural pressure to care for everyone else before yourself can keep people stuck in poverty. Stoy pointed out that many families remain in financial struggle because they prioritize supporting others over building their own foundation first.
Izzy agreed, explaining:
“How can you pull forward my cup that’s half empty? How can you pull forward an empty cup? Like so if you give it to everybody else but you, you never take care of you. It’s like, how does that work? And then in my opinion, you’re enabling them.”
Key Lessons for Breaking Free
Their conversation offered several powerful insights for anyone looking to create success:
1. Recognize Your Natural Talents
Pay attention to what excites you and what you’re naturally good at, even if others don’t see the value. As Izzy explained:
“God gives you signs of what a person is supposed to do at a very young age, even if you overlook it.”
2. Be Willing to Start Small
Success rarely happens overnight. As Izzy wisely noted:
“It takes 10 years to become an overnight success. And I’m on year seven.”
3. Use Education or Other Opportunities to Get Out
Sometimes you need a practical path to escape limiting environments:
“The easiest way to get out the city is to go to school… and in some people’s case, go to the military.”
4. Don’t Feel Guilty About Putting Yourself First
Both entrepreneurs agreed that taking care of your own needs and ambitions isn’t selfish—it’s necessary for building lasting wealth that can eventually help others too.
Start Your Own Journey Today
The most important takeaway from this powerful conversation? Figure out what truly excites you and take steps to build a life around it:
“You need to figure out what it is that you enjoy doing. What is it that you like doing? What is it that just excites you? People are literally paid to give commentary on reality TV on YouTube… You can do whatever you want to do.”
Whether you’re considering starting a business, launching a podcast, or exploring any other creative path, Stoy and Izzy’s conversation offers both inspiration and practical wisdom for breaking free from limitations and building true wealth.
Connect with Izzy Baker: