When I look back at my journey, many times it seems like a movie and not my actual life. It is only by the grace of God and his covering that has gotten me to this point in my life. Growing up in the inner city of Baltimore wasn’t easy. I lived in the wrong place, and i was able to evade it ever being the wrong time. I have had countless close encounters, I’m still counting my blessings.

My mother worked tirelessly to keep food on the table, and I saw firsthand the struggles that comes with financial instability. I have 8 siblings and my mom was mostly a single parent, like too many women in the inner-city. Watching her hustle taught me the value of hard work and perseverance, lessons I’ve carried with me throughout my life. By the age of 22, I found myself married with three children, and as the sole income earner, the weight of providing for my family rested squarely on my shoulders as well.

I was determined to create a better life for my children but the road was anything but smooth. In the mid-1990s, I was fired from two jobs within six months. The first was at Toyota, where I sold cars for $1,000 a month. I was let go after only three months. Not long after, I landed another position at Nationwide Warehouse, selling furniture for $1,500 a month. But three months later, I was fired again. That second time was devastating, the longest ride home I think I ever took.

For many, those setbacks might have been crushing, and honestly, they were tough to process. But I refused to let those moments define me. Instead, they fueled my determination to find something better, something that would give me the control over my future that I so desperately needed. That opportunity came in the form of a commission-only sales job with Electrolux, selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door. It was a risky move, but I embraced the challenge.

That first year at Electrolux changed my life. I made over $50,000—a far cry from my previous earnings—and more importantly, I realized that I could take control of my financial destiny. I thrived in that environment and never earned less than $50,000 again. It was a pivotal moment, one that showed me what was possible when I believed in myself and worked relentlessly toward my goals.

In 1998, I founded Platinum Agency, an insurance and tax agency. Over the next few years, I expanded the business into non-attorney legal services, offering credit repair, incorporations, living trusts, and Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings. By 2002, Platinum Agency was handling 20% f the state’s Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases, helping thousands of hardworking individuals regain control of their finances. At its peak, the business generated several million dollars in revenue, and I felt proud knowing my business was making a real difference in people’s lives.

However, success comes with its own set of challenges. Jealous competitors made it increasingly difficult for me to operate in the legal services industry. I was forced to cut prices and eventually sold the business to a law firm. Walking away from something I had built was tough, but it taught me one of the most important lessons in business: never put all your eggs in one basket.

Rather than dwell on the setback, I used it as an opportunity to reinvent myself. Over the years, I’ve developed multiple brands across a variety of industries. One of my proudest ventures is Fortune Publishing Group, where I’ve helped aspiring authors write and publish their books in less than 90 days. As a ghostwriter, I’ve had the privilege of helping business owners share their stories and strengthen their brands, further expanding my impact in the entrepreneurial world.

Today, I manage over 13 brands, all focused on empowering entrepreneurs to achieve financial independence. One of my flagship ventures is GetBiz.Credit, a Comprehensive Business Credit Building System designed o help business owners access large amounts of credit without using their Social Security numbers or personal guarantees. It’s a step-by-step system that includes videos, audio lessons, and an online dashboard to track progress. Business owners also gain access to essential financial resources and vendors that are crucial for building strong credit profiles. I’ve also written a book, “GetBiz.Credit,” to offer deeper insights into the process, and I’m working on a mobile app to make the system even more accessible.

In addition to GetBiz.Credit, I’ve found a new passion in sharing my journey and the lessons I’ve learned through my podcast, “Mind Your Business.” The podcast airs every Wednesday on mindyourbizexpert.com, YouTube, Pandora, Spotify, Iheart Radio and many other places podcasts are istened to, just search for “Mind Your Business with Max Fortune” and you will find it. I thoroughly enjoy my interviews with business owners who share not just their successes but also their struggles and how they overcame them. My goal with the podcast is to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with real-world insights and actionable advice they can use to navigate their own journeys.

Over the past 30 years, I’ve learned that resilience and reinvention are key to success. From my early struggles in Baltimore to building multiple businesses, I’ve seen firsthand that challenges don’t have to define
you. It’s how you respond to those challenges that matters.

To anyone reading this article who feels stuck or unsure of their next steps, I want you to know this: success is within your reach. It takes hard work, determination, and sometimes a willingness to take risks, but the rewards are worth it. Whether through GetBiz.Credit, my podcast, or my other ventures, I’m committed to helping others achieve financial freedom and create the lives they deserve.

If you’d like to learn more about how I can help you on your entrepreneurial journey, visit GetBiz.Credit. And don’t forget to tune in to “Mind Your Business” every Wednesday at mindyourbizexpert.com. Remember, your success story is waiting to be written—you just have to take the first step.