Thread by @TurnkeyChicago

I’m 40.

I have two young kids, ages 5 & 7.

Here are the 13 life lessons I’m teaching them every single day:

1. "Treat others how you want to be treated"

I tell every property manager they can call me directly.

No assistants. No waiting.

My kids asked why.

"Because that's how I'd want to be treated."

The golden rule works in life and business.

2. "Apologize quickly when you're wrong"

I used to get defensive 15 years ago.

Doesn't work.

Now when I mess up, I own it immediately.

My kids watch me do this.

They're learning: admitting mistakes is strength, not weakness.

3. "Joy comes more from giving than receiving"

My kids help me count inventory.

Pack products.

Stock machines.

They love the work more than the money.

My daughter spots vending machines in movies and gets excited.

That's joy from creation, not consumption.

4. "Listening is more powerful than talking"

When I meet property managers, I let them talk first.

Tell me their problems.

Their needs.

Then I know exactly how to help.

My kids are learning: shut up and listen.

You'll win more by talking less.

5. "Never stop learning. The world rewards curiosity"

My grandmother worked till she was 82.

Took the L train downtown Chicago at 80 years old.

Walked to City Hall.

That work ethic is in my blood.

I'm passing it to my kids.

6. "Discipline beats motivation"

Most days you won't "feel like it."

I tell my kids this all the time.

They watch me work when I don't want to.

Show up when it's hard.

Discipline is doing it anyway.

7. "Prioritize Family first"

When I got laid off, my wife and I had a choice:

Corporate job making $200-250K but traveling constantly.

Or build something where I could drive my kids to school.

We chose family.

Always will.

8. "When in doubt, bet on yourself"

I left the mortgage business in 2009.

Left real estate in 2023.

Started over twice.

My kids see this: betting on yourself isn't gambling.

It's the safest investment you can make.

9. "Learn to manage emotions, or they'll manage you"

I used to scream at people who frustrated me.

15 years ago.

Doesn't work.

Now I empathize. Stay calm. Find solutions.

My kids are watching.

Learning emotional control by example.

10. "Small habits shape big futures"

Every single day, I was checking sales reports.

Running numbers.

Making calls.

The constant action doesn't let your mind wander.

My kids see this consistency.

Success is daily disciplines, not single moments.

11. "Don't be afraid to stand alone for what's right"

People thought I was crazy leaving real estate for vending.

"You're throwing away your career."

19 months later, I've built something bigger.

My kids learned: the crowd isn't always right.

12. "Happiness isn't found in things, it's in moments"

When Taylor Swift sings "into the glow of the vending machine" in Cruel Summer...

My daughter yells "VENDING MACHINE!" from the backseat.

My son asks what "business development" means.

These moments matter more than money.

13. "Never give up. You only fail when you quit"

First 6 months, I only had 3 locations.

Could have quit.

Didn't.

Failure wasn't an option for me.

The constant action kept me from getting in my own head.

My kids see this: persistence isn't optional.

The real lesson?

Your kids aren't listening to your advice.

They're watching your life.

Every decision.
Every reaction.
Every priority.

That list on their wall is just words.

What matters is they see me live it every single day.

What are your kids learning from watching you?

Let me know below.

& If you enjoyed this breakdown…

Follow me @TurnkeyChicago for more content like this.