We had the good fortune of connecting with Greg Lakey and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Greg, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My wife and I are both educators. We both dedicate an enormous amount of time to our craft and still feel a pinch a week after we have been paid. Our mother’s have tremendous entrepreneurial spirits so starting a business was only a matter of time.
Within the past 15 years we have purchased several pieces of art from up-and-coming artist, crowdfunded several businesses and purchased a rental property of our own. I understand enough about taxes and liability to start a business and create a buffer between our business and our personal assets.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been a Mathematics Educator for over 20 years. Within this time I have developed courses and created accompanying curriculum such as the following:
Cars, Ramps, Photogates: An Integrated Approach to Teaching Linear Equations (Curriculum)
Standard Deviation and the Stock Market (Curriculum)
I am a National Board Certified Educator and have obtained a Masters of Arts in Education with an Emphasis in Learning, Design, and Technology.
As a Black Male Math Educator I pride myself on approaching the profession differently. Along with curriculum creation I worked with another Black Male Math Educator to cultivate Mathematic Battle Raps for our students. It was a little challenging, but extremely fun and just different.
Sustaining the energy to teach children has been a little exhausting. This is why I am stepping away from the classroom after this school year. I want to impact education, but have a little more flexibility with how I do so.
Transparency has been the key to my success. I have had very few parent complaints over my 20 year career because parents know what key assignments are due and what my classroom expectations are. That same level of transparency has to be consistent when engaging with parents, students, colleagues, administration, and myself. This is why a move out of the class is needed. I am extremely dedicated to my craft; to the point of exhaustion. My own kids are at ages where they need more of my support and I would like to be more consistent for them.
I have learned that you have step into every situation like you belong there. I have experience and am well qualified in so many areas, but it is amazing how many people see Black skin and automatically doubt my intelligence. I have a mantra with my kids “Forget Them”, but I do not say Forget! This is about not giving anyone the power to make you feel less than. In this world of social media anonymity, and just basic lack of care for others, anyone can have a dissenting voice. Let them! You do you and learn from the successes and the failures. Anyone that is not the majority in any space they inhabit has to have a “Forget Them” mindset.
The company my wife and I started is called Financial Footprint Ventures, LLC. Our entire brand is about legacy; “What financial tools, inheritance, knowledge, are we leaving to our heirs?” We are starting from scratch. We did not receive funds and tools from our ancestors so we are trying to learn and instill simultaneously.
The sole purpose of this company is to establish financial legacy for us and others through intentional investments. Through strategic partnerships with enterprising artists and start-up businesses; we will use seed money to provide venture capital towards their vision of financial independence. Additionally, another arm of our company is real estate investment. Through this component of the business, we will purchase properties in underserved communities hit by the pandemic. We will use seed money for the down payment and rehab costs to revitalize the homes. We will partner with low-income housing organizations so that struggling families have access to newly remodeled homes. Additionally, we aim to establish rent -to-own buying programs with tenants through local lenders. They may start off as renters, but the purpose of our real estate division is to have every tenant solidify their financial legacy through home ownership.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Eureka is a nice spot. I would love to say that it is in Inglewood, but I think that part of the city is considered Gardena. Hilltop has been a gem, as well as Sip and Sonder. Cork and Batter is good as well as the new Luxury Cinema in the SOFI plaza. Disneyland has priced so many people out of that enjoyment, but Downtown Disney is a great backup option. With regards to Museums; CAAM, LACMA, Natural History Museum, and The Huntington Library are all great choices. Outside of the aforementioned choices, the outdoor deck that my son and I built is the best place to hang. At home, free, with excellent vibes!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To be honest, I have had moments of faltering faith, but I have found my way out of situations that only a higher power could have guided me through. So, the Lord has to be first to receive credit for my success up until now.
My mother is a person that has been supportive in every avenue of my life. Her unwavering love for me and my family has made my expeditions into uncharted business territories a little easier to navigate.
My wife is a great human being. No matter what physical ailments or lapses in confidence I have endured, she has been a rock of support. Any business venture or investment I am considering, she has been very encouraging (if I bring her data that line up with out long term financial goals).
My kids are my best creations! I love all 3 of them so much and push myself as hard as I do so that I can leave them more than just stories when I pass away. They are each wonderful people and exemplify the best of me and their mother.
The Martin’s have been wonderful additions to our family. In the last 20 years we have been there for each other in so many ways. I can thank you enough for being in our lives exactly how we need you to be.
The Longino’s I have known for more than 30 years. We were 9th graders walking home together, now we are talking about vacations and property. It has been a blessing to see our families grow together.
Website: https://www.gplpublishing.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakeysclass/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-p-lakey-819053158/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gregorylakey3612?app=desktop
Other: Mr. Lakey’s Blog https://mrlakey.blogspot.com/