Kenny Sotherlund - Financial Representative

03/23/2026

02/26/2026

In honor of Black History Month, I challenged myself to dive deeper into Black history. I chose to read Black Fortunes by Shomari Wills because it blends two things that matter deeply to me: freedom, both personal and financial.

After slavery, traditional routes to wealth weren’t available, so Black entrepreneurs created their own paths. They took what little they had, invested in land and opportunities, reinvested profits, and strategically positioned themselves to create their own luck.

Their approach provides lessons that still resonate today: start small, reinvest wisely, and turn each success into the next opportunity.

02/17/2026

THE FIRE HORSE RULES.

Happy Lunar New Year. We’re officially in the Year of the Fire Horse and it only happens once every 60 years. It’s high energy, fast-paced, and if you aren’t careful, it’ll burn through your reserves before you even see it coming.

If you’re following the traditions today, here are the rules:

1. Put the broom away. Don't sweep or take out the trash today. The idea is you don’t want to sweep your luck out the front door before it’s had a chance to settle.

2. Watch your mouth. No talk of "loss," "debt," or "misfortune" today. The tradition says the words you use on day one set the frequency for the next 364. Keep the vibe high.

3. The Noodle Rule. If you’re eating long noodles, don’t cut them. A long, unbroken noodle is a long, unbroken life. Shortcuts today lead to shortcuts later.

4. Balance the Fire. Since it’s a Fire Horse year, people are swapping some of the bright red for blues and greens to keep things cool and calculated.

Traditions are just a way of practicing discipline and intentionality. Whether you believe in the "luck" or not, starting the year with a clear house and a focused mind is never a bad move.

02/16/2026

If you’re getting a tax refund this year, I have a challenge for you.

Try not to spend a single dime of it on anything that comes with a sales tax.

Think about it. The government already took a cut of that money before you saw it. If you take what’s left and go buy something at the store, they’re just tagging you a second time on the same dollar. You’re getting double-taxed on your own hard work.

A better use for that money is giving it a job. You worked hard for those dollars, it’s time they started working just as hard for you.

Give your money a purpose. Don't just give it back.

02/13/2026

THE COST OF WAITING.

Everyone in the finance world is talking about when the Fed is going to pivot or when rates will finally drop. They’re sitting on the sidelines, waiting for a green light that might not come for another six months.

While everyone is busy "monitoring the situation," they’re losing the most valuable asset they have: Time.

The biggest risk isn't the interest rate. It's the "I'll start next year" mentality. You can always refinance a rate, but you can’t refinance lost time.

If your strategy depends on the government making a move before you do, you aren't in control, they are.

Stop waiting for the "perfect" market. It doesn't exist. Build the plan for the market we have today.

MAKE A MOVE.

02/11/2026

I’ve lived in a lot of places. Omaha, Phoenix, and now Long Beach.

I took this photo because it reminds me that no matter where I move, I’m always going to be the guy who’s proud of my journey.

To the people back home in the Midwest, my friends in AZ, my new neighbors in LBC, and anywhere else you may be, if you can see this, you are my community.

I’m glad to be out here doing this with y’all. Have a good Wednesday.

02/09/2026

STRATEGY IS ONLY USEFUL IF IT LEADS TO A DECISION.

Most people are obsessed with "set it and forget it" routines. We love the idea of a system that runs itself so we can stop thinking.

But in my world, a plan that doesn't breathe is a plan that’s already failing.

Look at the photo below. It’s a circle, not a line.

Strategy isn't a destination; it's a wheel in perpetual motion. The moment you stop monitoring and evaluating, the wheel stops turning.

And a wheel that doesn't turn is just a weight holding you back.

I see people get stuck in the "Analysis" phase every day, staring at the map while the world passes them by.

Analysis paralysis isn't just a roadblock; it’s the silent killer of legacies.

The loop only works if you keep it moving.

If you aren't making moves, you aren't strategizing, you're just stalling.

MAKE A DECISION TODAY. GET THE WHEEL TURNING.