1154: SLOWER, intentional growth in life, money, and business (and embracing all the PROJECTS we all do!) w/ Nicholas Cook

Nicholas Cook has worn many hats—financial advisor, teacher, blogger, real estate investor, and founder of Money 101 Academy—but what ties them all together is his passion for helping others understand and use money intentionally. In this conversation, Nicholas shares why he believes business is just a series of meaningful projects, and how he's created a life around blending education with entrepreneurship.

From the power of masterminds to the importance of cash flow, Nicholas gets real about the nuances of entrepreneurship versus freelancing and why a slower, more intentional approach might be the most sustainable path. Whether you're just starting out or already building your empire, this episode is packed with gems about mindset, monetization, and meaningful work.

💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business

• 💸 Why “cash is king” is more than a cliché—and how cash flow really affects your freedom
• 🎯 How to create a brand that’s bigger than yourself (even if you're a solopreneur)
• 🔁 The difference between freelancing, solopreneurship, and entrepreneurship—and how to know which one you’re actually building
• 🤝 How masterminds and networking groups like BNI can 10x your revenue
• 🧠 Why business is just a series of “projects”—and how to fall in love with creating
• 🧩 How to balance a secure income while growing your business on the side
• 🔍 Why vision clarity beats rigid business plans when building something sustainable

📝 About the Guest
Nicholas Cook likes to find meaningful projects and communities to collaborate with. He is a blogger, teacher, real estate investor, and Founder of Money 101 Academy.

After graduating from college, Nicholas began working as a financial advisor and paraplanner for several years, during which time he helped manage client assets by investing in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs. He mostly worked with a smaller firm where he helped manage over $40 million in clients’ assets.

Around 2012, Nicholas got into working in schools, and the classes he has taught include Personal Finance, English, Literature, Theology, Investing, and Algebra. Nicholas has experience making money online and developing businesses in various ways, including through web design, YouTube, e-commerce, affiliate marketing, and email marketing.

🎯 Nicholas’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
 "Start by creating a vision—not just for your business, but for your life."

📢 Memorable Quotes

“If you want to be successful, find people who are 10 years ahead of you, at your level, and 10 years behind you.” – Nicholas Cook
 “Business is just doing projects—and you don’t need permission to start one.” – Nicholas Cook

💡 Actionable Takeaways
✅ Reframe your entrepreneurial journey as a series of meaningful, creative projects
✅ Join a local networking group like BNI to get real business referrals
✅ Define what financial freedom looks like for you—then reverse-engineer your cash flow to get there
✅ Start building your brand today, even if it’s just you—make it bigger than yourself
✅ Balance your income with part-time work if needed—it’s better than building a business out of desperation

🔗 Links & Resources

• Visit Nicholas’ Blog
• Visit Money 101 Academy’s Website
• Subscribe to Money 101 Academy’s YouTube Channel
• Connect with Nicholas on LinkedIn