What I'd Tell My 21-Year-Old Self

During a podcast interview last week, I was asked a question I've been asked many times before: “What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?”

My answer hasn't changed in decades: it's the quality of the people around you that matters, not the quantity.

For as long as I can remember, my personal tagline has been:

"I’d rather have four quarters than 100 pennies.”

I've said it so many times I sometimes joke I may have contributed to the death of the penny.

But the truth behind that phrase feels more relevant now than ever. 

We live in a world where “more” is the metric: more likes, more impressions, more followers, more engagement. The message we're constantly fed is that volume equals value. And in marketing, yes, expanding your reach matters. Awareness drives opportunity. Visibility fuels growth.

But when it comes to your circle of influence, the opposite is true. 

Your inner circle should not be built for scale.

It should be built for strength.

Choose people who challenge you, call you out with love, push you toward your best self, and walk alongside you through both the climb and the summit. These are the people who expand your thinking, protect your energy, and keep you grounded. That kind of support system doesn't come from collecting more contacts; it comes from intentionally nurturing fewer, deeper relationships.

So yes, market-wide. Build big. Grow boldly.

But when it comes to the humans who truly influence your life and leadership, choose quality every time. Four quarters. Not a hundred pennies.