The Plutocrats Club

Based loosely on the life and experiences of Mark Wahlberg, The Entourage is the ultimate story of brotherhood, success, and struggle. Outside of the outlandish lifestyle and hilarious situations, there are critical lessons that The Entourage speaks to that it’s important that men everywhere internalize. We’ve developed this series called “Your Entourage” to share some of these gems

Characters

Vincent "Vince" Chase played by Adrian Grenier 

The Main focus of the show, Vince is effectively Mark who has moved from Queens, NY with his buddies to LA to pursue his acting career.

Eric "E" Murphy played by Kevin Connolly

E is Vince’s childhood best friend who goes on to be Vince’s manager

Ari Gold played by Jeremy Piven

Ari is a Hollywood heavyweight that joins on to be Vince’s agent

Johnny "Drama" Chase played by Kevin Dillon

Drama is Vince’s older brother who has had some success as a child actor.

Turtle played by Jerry Ferrara

Turtle is another close friend of Vince who is basically his assistant, taking care of the small and large requests that he has.

Be Humble, But Be Assertive

This may sound like an oxymoron, but in the complex world of male relationships, few things transcend this platinum rule, and in The Entourage, it is perfectly exhibited by Vincent Chase. The man never forgets where he came from, but on more than one occasion, he reminds those around him that he’s not above going back if something violates his principles. For Vince, it was his humility and authenticity that turned the hearts of big-name directors who had preconceived notions of who he was, and it was also why so many of his friends and fans were ready to cut for him at any given moment. Message: Never get too big for your supporters. It may be true that you can’t spend as much time as you once did with them, but there is always a way to let those who are fully invested in you know that you respect and appreciate their support and adoration. One example of this is Vince’s undying support for his brother Drama. Drama is a D-list celebrity at this point and hasn’t had a decent role in years, but Vince still makes it a point to Ari that if he wants to represent him, he will need to find someone to represent Drama as well. Here, Vince was humble enough not to leave his brother behind but assertive enough to leverage his high value to create an opportunity that would be off the table in any other circumstance.

Based loosely on the life and experiences of Mark Wahlberg, The Entourage is the ultimate story of brotherhood, success, and struggle. Outside of the outlandish lifestyle and hilarious situations, there are critical lessons that The Entourage speaks to that it’s important that men everywhere internalize. We’ve developed this series called “Your Entourage” to share some of these gems

Characters

Vincent "Vince" Chase played by Adrian Grenier 

The Main focus of the show, Vince is effectively Mark who has moved from Queens, NY with his buddies to LA to pursue his acting career.

Eric "E" Murphy played by Kevin Connolly

E is Vince’s childhood best friend who goes on to be Vince’s manager

Ari Gold played by Jeremy Piven

Ari is a Hollywood heavyweight that joins on to be Vince’s agent

Johnny "Drama" Chase played by Kevin Dillon

Drama is Vince’s older brother who has had some success as a child actor.

Turtle played by Jerry Ferrara

Turtle is another close friend of Vince who is basically his assistant, taking care of the small and large requests that he has.

Do Business With Who You Trust Business, in general, is hard, so when you find yourself in a new place of business, it’s important that you keep people around you that you trust. This is especially important for Vince’s as there are so many looking to take advantage of your generosity and lack of familiarity with the landscape. In the Entourage, Vince is inundated with scripts and hardly has the time or interest to read all of them. His agent, Ari, constantly pushes new scripts because he gets paid regardless of whether movies are aligned with the actor that Vince sees himself as. Here, E plays a huge role in screening the scripts and bringing the best ones to Vince’s attention. Together, E and Vince make sure to vet Ari to make sure he is on their side, and Ari proves to be an invaluable asset in rocket launching Vince’s career, but it was Vince’s trust in E to act in his best interest that made his best projects a reality. It’s been widely shared not to do business with friends and family, but that is a lazy misinterpretation. Business partners can be and become some of your best friends, but it’s important that you are clear-eyed in your assessment of them. You know the bright ones and shady ones in your circle, and how close they are to you doesn’t change the fact that their reputation precedes them. Think about it. If you left $1000 or your girlfriend alone in a room with them, would you trust them to leave them both untouched? If the answer is no, then avoid doing business with them at all costs. If you don’t know, test and find out before starting a business relationship with them.

You find yourself at the center of a world unraveling. The year is 2025, and what began as a routine Super Bowl halftime show has escalated into a cataclysmic event that no one saw coming.

Just as Kendrick Lamar’s electrifying performance is about to begin, the stadium lights flicker. The brightness of a million LED bulbs vanishes, leaving the arena suspended in a void of darkness. Gasps ripple through the crowd, a tide of unease sweeping through thousands of spectators. The noise of excited chatter fades, replaced by a humming silence that seems to stretch endlessly.

Then, like a crack of thunder in a silent storm, the screens explode with a cascade of crimson light. A fiery hue spills across the massive displays, saturating the air with an ominous glow. The stadium feels alive as if it’s holding its breath, waiting for what comes next. A single message blazes to life, stark and unforgiving:

"The age of impunity is over."

The words pulse like a heartbeat, commanding the attention of everyone present and millions more watching from living rooms, bars, and smartphones across the globe. The crowd murmurs nervously. Some reach for their phones, recording the moment, but their usual chatter has fallen into an anxious hush.

The air feels charged, as if a storm is brewing not outside but within. Slowly, the screens begin to scroll, and the enormity of what’s happening crashes down like a tidal wave.

First, it’s Elon Musk. His bank accounts, social media passwords, phone numbers, and email credentials flash boldly, as if trophies in a grotesque showcase of vulnerability. Gasps echo through the arena, like someone watching a deity fall. Before the shock can settle, Bernard Arnault’s details follow, then Mukesh Ambani’s, Zhang Yiming’s, and Aliko Dangote’s. The titans of industry and wealth are stripped bare for the world to see, their empires laid out like brittle skeletons under an unforgiving sun.

In the stands, fans clutch their phones, hurriedly taking pictures or recording the surreal spectacle. One person shouts, "What’s happening? Is this part of the show?" Another murmurs, "No… this is real. This is real."

The stadium itself seems to inhale, holding its collective breath. Somewhere backstage, Kendrick Lamar waits, his mic clutched in one hand. He stares at the chaos unfolding on a monitor, but no one calls him out. No one dares.

For you, sitting in your home, the broadcast feels like a crack in the world’s facade. Your grandparents came here from a small town with big dreams, and while they haven’t all panned out, you’ve carved out a life. Your days are spent between shifts at your nine-to-five and your family business. But tonight, as you sit on your couch, the exposed data is a symbol of something larger. These people—the billionaires, the untouchables—are supposed to be invincible. And now they’re not. If they can be brought low, what does that mean for the rest of us?

Your phone buzzes with messages from friends. One reads, "This is madness." Another says, "Do you think this changes anything?" You stare at the screen, feeling like the ground beneath you is shifting, though you can’t yet tell whether it’s for better or worse.

As the nights pass, the story twists further. Social media becomes a maelstrom of outrage and chaos, with memes celebrating the hackers—dubbed the "Virtue Hackers"—spreading like wildfire. Then, in a twist laced with irony, Drake’s X account is hacked. A single message appears: "God's Plan." Within minutes, the post gathers millions of likes and retweets, igniting another wave of hysteria. For some, it’s a cryptic endorsement of the hackers’ cause; for others, it’s more fuel for the already absurd theory that Drake orchestrated the entire operation. The timing—just before Kendrick’s set—is enough to keep the conspiracy alive. Hashtags like #GodsPlan2 and #DrakeGate trend globally on TikTok and X, but the speculation is eventually swept away by the tsunami of panic and mounting questions about the hackers’ true motives.

One night, after a particularly long double shift, you find yourself staring at your laptop. The numbers are right there, scrolling past on countless forums and message boards. Musk’s accounts. Arnault’s. It feels surreal. A few clicks, a few keystrokes, and you could transfer a fraction of their wealth—just enough to pay off your Visa bill, maybe send a little money back home to your family in Dublin.

Your hand hovers over the keyboard. Would it even be wrong? You think. After all, these people have so much, and you’re just trying to survive. The cursor blinks on the empty field of a banking app login, waiting for you to fill it in. But then, something stops you. A flicker of doubt. A voice in the back of your mind whispers: What if they’re watching?

You close the laptop with shaking hands, your heart pounding as if you’d already committed the crime. Not tonight, you tell yourself. Not like this.

The crescendo arrives on the twelfth Friday. The hackers, in their signature audacity, release a devastating final blow. This time, it isn’t just billionaires. It’s everyone. The personal bank accounts of every United Nations leader are drained to zero in a single stroke. The news explodes like a bombshell, throwing governments into chaos. Donald Trump, in his newly re-elected term, takes to the podium in the White House briefing room, his face flushed with indignation. “This is the greatest attack on freedom we’ve ever seen. These hackers? They’re not heroes. They’re criminals, scum… probably from China, let’s be honest.”

And then comes the twist. The hackers reveal a second set of data: names, addresses, and social security numbers of everyone who attempted to exploit the exposed billionaire accounts. The opportunists who thought themselves invisible are dragged into the spotlight, their actions laid bare for the world to see.

Your blood turns cold as you watch the screen. What if I had? The thought loops in your mind like a nightmare. A thousand what-ifs swirl around you, tightening like a noose. You freeze when you see a name you recognize: your cousin Brian from Georgia. His name, his address, his details, exposed for the world to see. The cousin who always seemed to land on his feet, who'd joked at Christmas about "sticking it to the rich." Your mind races as you imagine the consequences. Jail time? Public humiliation? How will his kids face their classmates, or his wife handle the stares at church? You feel a cold knot forming in your stomach, knowing that one impulsive decision might destroy not just his life, but ripple through the entire family. What happens to us when one of our own falls? You see the names scroll past—ordinary people like you, people who thought they could take just a little without consequence. Now, their lives are ruined. Their neighbors know. Their employers know. Their families know.

The aftermath is even more surreal. Supreme Court justices, international judges, high-ranking legal professionals, and religious figures find themselves implicated. Millions of dollars appear in their accounts, deposited without their knowledge. The implication is damning: these supposed paragons of morality are now framed as benefactors of the chaos. One justice sobs on live television: “I don’t know where the money came from. Please, you have to believe me!”

But the damage is done. Public trust in institutions crumbles. A Supreme Court justice resigns. Churches and mosques are vandalized as suspicion seeps into every corner of society. The Virtue Hackers have not just exposed individuals; they have undermined the very structures that hold civilization together.

Then, the final revelation emerges like a ghost rising from the ashes. The Virtue Hackers were not seasoned operatives or rogue whistleblowers—they were high school students. Brilliant, disillusioned teenagers from around the world, hailing from Hong Kong, Zurich, Tel Aviv, Los Angeles, and beyond. Their manifesto, released in tandem with their final hack, reveals their inspiration: Luigi Mangione, the radical who denounced unchecked corporate power and warned of the consequences of apathy.

“We are all Oedipus,” their manifesto reads, drawing a haunting parallel to the Greek tragedy. “Blind to our own corruption until it consumes us. The billionaires, the politicians, the opportunists—you are all guilty. And so are we.”

The world reels as the truth sinks in. But even as governments scramble to respond, another chilling detail emerges: the Virtue Hackers had committed group suicide shortly after initiating their final act. Their lifeless bodies are discovered in their respective cities, surrounded by notes that detail their actions and their belief in a world that had left them behind.

Governments respond with draconian measures. Bounties are placed on any associates of the hackers, but the damage is already done. Meanwhile, under pressure from the wealthy and influential, an extraordinary decision is made: the billionaires and world leaders will be reimbursed for their losses. Taxes are raised, public programs are slashed, and austerity measures are implemented worldwide to fund this unprecedented bailout.

You sit in your darkened apartment, the news droning on in the background, talking heads dissecting every aspect of the incident. You think of the hackers—children, really—who threw their lives away for what? Nothing had changed. The billionaires were back to their gilded lives, and the middle class was left shouldering the burden. The act, so bold, so carefully planned, had left the world just as broken as before, only now it felt emptier, stripped of any hope for justice.

In the end, the Virtue Hackers’ grand rebellion feels hollow. The mirror they held up to society reflected its deepest flaws, but when the reflection shattered, all that was left were shards too small to piece together.

Just when you lost all hope in society you receive a notification from your sister in the family chat.

“Poetic Justice Pt. 2 Kendrick Lamar ft. Drake & J. Cole just dropped!! 😭😮‍💨🔥”

When it comes to manhood, some concoct profound statements in hopes that their words alone will inspire those around them to take action and live them out, but we know life doesn’t work that way. The world demands tangible receipts and lip service can only afford cheap seats when the stakes are high.

For those who understand this, few decide that they are going to lead by example on the principles that men far and wide respect and honor, preferring to take the position of the critic or the follower.

Then there is Demetrius Baker. I first met him vising my brother at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Immediately, his stature made itself known to everyone in the room, but his sense of humor and positive outlook on life was what left the biggest impression on me. I left UTSA knowing that my family had a true brother in arms that could and would be there during times of adversity, and little did I know how many times he would show and prove just that. Since then I’ve seen Demetrius grow into a literal superstar, but he let’s his work ethic do all the talking. As a former NCAA Division I football player he knows what it takes to perform at an incredibly high-level, and as a father he intimately knows how closely future generations are watching our every move. Now that he’s amassed an incredible social media following by helping others achieve fitness levels they never dreamed were possible, he’s stopped by to give us some gems on how we can reach the apex of our lives.

It is an honor and a privilege to share the wisdom of this good brother, so make sure you follow him as you can always count on content that will encourage and grow you.

All hail to this month’s style kings. These gentlemen exude sartorial excellence day in and day out, in a time where so many choose to be trendy or lazy. Cheers to the January’s Best Dressed.

LaDarius Campbell

Content creation and brand ambassador/influencer

Jeremiah Egbele

Founder of Elyon Industries

NéAndré Broussard

Founder of Black Menswear

Sedrick Wall Jr.

Entrepreneur

Stephen keshi Jr.

Based loosely on the life and experiences of Mark Wahlberg, The Entourage is the ultimate story of brotherhood, success, and struggle. Outside of the outlandish lifestyle and hilarious situations, there are critical lessons that The Entourage speaks to that it’s important that men everywhere internalize. We’ve developed this series called “Your Entourage” to share some of these gems.

Characters

Vincent "Vince" Chase played by Adrian Grenier 

The Main focus of the show, Vince is effectively Mark who has moved from Queens, NY with his buddies to LA to pursue his acting career.

Eric "E" Murphy played by Kevin Connolly

E is Vince’s childhood best friend who goes on to be Vince’s manager

Ari Gold played by Jeremy Piven

Ari is a Hollywood heavyweight that joins on to be Vince’s agent

Johnny "Drama" Chase played by Kevin Dillon

Drama is Vince’s older brother who has had some success as a child actor.

Turtle played by Jerry Ferrara

Turtle is another close friend of Vince who is basically his assistant, taking care of the small and large requests that he has.

Know Your Role

One of the recurring themes in The Entourage is everyone’s struggle to understand and make peace with their role within the group, and this is probably best done by Vince. 

Vince is literally the star of the show and the main source of income, so he is constantly making judgment calls between friends and paid professionals. He’s a genuinely humble and generous guy, but as he gains more fame he has to come to the sobering reality that he is the main attraction and will need to move accordingly. 

Vince is a fictional character but Drake and Lebron are real-life examples of Vince’s who understand they are in a unique situation to bring their friends and family to another level of stardom and success, but it all depends on their ability to execute on the main thing.

For anyone in Vince’s shoes, it’s important that your decisions and behavior don’t jeopardize the career that brought everyone to the big stage in the first place. It’s equally important that you embrace your role with confidence and don’t feel guilty about your position in the entourage. Your leadership is needed in times of success and failure, as any confusion on your top priority will lead to conflict, missed opportunity, and resentment.

In one particular episode, another childhood friend of Vince pops up out of nowhere and invites himself to join the entourage. He’s fresh out of jail and aggressively stepping on the toes of all of the other entourage members, but it’s not until he steals the personal belongings of a very important studio exec that Vince is forced to make the decision to cut him off. Throughout the episode, there were signals of problematic behavior, but it wasn’t until his livelihood was threatened did Vince act. Unfortunately, we don’t always get the second chance to make things right like Vince, so it’s critical to assess how your role extends into the company you keep and introduce to mixed audiences.

Believe it or not, there are times when even a Plutocrat is on the receiving end of rejection. What do you do when a group or an individual sizes you up and says “not interested”? No man enjoys the feeling of rejection, but here’s how to move past it.

Stay Humble

When faced with rejection the worst thing you can do is pretend that you never wanted what they were offering in the first place. It’s obvious you did. Don’t be petty, this will only solidify their reasoning in not choosing you. Equally bad is making excuses about why you didn't make the cut.

Whether it be a relationship or a possible career choice, everyone has their reasons. You may not agree with them, but you have to respect the fact that they did not see what you see in yourself. This is the time to ask why they had reservations and what could make you more attractive in the future. 

The last portion is sometimes impossible in romantic relationships, but the first question will give you all you need to improve. Take it from someone that’s been there before, it does take willpower and inner strength to shake hands with people who have told you they do not want what you have to offer. However, Plutocrats understand if there is nothing else we have, it's our dignity and respect.

Get Motivated

Okay, they’re gone now…it’s okay to be visibly upset. If you actually care about someone or a position, you shouldn't be all hunky-dory after being overlooked. Natural feelings of disappointment and frustration should be acknowledged and released. A personal favorite of mine is going for a solo swim and proceeding to do my best Muhammad Ali impression underwater. That and a couple of laps usually gets everything out of me. The only thing is we can’t stay at the pool, we have some proving to do. Don’t fall into denial like the event didn’t happen, use that as fuel to take you to the next step.

Get Inspired

It’s important not to dwell on the last step, because it can lead to a losing strategy of determining one’s success by how you “prove” your worth to your rejectors. The worth of a Plutocrat cannot always be seen by the masses, and for some, it will never be seen. However, you do need that fuel of rejection to remind you of necessary upgrading. It’s time to become a student of the things you love.

Go back to the basics of what you find beauty in, and step away from isolation. It’s still not the time to conference with your second-and third-level friends; but confide in your innermost circle for the encouragement you need when you’re running on E. If you are really lost, check out (Inspiration Article) to gain more perspective.

Try Again

This is probably the hardest step in every man’s life. We are planners, we are conquerors, and we are strategists. If something has ill effects, most men logically never go near it again. That may be a reliable rule for things like poison ivy, but that’s not how life works.

It takes rejection for a man to understand that he may not get everything he wants the first time, and he will have to think long and hard about what he wants to make himself vulnerable in that way again. Often times men can bite the bullet for their careers, but turn uncompromisingly frigid in their personal lives. Don’t allow one woman to define the rest of the relationships in your life. 

The most overused and under-appreciated word in the dictionary today is love. It seems as if love is a crazed fad rather than a term used to describe one’s feelings. Other descriptive words about feelings aren’t overused, so what makes the word love so different? Is it the context in which it is being used, or is it the action before that creates a need for its use?

It’s both. The term love has been made into a replacement to create a false illusion that people aren’t selfish. The definition of love is to passionately, righteously, and sacrificially pursue another’s wellbeing. Today, you could do one good deed for someone, and their response might be, Oh my God, I love you. Thank you so much. That’s not love. That’s the lust for whatever deed was just done for them.

Love is most of the time used in the place of lust. Lust is not just about sex. Lust is the yearning for something so bad that you would compromise your morals and values to have it. Lust can be stemmed from anything. Lust is similar to the supply and demand curve. The demand for lust increases as the supply of what is being lusted over decreases. This is why most men fear marriage. When a man and woman first meet and they begin the dating process, lust is the most prevalent factor. Lust is the very thing that drives the beginning of the relationship. Women thirst to feel secure and treasured, while men long to feel wanted, desired, and in charge. This is one of the reasons why men buy nice cars and pick up the tab at the restaurant. It’s the reason why women like to hold hands and be affectionate in public. It’s all lust.

Society’s connotation of lust deals primarily with sex. lust begins way before a relationship gets to that point. To lust for someone in a sexual way is to make a declaration that you are ready to love that person. If you have ever wondered why a man can move to woman to woman, but women can’t have multiple sex partners in such a nonchalant way, then here is your answer.

Women are built to respond to a man’s leadership; when a man pursues a woman, he’s not only pursuing her for him, but he is subconsciously presenting himself as a leader. The tab at the restaurant is a representation of him providing food for the household. He is showing the woman he is pursuing that if she chooses to follow him, then she will never go hungry because he is there to provide. The second he pulls up in that gorgeous automobile, he’s showing her that he will provide a means of transportation if she needs it.

Here is where the problem arises, and confusion is rooted. The word subconscious is exactly what it says, SUB-CONSCIOUS. Sub is a prefix, meaning under or beneath the surface. Conscious refers to your aware and sound mind. Subconscious actions happen under or beneath the aware part of the mind. With that being said, men don’t realize that when they pursue, they are unintentionally selling themselves as a leader for that woman. Women hone in on the message between the lines. They intuitively look for the picture within the picture. Once they find the yellow brick road of subconscious leadership, their natural reaction is to shape their feelings and attitude to follow that man into a blissful relationship. This can contribute to women being led on and men being completely oblivious to it. So how do two people avoid this pre-disposed gender-specific way of thinking?

How difficult is it to find a spouse? Do I really want to get married? Am I dating the right person? Am I searching for the right person? There is a multitude of questions we pose to others, and ourselves, but what are the answers? We recently had the opportunity to decode the blueprint to dating success. Luckily for you all here, The Plutocrats Club shares the master key (Thank us later).

Date according to the story you want to tell your children

This may seem cheesy or corny but there’s a reason for this important component. If you hold yourself to this standard you’ll make smart decisions. Who wants to tell their son or daughter “I was at a bar one night, got extremely drunk, and had sex with a woman in the bathroom….from there I knew we were meant to be”? Dating according to the story you want to be told is like writing your legacy as you’d want future generations to hear it. This isn’t being phony or fake, but more so being aware of what type of signals you’re sending and what type of things you’re accepting.

Know your Worth

I know most of us aren’t fans of slumming it in the dating world (We’re Plutocrats so that’s obvious), but we do sometimes forget our worth. There comes a point where we need to take a step back and realize we are beautiful creations with endless things to offer. You don’t have to settle for what you feel is karma or what you feel is most convenient.  I once had a friend describe marriage as a settlement because both parties never get what they really want. My good sir, I beg to differ. There’s a difference in finding your equal and accepting they aren’t perfect and just settling because you don’t know if you’ll end up getting what you want.

Watch out for Hitchhikers 

Be cognizant of people who want to come along for the ride. Don’t date someone who needs you in order to get to the point in life where they are self-secure. These are the people who are dependent on their relationship. Find someone who compliments you, but doesn’t use you as their kickstarter towards becoming someone in life.

Don’t let loneliness drive you 

We’ve all been there before. This is when people you normally wouldn’t look at the start to become more attractive. You yearn for a relationship to the point you start searching for things you don’t want. You must be comfortable being alone before you can be with someone. Let me say again, YOU MUST BECOME COMFORTABLE BEING ALONE BEFORE YOU CAN BE WITH SOMEONE.

Don’t let sex take over

I call this the Clouded judgment and impending bad decisions effect. When you bring sex into the picture and allow it to cloud your judgment, you end up rushing into things. Sex in reality was made for a husband and wife. When sex is introduced before marriage it can cause a whirlwind of conflict, deceit, and emotional scarring. 

Find someone moving in the same direction

Last but not least is finding someone who is going in the same direction as you. If you are career-driven and looking for someone who is career-driven then find someone who fits that category. If you’re spiritually trying to improve your life then find someone who is also doing the same thing.

Every day you hear people telling you what you need to do, what books you need to read, and what school you need to go to in order to get rich. I'm not here to tell you that  (I'm not even rich... yet). What I am telling you is how to get a job, and how to keep it.

How good you are  and who you get to notice will determine how rich you are going to be. Here is the skinny on creating value, which always leads to making money. Go ahead and bookmark this one, you're going to want to keep this handy.

Find Lazy/Busy People

Time is money. If you want money, then you need to save someone some time.

Ignorance is bliss. Find people who don't know something, and aren't trying to learn it anytime soon. Work for these people.

Pains are gains. Be the sweaty movers of your industries. Sure anyone can do it, but people with money will almost always pay others to do serious grunt work.

Find a Hack

Instead of lifting a million boxes, invent the million-box-lifter... or an app. Why not both?

Delegate. Help makes business life much easier and longer. Get your team in order; assembly is key.

Develop/Teach the Skill

Become an expert in whatever it is that you do. Sooner or later, the fact that most people don't want to do it won't be enough. There's a word that your parents use all the time, called experience, and it's finally on your side. Silence the old dogs trying to learn new tricks, and the young whipper-snappers trying to encroach on your territory with infinite knowledge. Of course, you'll be able to help them get where you are... for a nominal fee.

I know, this is not your average how-to. It may be hard for some to fathom, but men have to deal with desirable women who just don't make the cut. Sometimes it's their personality, other times you're just more interested in someone else. Whatever it is, it's making for an interesting problem. Since plenty want them, they assume that you do as well. Now, you're treading a fine line with their ego, trying your hardest to avoid a spontaneous "BF" (see Mean Girls). If you're one of those guys dealing with this, we feel your pain. Grab a seat and listen up.

Treat Her Like One of the Guys

If at all costs, the goal is not to make the girl hate you. Obviously, you have spent some time for them to become attracted to you, and you may actually enjoy their company. Here are some subtle ways to let her know that you are still looking.

Stop paying for things - To these girls, this will be like cold water on a light sleeper. If she keeps asking you for lunch and making dinner plans reinforce how "friendly" things are by going...Dutch.

Dress down around her - When you are around people you are trying to impress; you take things up a notch, am I right? Well, the reverse is true as well. Even if you're going out, dress a little more comfortably than is expected.

Talk about other people - Ask her opinion about girls you are interested in and suggest guys you think she should get to know. Only a dick would embarrass her by flaunting other women in her face, so it should not be one-sided. Let her know that you are thinking of what she may want as well.

When She Gets Touchy

Nothing is more unnerving to men than unwanted PDA. Not only does it make us uncomfortable, it makes us look like the bad guy when we decline it. Below are some tricks of the trade to get out of some sticky situations

Holding Hands - The best thing is "The Abrupt Phone Call". Stop, pretend to be very concerned with the imaginary caller's situation, motion for her to keep going, and then walk back to her with the phone in hand. The hand closest to her should always have the phone in it. And yes, if you have to switch hands, do it.

Unwanted Grinding - Unlike us, women aren't accustomed to being turned down on the dance floor; stopping while they're attempting to back it up on you will most likely crush her. Take control. Deny her the grind but dance playfully with her face-to-face. This is crucial if the girl you are trying to dance with is in the room. Do just enough to keep her happy, but also not enough for anyone to read into.

When She Doesn't Get the Hint

Most of the time, the above tactics are enough to keep women at bay; however, there are rare cases when they might actually fuel the fire. Women of this caliber are very aware of their assets, and when they really want a guy, they know just what to do to drop our guard. Whatever you do, don't sleep with her. Your moral credibility up to this point will be erased, and a whole other psychological battle begins. Skip all that and just stick to these two rules. Don't get drunk around her, and never stay the night. Sound simple? Well, these are the last lines of defense with these types of girls.

Some say leaders are born and others believe that leaders are made, but in my short thirty-one years on this Earth, I’ve come to realize that there is a bit of truth on both sides. We often point to the intangibles that charismatic leaders exude almost as naturally as they breathe, but the real test comes in moments of adversity where their true character is tested. What happens when eloquent words and pep talks can’t cover for you? Thankfully for us, there are people like Will Everett, who know how to motivate with sharpened oratory skills and respond when situations get dire. I met Will a little over two years ago as I was serving as the Communications Director for the DFW Chapter of the Morehouse College Alumni Association. We were in the midst of re-elections and I was looking for talented men who were committed to keeping our momentum going. Those who are familiar with Morehouse Men, know we are all opinionated leaders in our own right, so leading a group of us can be… challenging, to say the least.

I campaigned to be Vice-President, and once elected I made sure to recruit Will to be a part of the executive board as he quickly developed a reputation as a dependable force in our ninety-member association, comprising of four generations. He immediately took on the role of Parliamentarian and the Vice-Chair of Communications, staying late with me on many occasions to knock out the by-laws, learn the various communication accounts, and go over the run-of-show for our annual events. Not only that he had just started a new role at Goldman Sachs and was on the cusp of starting his own non-profit.

High-capacity, solution-oriented, and focus were Will’s calling cards as he routinely did what was inconvenient but necessary to support our initiatives, and I often bounced ideas off of him on how we could innovate for the future.

Then COVID hit.

Like many organizations, we had to adjust on the fly as we were still tasked with creating awareness for historically black colleges and universities in a time where African-American males, in particular, needed it more than ever. In addition to this, I knew my time in Dallas was coming to a close as my business school applications all had California on them.

One by one I began reaching out to active members asking them if they were interested in taking the next step in leadership, and one by one I received respectful declines. Will had let me know that he was in a busy season, so the president and I went into our transition meeting not knowing who would take the reigns. Sure enough, the presidential seat sat noticeably unclaimed after all others were quickly voted on. The lack of enthusiasm was justified as there couldn’t have been a more unstable time to assume the role.

But then there was Will.

Sensing the need for decisiveness, Will stepped up and put his name in the hat despite having numerous obligations. Given his visibility and work ethic, he was unanimously voted president, and six months later he’s rallied the DFW Chapter to bring in the most dues to date, all while retaining member engagement and cohesiveness. Did I mention he’s assumed even more responsibility on his job and since become a chair on another non-profit board? When it comes to impact, grit, and execution many aren’t able and even then few are willing, so it was my pleasure reconnecting with a true brother who’s done great things but is dead set on doing so much more.

It is my hope that you listen to the gems he shares in our conversation because he is wise beyond his years. Gentlemen, I introduce to you Will Everett.

You see them on TV, you see them at home. They'll be here tomorrow, and they've been here since Rome. What is it with these women of the night that entrances men and sometimes other women? Why is it that more and more men find themselves wanting or testing them out? Well, today, we will break down the 304 code and see what's the real root.

They're Accessible

Let's face it; women are elusive creatures. The more beautiful and attractive they are, the harder it is to catch them. For lazy men or men who aren't normally accustomed to that level of beauty they quickly find themselves in a game they are not equipped with or willing to play. Strippers, prostitutes, and pornstars often have that same level of physical unattainability that men desire so badly but can be obtained by anyone... with money. For some, it's easier to earn money than to get swag. These men figure they can skip spending the money they would on a date, expensive clothes, and the whole courting process and pay upfront for what they really want. These girls recognize this and actually make a very lucrative living off of them. They often say they are just the same as regular "bougie" girls, just more honest about the transaction. This is, in some cases, true but is far from the rule because the real difference is self-worth.

Down-to Earth Personalities

It's weird, but girls that get around are... kinda cool. I don't mean cool as in hip, but cool as in very low maintenance and easy to be around. Obviously, this comes from being around many men and the cats already out the bag, so to speak. Men can say just about anything under or above the sun to a stripper. The same goes for any girl that is already known for sexual favors. The acts that these women perform frequently almost force a humility that is still very foreign to most men, especially in women of that physical caliber. Sometimes this is a welcome change after dealing with some of their female counterparts, who are just as attractive but not nearly as easy to talk to. They are frequent in celebrity circles because they are also some of the few people not bewitched by fame since they will do just the same thing for an unknown person with money. Sadly, frequent viewers of this type begin to think that only these women are that "real." Unbenounced to them, a plethora of gorgeous career women exist with the same personalities but much higher self-esteem.

Their Story

Almost 100% of the extremely sexually active women have some story that gives reason to their behavior (but usually doesn't excuse it). Rather it is lack of finances to survive or sexual abuse from an early age, these stories can warm some of the coldest hearts to at the very least understand where they are coming from. Here, almost any man can fall victim depending on her sincerity (and physical desire for her). Here is where the big decision is made.

There are two schools of thought on this one:

The first says that experienced women make the best housewives because they have already seen the world and select few girls who actually know exactly what they want.

The second school (The Old School) is simply don't turn a "hoe" into a housewife. This school recognizes that everyone has a past, but her past will continue to haunt you two for as long as you live; plus, at the end of the day, she CHOSE to continue making bad decisions.

It takes a pretty big ego to shoulder the weight of being with a girl that would get with anyone, but even more to shoulder the possibility that she may continue her tendencies. At the end of the day, a man has to look himself in the mirror and know his threshold. Personally, a girl who has slept with dramatically more people than I have is more than I can handle. I can deal with a few more or a few less (definitely a lot less is preferred), but I know that we all have our periods of exploration. This is also why rock stars and porn stars get together so often because their body count is oftentimes very similar.

It's a new year, but have you found yourself hanging on to the same relationship baggage from the past? When it's time to clear your mental and emotional capacity, there are usually four types of women at the root of the problem, and here's our guide to getting past them. 

The Unattainable Long-shot

Oh, we've been there. Spending weeks engaged in an Instagram cat-and-mouse game can be quite annoying after a while. The details aren't really important, but it all boils down to an embarrassingly large amount of consideration spent for someone who is literally hundreds of miles away. Being reduced to "random" likes and "peacocking" (gallivanting on social media to show that you are in fact desirable and have other options) aren't man's proudest moments, but direct methods have already been tried and failed. 

Out of sight and out of mind seem to be the name of the game, and you are passively refusing to join her ever-growing fan club. But your tactics don't seem to be working. The only reason why you vaguely held out any hope is due to the genuine chemistry you witnessed when you initially met. But even now, it seems more like a distant memory. You could have come to terms with this if it wasn't for the thirst machine known as social media. For some strange tortuous reason, Facebook loves attaching her name to all notifications. Somehow all new friends, all wall posts, and suggestions have friends with *name that shall not be mentioned*. 

You're interested, but you are getting tired of seeing them every day, but not seeing them every day. Like I said earlier, we've been there. The only thing you can do is to ignore that pretty face constantly flashing on your timeline and go about your business. Nowadays, the lives of acquaintances unfold before our very eyes, but it's actually an illusion of closeness. Don't fall for the mirage, and stay the course until you see the real thing.

The Yamp(s) 

We briefly discussed this subject on the (PYT article) once before, but this seemingly endless well can leave you out to dry if you're negligent. This cycle is unlike the carbon or water ones; it does nothing to help those around them. It's just a dance that steps on the toes of every attempted relationship afterward. The reality of messing around with promiscuous young girls is they just aren't enough of a challenge. A man with options can easily have them do his bidding, and it doesn't take long for things to get... well... boring. Have you ever played Madden with someone who's just fundamentally inept? You've been playing football games since NFL Quarterback Club (a true classic), so your knowledge of the game is on another level. They, on the other hand, are just mashing the buttons. As fun as it is to skunk noobs for the first few games, it gets rather annoying after a while. Of course, you are making them better, but the wins for you soon become very unsatisfying. 

Now imagine if those are the only opponents you've faced for years. When someone who can actually play comes around, you take them lightly, and now you down big... early. The best of the best can pull out the A-game and save themselves in a last-minute nail-biter, but most suffer the embarrassment of losing a game they should have won. We get it; you want your ego stroked, but be careful. Some rookies have beginner's luck and might beat you at your own game.

The Side-Chick(s)

Oh Side-Chick, how we like you so. If we didn't have a main, we could possibly entertain the thought of loving you... but... Nah. Truthfully, that's as good as it gets for the side-chick. Many think the side-chick is just a booty-call, but they are reliable emotional comfort too. They could have been a viable candidate at one time, but you chose another girl for some reason. Regardless of what caused it, if you actually care about them, let them go. We all like to have our cake and eat it, but if you cared about them, as you say, you should let them pursue another relationship like you have. 

We often know that we would never date them, but we hold on to them because of their personality and loyalty to us (among other things). At the same time, it's doing major damage to their reputation and image. No guy wants another guy's sloppy seconds, and wifing someone's else known side chick is one of the most emasculating things a man can do to himself. Meanwhile, she is getting ridiculed as a home-wrecker in girls' circles, and everyone in her camp is probably telling her how stupid she looks. She's setting herself for a world of hurt when you are forced to choose between her and the girl you're actually with. So once again, if you care for her half as much as you say you do, let her off easy so that both can enjoy healthy relationships.

The Ex

Psychologists say that it takes at least 4-6 months to get over someone you were deeply involved with fully. We aren't going to sit and pretend that you can do this overnight, but we can give you some suggestions.

Don't try to be immediate friends. It's impossible, it's painful, and it always does more harm than good. Give each other space, and let things develop naturally.

Be respectful. In all dealings, treat her with respect even if you feel she is going overboard. Suck it up and take the high road. Nasty break-ups can only be nasty if two parties are involved. Hate is just as strong as love, and showing one is just as good as the other in break-ups. Leave all that on the table.

Write down why you broke up. Trust us; things can get a little foggy when you're alone pining for the good ol days. You broke up for a reason; stick to it.

Stop getting intimate. Break-up sex is the absolute worst thing you can do to yourself. Sure one last time feels awesome, but the passion of that last time will be an overwhelming fantasy that will haunt you for months to come. No prospective girl can compete with that. Chances for relapse are highly probable. Avoid at all costs.

Isn't having money grand? Being in a position to help someone out is truly a blessing, especially in these economic times... right? Well sorta. Sometimes being too free with your money can put you in the same position as the people you are lending it to. You don't want to be heartless like some of the banks, so what are the rules for the Plutocrat with a generous spirit? There are some unwritten laws that Men have to follow, and here's a guide to making sure you don't become a Scrouge.

Family

Do: Specify whether it is a gift, loan, or investment. All three of these things are very different and can determine whether you're going to court or going to business together.

A gift is obvious and something you are doing without any repayment.

A loan is money that you are lending BUT expect to be returned. It's usually no interest added with family, but regardless, it's important to write down the amount and terms. This is easy when the request is made via text, but if they ask in person, send a confirmation text anyway. Most times, we are cash apping or wiring the money anyway, so let them know that the money is sent and that it's no problem spotting them until the specified date of repayment.

An investment is money given with the expectation to do further business with that individual. There is plenty of leeway with all of these options, but it's important to know where the lines stop.

Do: Make a schedule of repayment. True, you have money, but that doesn't mean you are rich. Even if you are, you might have somethings coming up that may need liquid assets. One slow or non-payment can quickly turn bad if you do not make sure the other party knows just much "grace" is under their grace period.

Do: Alert other family members if you are unable to help. If you can't tackle the whole sum by yourself, don't put yourself at risk by taking on a burden you aren't ready for. Regardless of your family dynamic, you are not the sole person responsible for their well-being. Family is there for these reasons, and there is a lot more power in numbers

Don't: Assume that they will do the same for you. Just because you put up money for someone doesn't mean that they will return the favor. People are different, and even though you would like to think that they would honor your initial aid, it is foolish to expect that they will do the same. Guilting families into this only puts a strain on relationships, so avoid it at all costs.

Don't: Give money if you are in a financial crisis of your own. This happens when people are too proud and caught up in appearances, to be honest with one another. If you need that money badly, quit the act. You might not be viewed as the rich cousins anymore, but that's better than the cousin who took them on Judge Joe Brown over $200. Don't embarrass yourself, and don't embarrass your family. If you don't have it, you don't have it.

Friends

For friends, all of the rules for family apply, but there are some additional things that's you need to consider. Unlike family, they aren't stuck with you, you have limited personal information about them, and you have less people to hold them accountable.

Do: Use tact and respect for the borrower. Don't joke or hold lending them money over their head as a tool to rank them or show them as inferior. You never know how things can turn around, and you could easily be in their situation. In addition, You also shouldn't involve anyone else in the matter. This is only between the consenting parties and has nothing to do with the mutual friends you share. Even if things go sour, don't ruin relationships by making friends choose sides over something that does not concern them.

Do: Use your best judgment in terms of the credibility of what the funds are going to. Yes, people lie, friends and family alike, but if you have a shady friend, it's probably not a good idea to give them $1,000 for his new-age medicine business. If they are resistant to questions, just let them know that you aren't trying to go jail, that's all. Funding illegal activity will not only bring you down, but it will cost you a lot more money than you ever envisioned gaining from the venture. Just don't do it, you're smarter and better than that.

Don't: Give it to them if you can't deal with it never returning. Things happen, people have great intentions, and sometimes things fall through. As a friend, you, of all people, know the person you lent to. Of course, you want to be re-payed, but if they can't get it to you, just chalk it up as a loss. Of course, you never let them borrow from you again, or at least until it's repaid (and even then very small sums). You're not a chump, but sometimes that's just a hump that real friendships get over. Don't throw it in their face or demean them, but don't forget it either. If they pester you about why you won't give them extra cash, be honest. You have a legitimate reason, and that will be enough.

Do you know what type of person you are? We feel like we know, but how can we be certain? Sure, friends are the best way of getting a good idea, but even then, there is a limit to how real they can get with you. Well, luckily for you, we've got your back. We did our research and supplied you with an official personality test, often administered by several Human Relations Departments in major corporations.

Tests like these help employers see what type of employees they have and which ones they wish to employ. After taking it (honestly), we guarantee that it will reveal the personality that you project toward others. Lucky for you, it's only ten simple questions, so grab something to keep track of your letter answers. Try to answer as quickly as possible, and go with your first thoughts. Ready. Set. Go.

1. When do you feel your best?

(a) in the morning

(b) during the afternoon & early evening

(c) late at night

2. You usually walk

(a) fairly fast, with long steps

(b) fairly fast, with short, quick steps

(c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face

(d) less fast, head down

(e) very slowly

3. When talking to people you

(a) stand with your arms folded

(b) have your hands clasped

(c) have one or both your hands on your hips

(d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking

(e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair

4. When relaxing, you sit with

(a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side

(b) your legs crossed

(c) your legs stretched out or straight

(d) one leg curled under you

5. When something really amuses you, you react with

(a) a big, appreciative laugh

(b) a laugh, but not a loud one

(c) a quiet chuckle

(d) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you..

(a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you

(b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know

(c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed

7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted. Do you..

(a) welcome the break

(b) feel extremely irritated

(c) vary between these two extremes

8. Which of the following colors do you like most?

(a) red or orange

(b) black

(c) yellow or light blue

(d) green

(e) dark blue or purple

(f) white

(g) brown or gray

9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep, you lie

(a) stretched out on your back

(b) stretched out face down on your stomach

(c) on your side, slightly curled

(d) with your head on one arm

(e) with your head under the covers

10. You often dream that you are

(a) falling

(b) fighting or struggling

(c) searching for something or somebody

(d) flying or floating

(e) you usually have dreamless sleep

(f) your dreams are always pleasant

POINTS:

1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6

2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1

3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6

4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1

5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2

6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2

7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4

8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1

9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1

10. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

OVER 60 POINTS:

People view you as someone they should "handle with care" You're seen as vain, self-centered, and extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS:

Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality, a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once, someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS:

Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting, someone who's constantly in the center of attention but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding, someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS:

Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest... Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over it if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS:

Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It'd really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS:

For the busy man, an airport strategy is absolutely necessary. Whether it be for business or vacation, it is essential for a man to know how to navigate and board efficiently. Poor planning at the airport can land you in the poor box before you even take off, so pay close attention to the following steps.

Pack Light

For anything shorter than four days, there is no need for checked baggage. A carry-on and personal item should be more than enough storage for any weekend trip for a man. An extra shirt and pair of shoes will get you through just about any fashion emergency. Anything else can be bought at your destination if need be.

Think Time, Then Convenience

Yes, in that order. When picking out clothes or your route to the airport, think about what will save you the most time and then what will be most comfortable. It should already be understood that you should plan to leave the house at least two hours early. While in line to get your boarding pass checked, start putting all your accessories in your personal item. I've never left anything at the airport and don't plan because my wallet, watch, any change, and my phone are zipped away BEFORE I get in line to be searched. The only thing in my hand is my boarding pass and I.D., both of which I keep in my pocket since I will be using them often.

I recommend taking an "elevated business-casual" approach to your airport uniform. There's nothing wrong with sweat pants, per se, but if you want to be treated a little better than the average Joe by airport staff, dress the part. If I choose to wear a belt by the time I receive my tray, it's off, and my shoes are soon after. This isn't the time to bring your triple-laced boots or tightly strapped gym shoes. Something that you can easily slip on and off is perfection, and soon you will be done in a matter of seconds as opposed to the guy holding up everyone because his whole life is in his pockets.

I typically wear a sweater under my blazer every time I fly because it's also about comfort. You can have the lightest bag and quickest check-in, but if you are freezing in the airport or plane, you are going to be miserable. Nothing is worse than a dark, cold and constantly vibrating airplane when you are underdressed. Sleeping and reading are nearly impossible because you are agitated by too many stimuli that you cannot control.

Find an Outlet

During any downtime you have, you need to be charging your phone or laptop. Even if they are fully charged, you should plug them up while you can so they do not have to rely on reserve power. It's no secret sometimes there are turf wars over outlets because there seriously may not be a change to charge your electronics for hours. If you have someone picking you up, money you need to wire quickly, or flight information you need to look up a dead battery can make any normal situation an expensive one. Phone chargers at airports are outrageously priced, and everyone isn't happy when you dial down the center. Do add to your expenses, be prepared. Bring your charger and use it as much as possible.

Airport Cuisine

When it comes to airports, food inflation runs ramped. A sandwich that couldn't have fed four hungry ants will probably cost around $5.99, and we are assuming that you aren't going to go drink from the water fountain, right? But you have to eat, so this is an area where it is okay to spend some of your best bucks. Don't ever experiment at the airport. Stick with what you know you like and grab. The result of a terrible food choice isn't hunger at first, but anger. Airports don't mind charging five-star prices for novelty food, and if you fall into the hype, you will have no one to blame but yourself.