Why I cried when I saw my mom's teacher salary

You don't need trauma or drama to connect with people..

Author

Stephen Stanberry
July 11th, 2025

friend!

Growing up in 90s Jamaica, I thought my mom was just being cheap.

"I don't have money for that new toy right now."

Again and again. Same response.

So I had to care my old toys.

Look, we weren't poor. We had our house (that she was paying the mortgage BY HERSELF while raising me So), food on the table, everything we needed. But new toys? Nah.

My mom taught Grade 3. But plot twist—she ALSO taught music to grades 1-6. For the SAME pay. Zero extra dollars for double the work.

I had no clue how little teachers made until 2005.

She was battling cancer. I saw her paycheck for the first time.

I literally broke down crying. I was 17 going on 18 and from then I knew that wasn’t enough money.

That tiny number explained EVERYTHING.

Why she said no to toys.

Why she worked music classes for free.

Why she was the ultimate financial ninja, making teacher's salary stretch to cover a mortgage and raise me solo.

Here's what blew my mind:

Fast forward to building my business. I'm stressing about my "boring" backstory. Everyone else has these dramatic rags-to-riches tales.

Then it hit me like a freight train.

My mom's quiet hustle? That WAS my story.

Heres my 2 cents: Your "ordinary" background is actually your secret weapon.

You don't need trauma or drama to connect with people. Sometimes the most powerful stories are about everyday resilience.

Watching my mom turn limitations into lessons taught me resourcefulness beats resources EVERY. DAMN. TIME.

Your turn: What "boring" part of your story are you sleeping on?

That quiet strength might be exactly what your audience needs to hear.

Talk soon, Stephen

P.S. She lost the battle in January 2006. I think she’d be proud of me 😁🤗. Her birthday is on the 20th of July, I promise not to cry but to celebrate her life.

Ready to turn YOUR story into your secret weapon? My Story Clarity Coaching Intensive helps founders shape their real story into content that converts. Usually $427, now $349—8 weeks, 4 calls, unlimited feedback. Limited spots this month. Stop underselling your journey.

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