One day, an Ox was passing by and a frog happened to see it. The Ox carried himself well and trotted along as if not a care in the world. The frog was envious of the Ox and decided he too wanted to be big like the ox. The frog decided maybe it was possible to puff himself up like the Ox. Then, he could gain the respect as the Ox did. The frog’s friends tried to tell him it was not a good idea but the frog insisted. The frog began puffing himself up in hopes to gain more stature. He asked, do I look big like the Ox? His friends replied no, so the frog kept puffing himself up. Shrugging off all warnings from his friends, the frog puffed himself up so much, he burst.
While there are many oxen in life that seem grander and bigger than us, we have talents that make others just as envious. By focusing on our own talents, we can become just as grand in our own rights. The oxen in our lives have already established their demeanor. You can spend time trying to be just like them which only hurts us in the long run. You can also focus on what you do know and strengthen your own talents.
Lesson: Trying to be someone you are not is just wasted time. Others see this and get the impression we are fake. It is important that you always be true to yourself and establishes your identity based on your own qualities. When others see how great you are, they too will be jealous of what you have. You will be more successful in life and business when you focus on improving yourself and honing the skills you already have. Even frogs are great to have around for killing those pesky insects.
Image courtesy of Naypong / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Gresham W. Harkless Jr.https://iamgresh.comGresham W. Harkless Jr.
Franchise Broker & Entrepreneur | Founder, Blue Star Franchise
Helping founders and aspiring owners find franchise opportunities that match their purpose, finances, and lifestyle. Host of the I AM CEO Podcast with more than 1,600 interviews.
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About Gresham W. Harkless Jr.
Gresham W. Harkless Jr. is a seasoned entrepreneur and franchise broker based in the Washington, D.C. metro area. As founder of Blue Star Franchise, he helps aspiring and established business owners discover franchise opportunities aligned with their goals, skills, and long-term vision.
With over 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and business development, Gresham brings a consultative, client-first approach to franchise matching. Through his media company, Blue 16 Media, and the I AM CEO Podcast, which has featured more than 1,600 interviews, he has worked with hundreds of CEOs, founders, and small business owners to accelerate growth and build scalable business models.
His mission is simple: to help people “run their race” by finding franchise opportunities that align with their purpose, skills, and lifestyle.
Credentials & Affiliations
Certified Franchise Broker - Franchise Broker Association (FBA)
Founder - Blue Star Franchise
Founder - Blue 16 Media
Host - I AM CEO Podcast (1,600+ episodes)
Featured in 50+ Black Marketers on the Rise & Influencer & Media Innovators (2022)
B.S., Business Administration - Howard University
How Gresham Helps
Franchise discovery & matching consultations
Franchise investment and financial fit analysis
Franchise development guidance & onboarding support
Speaking engagements & media interviews
Business growth advisory through Blue 16 Media
I AM CEO Podcast
With more than 1,600 episodes, the I AM CEO Podcast features conversations with founders, franchise owners, authors, and business leaders.
Gresham shares real, actionable insights to help entrepreneurs grow, scale, and lead.
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Contact & Bookings
Email: gresham@bluestarfranchise.com
For franchise inquiries, speaking engagements, or media interviews, send an email or use the consultation link.
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