My Second Mountain ⛰️
Several years ago, as I began stepping back from the company I’d founded 25 years prior, I started to ask:
What’s next?
That question collided with a book I happened upon, The Second Mountain by David Brook, and it stuck with me. From it, I developed a sort of mantra:
“When your mother-in-law finally believes you’re not going to leave her daughter poor and destitute, you can do whatever you want.”
To be clear, Deborah’s mother was always gracious and welcoming, far more than I could’ve ever expected. But the sentiment holds: there’s a certain freedom that comes when people stop worrying about your path. And when you reach that freedom, especially post-65, it’s liberating.
So what did I choose?
Funny enough, I recently unearthed a paper I wrote more than 30 years ago about what I’d want to do in retirement… and wouldn’t you know it, I’m doing it. Plus a little more.
I now focus on two things:
1. Helping small organizations improve lives.
2. Encouraging generosity.
Let me explain.
🧩 Helping Small NGOs
At first, I was overwhelmed by how many founder-led organizations were doing good work in the world — especially in Africa, where many of my connections are. But over time, I’ve found that my experience can help in surprisingly impactful ways: improving fundraising, sharpening strategy, making introductions, and sometimes offering direct support.
Here are a couple of recent examples:
🌍 Agribusiness Growth in East Africa
A friend with a 10-year-old agricultural business had flatlined. Cash flow was too tight to grow. I hired a consulting firm that produced a full strategic and financial analysis (75 pages of deep insight). With that, the founder raised all the capital needed, expanded operations, and began creating jobs and funding a nearby school.
🚛 Shipping Smarter
Another group in East Africa had been gifted a large shipment of sports equipment. They needed help getting it from the U.S. to their location. After some research, we discovered the shipping costs exceeded the value of the goods. Now we’re looking at local sourcing instead -- more cost-effective and often more sustainable. (And for the record, I’m convinced every kid in Africa already owns at least two Arsenal jerseys!)
💸 Encouraging Generosity
If you’ve read the last few journal entries, you’ve seen this theme: Giving isn’t just about impact—it’s about joy.
Two years ago in mid-November, Deborah and I asked our financial advisor to move a significant amount into our Donor Advised Fund (DAF), so we could support a handful of groups.
While scanning our portfolio, our advisor spotted a stock that had quadrupled in value over 13 months. That became the source of our donation.
"As we are blessed, we bless others"
Some biblical encouragement that fuels this mindset:
“God loves a cheerful giver.”
– 2 Corinthians 9:7
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
– Acts 20:35
Deborah and I keep a list of stories like this—reminders that generosity is both meaningful and fun. It protects us from the trap of never having “enough” and invites contentment into our lives.
The gift matters more than the amount.
⛰️ Your Second Mountain?
As year-end giving season approaches—and financial advisors start bringing up tax strategies—I hope you’ll take a step back and ask yourself:
What does your second mountain look like?
If you’re already climbing it, keep going!
Want to stay connected?
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Reach out with your thoughts—I’d love to hear them
💙
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We focus on small, founder-led groups in Africa. Once there are 3 or more groups to visit in a given country, we prioritize getting there.
