Be Goals Diligent with Charles Weems | Ep. 58

• Tiffany introduces Charles Weems III, highlighting his company Weems Design Studio with 50+ employees, and his features in Black Enterprise Magazine, MBDA, and TVOne Online.

• Charles explains that hiring success comes from clearly communicating company values and finding candidates who share those core values.

• Charles describes the Georgia Minority Supply Diversity Council as a strategic network connecting minority-owned businesses with larger corporations like Coca-Cola and Home Depot.

• He received the Class II Award for companies grossing $1M-$10M annually and aims to reach the next revenue tier soon.

• After landing his first professional job, Charles bought a house, nice car, expensive suits, and frequently bought drinks for friends. By year's end, despite good income, he had nothing saved.

I was making this amount of money and I don't have anything to go for it.

• A mentor confronted him about his spending habits and connected him with a financial planner who forced him to create a budget.

When I did a budget, it was like looking in a mirror and I was just like, oh my God, I am the stupidest person in the world to be throwing this kind of money away on stupid stuff.

• Tiffany reinforces that budgeting works regardless of income level and helps identify both good and bad financial habits.

• Charles and his wife spend only 39% of income on living expenses. The rest goes toward investing and goals. He emphasizes that salary size doesn't matter—what matters is spending management and delayed gratification.

I know people that make way more than I do and live paycheck to paycheck.

• Charles shares that he shops at Walmart and doesn't care about impressing others with branded clothing. He stresses being comfortable with who you are and prioritizing future security over present appearances.

• Both hosts discuss how having children shifts financial focus toward legacy building. Charles's daughter (18 months) prompted him to prioritize college savings and long-term planning.

• Charles regrets not investing aggressively in his 20s. He explains that time is an investor's best friend and that consistent small contributions compound dramatically over decades.

We usually want microwave success. We get a million dollars tomorrow. But the truth is time is really your friend.

• Charles cites Proverbs as his favorite Bible book, emphasizing wisdom and counsel. He advises running to trusted advisors before making major decisions.

Wisdom is screaming out in the street, but nobody listens.

• Tiffany shares that her career coach helped her navigate corporate America and accelerate her salary growth from $10/hour to $60K in just 3-4 years.

• Charles notes that people often aren't ready to hear advice until they've hit obstacles. He encourages entrepreneurs to get outside their own thinking and accept guidance sooner.

• Charles started Weems Design Studio in 2006—15 years ago. He shares inspiring examples of a 77-year-old college graduate and a Vietnamese immigrant who earned three degrees while raising a child.

There is no cookie cutter to say you have to do all of this stuff in a year. You go at the pace that you can go.

• Charles shares his company website (weemsdesignstudio.com) and LinkedIn profile. Tiffany thanks him for sharing wisdom on entrepreneurship, financial discipline, and mentorship.