The Propeller – Let’s go Flying! – 8-17-2025

While recently moving some things around with my dad, I came across the above mini sign given to my grandfather after the first flight lesson he gave as an instructor.  Some people inherit blue eyes or a knack for sports. Me? I got aviation in my veins, pumped straight from the heart of my family tree. My grandfather, Leonard Mack, the man whose name I proudly carry, was a legend in the skies. He was a flight instructor, FAA examiner, and the executive pilot who shuttled university bigwigs around for Kent State University. In 1965, he became the first flight instructor hired at Kent State, probably because of his uncanny ability to land a plane smoother than a jazz saxophonist’s riff.  He was pivotal for the start of the Kent State Flight program that has grown into one of the premier college programs for flight training in the country. Even before that, back in 1958, his first flight instruction gig cost a whopping $5 an hour. Five bucks! Today, you can’t even buy a fancy coffee for that, let alone learn to defy gravity.
 

My Grandfather and Dad with the Family plane in the 60’s

Then there’s my dad, Michael Mack, who practically grew up with a yoke in one hand. He was buzzing around Akron Fulton and Kent State airports before most kids could ride a bike. By the time he was a teenager, he was flying planes like it was no big deal, probably while the rest of us were struggling to parallel park our Schwinns. Dad became a flight instructor before law school, teaching nervous students how to soar while he studied torts and contracts. The man was basically the Clark Kent of aviation, mild-mannered lawyer by day, sky superhero by… well, also day.

As for me, I didn’t stand a chance of escaping the aviation bug. It’s like my DNA came with a propeller. I’ve been lucky enough to fly all sorts of cool planes, from zippy little Cessnas to beasts that make you feel like you’re wrestling a thunderstorm. And I have had a chance to meet some really cool people through aviation, each person has a story wilder than the last, and every flight feels like a new chapter in my own.

Aviation isn’t just about machines or physics, it’s about freedom, adventure, and the sheer joy of looking down at the world like a curious hawk. Sure, it’s pricier now than Granddad’s $5-an-hour days (inflation, you heartless monster), but every penny spent up there is worth it. Flying is a therapy, a passion, a slightly expensive way of telling gravity to take a hike. So here’s to the skies, the stories, and the Mack family legacy, because when aviation’s in your blood, the only way to go is up.
 

My father and myself with a Ford Trimotor – which I had a chance to fly as a Co-pilot

They say the first $100,000 is the hardest to invest, and I can vouch for that. It’s a grind, a test of grit, but crossing that milestone changed everything for me. It wasn’t just about the money; it was about unlocking the power of compounding and watching my wealth take on a life of its own. Let me share my story, how I reached that first $100,000, the lessons I learned, and how you can follow the same path to exponential growth.

Why $100,000 Is a Game-Changer

1. Compounding Became My Secret Weapon

When I started investing, my gains were modest, mostly from the money I scraped together. But hitting $100,000 was like flipping a switch. Suddenly, compounding started working its magic. With a 10%+ annual returns, my portfolio began generating $10,000+ a year, more than I could save in my early days of pinching pennies. I remember checking my brokerage account one morning and seeing thousands of dollars in gains without adding a dime. That’s when I realized: my money was finally working harder than I was. Each year, those gains piled on top of each other, growing faster and faster, like a snowball racing down a hill.

2. I Built Habits That Lasted

Getting to $100,000 wasn’t just about saving, it was about rewiring how I thought about money. I had to:

• Track every dollar: In my 20s, I was careless, blowing cash on impulse buys. I started to monitor every cent, which gave me clarity and control.

• Prioritize saving: I used to think “I’ll save what’s left,” but there was never anything left. Flipping that mindset, and investing first, changed the game.

• Learn to invest wisely: Early on, I panicked during a market dip and sold at a loss. That mistake taught me to stay calm and trust the long game.

These habits weren’t just for $100,000, they’ve carried me toward $500,000, $1,000,000, and way beyond. They’re the foundation of a wealthy life, and they’re now second nature.

3. Momentum Took Over

Once I hit $100,000, something incredible happened: my money started attracting more money. Compounding meant my gains were building on themselves, and my portfolio grew faster with the same effort. I’ll never forget the moment I realized my investments were earning more annually than my job. It was proof that once you build a solid base, the momentum carries you forward. That $100,000 wasn’t just a number, it was the spark that ignited exponential growth.

We aren’t talking candy bars here!

How I Reached $100,000 – And How You Can Too

Here’s the playbook I followed to hit that milestone, with stories of my journey to show you it’s possible:

• Boost Your Income: Find ways to earn more, whether it’s a side hustle or upskilling. Every extra dollar you invest is a step closer.

• Automate Your Savings: I used to “forget” to save, so I set up automatic transfers to my investment account the day after payday. It felt like a bill I had to pay. One month, I was tempted to skip it for a new phone, but seeing my portfolio grow kept me disciplined. Treat your savings like a non-negotiable expense, and you’ll build wealth without thinking about it.

• Invest Early and Stay In: I started investing small amounts in my early 20s, even when it felt pointless. A $1,000 investment in an index fund grew to $1,500 over a few years, not much, but it taught me the power of time. Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment to invest; time in the market always beats timing the market.

• Resist Lifestyle Creep: When I got my first big raise, I was tempted to spend it all. Instead, I funneled the most extra cash into investments. That choice shaved years off my journey to $100,000. Live below your means, and let your money work for your future, not fleeting luxuries.

Your Exponential Future Awaits

Hitting $100,000 was my turning point, a moment when I saw the power of compounding and knew I was on the path to financial independence. It wasn’t easy; there were some sacrifices, and moments of doubt. But every step was worth it. Now, my portfolio grows faster than I ever could have imagined, and I’m not slowing down. You can do this too. Commit to the process, embrace the grind, and watch your first $100,000 become the spark that lights up your financial future.

 Key Takeaway: My first $100,000 was proof that discipline and compounding can transform your life. Follow these steps, stay focused, and you’ll unlock a world of exponential wealth.

“It’s the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG

I love how this quote speaks to the value of the journey over the destination in everyday life.

The “top” symbolizes fleeting moments of achievement including promotions, accolades, or milestones, where glory is brief and often isolating. In contrast, the “sides” represent the daily grind, relationships, and small, consistent efforts that nurture growth and resilience. For people, this means finding meaning in routine acts; cooking for family, supporting a friend, or persevering through challenges, rather than fixating on singular triumphs.

Life’s richness lies in these ongoing, often unnoticed moments of connection and effort, which build the foundation for a fulfilling existence, much like the fertile slopes of a mountain sustain ecosystems, while the barren peak offers little sustenance.