I’m Joshua Russell. Born in ’95, half Native American, and the son of a Marine father and a missionary mother.
My father was fully Native American and adopted as a baby. Before he passed, he taught me to be tough and work hard. My mother’s work ethic mattered just as much. She taught me empathy, forgiveness, and the importance of taking care of your family.
I started working at twelve, delivering newspapers. On snowy weekends, getting out of bed was the last thing I wanted to do. The papers still needed delivering.
That lesson followed me into restaurant work: dishwasher, cook, then general manager. Showing up consistently, especially when I didn’t feel like it, has done more for me than almost anything else. People learn whether they can count on you. Opportunities follow.
Today, I manage a restaurant, own a couple of rental units, and invest. The rentals began as a way to diversify beyond stocks, gold, and cash. They also gave me a more direct education in responsibility. When something needs doing, it’s yours to handle. Nobody else has quite the same reason to care.
What matters to me
Loyalty, reliability, and class.
I care about how I dress. A well-cut wool jacket or a good cotton shirt communicates something, just as carelessness does. But appearance is only part of it. I also care about how someone treats a waiter, whether they keep their word, and whether they remain composed when things go wrong.
I try to leave more value than I take. I don’t always get everything right, but that is a useful standard to return to.
I grew up in a religious household. Faith isn’t a consistent daily practice for me, though that upbringing still influences my sense of right and wrong.
What I’m working toward
More control over my time.
A morning walk and a coffee somewhere with good weather. Time to teach my children something and make memories with them. Businesses where my work involves making decisions, helping employees, and finding opportunities.
I expect to keep working. I want more say over the shape of the day.
Why this journal exists
I enjoy markets, clothes, books, travel, and noticing how people live. I read beyond familiar sources and question what I’m told. I’m restless with the idea of accepting an ordinary life simply because it is the expected one.
The Count of Monte Cristo is my favorite book. I’m drawn to stories of endurance, reinvention, and people who are underestimated. Cool Hand Luke is my favorite movie which fits right in with my favorite book choice.
This site is a place to think in public without turning every thought into a product. Some entries will be considered. Others will be observations I want to remember.
Contact: Send me a note