Hi Playmakers!
Weddings. Birthdays. Promotions. Most people celebrate life’s big, shiny milestones.
But the party I remember most from my childhood?
A mortgage-burning party.
I was in third grade. Our house was modest and small, but to my parents, it was everything. They had poured their whole lives into it. That night, friends and family packed into our backyard. There were folding chairs, paper plates of potluck food, and a rusted fire pit in the middle of the lawn.
When my parents lit those mortgage papers on fire, everyone cheered.
It was an incredible feat.
My mom was 17 when she met my dad. Like many high school couples of the 70s, they moved in together and married shortly after. Many of my mother’s friends told her it would be a mistake to marry my dad, but she went ahead with it, anyway. That’s because, unlike other men she had dated, my dad was blind.
My parents had no money, no support, and worked multiple jobs just to stay afloat. Even with his vision loss, my dad would come up with side gigs and hustles to make extra money for the family.
Despite this, my parents were determined to own a home. They saved up for years and years, before finally buying my childhood home. Back then, mortgage interest rates were sky-high in the double-digits. Their rule was simple: they paid the mortgage twice a month, no matter how tight things got. They sacrificed for years to give us kids stability.
It wasn’t until I was much older that I realized how much blood, sweat, and tears went into the day they burned those papers. The pride and satisfaction of knowing that two high school dropouts had accomplished a milestone most only dream of. Sadly, today, mortgage-burning parties are almost entirely unheard of.
But, that’s the kind of grit I grew up with.
It’s what shaped how I see love, work, and commitment. Marriage is a grind. So is paying off a house. So is building a business or anything that lasts. It’s not flashy, and no one claps for it— but it matters.
In a world obsessed with instant results, it’s easy to forget that the best things take time. Real success is often just the quiet discipline of showing up again and again.
So if you’re in a hard season — keep going. You’re building something, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet. Learn to love the grind.
One day, you might look up and realize you’ve built a life worth celebrating.
Jenny
The Play of the Week: Melanie Perkins, CEO of Canva
Before she became one of the richest self-made women in the world, Melanie Perkins was a teenager in Perth, Australia, making scarves by hand and selling them at local markets. Today, she’s the CEO and co-founder of Canva, the design software platform that’s used by over 170 million people across 190 countries.
Her story isn’t a tech fairytale. It’s a rare kind of entrepreneurial path—quiet, relentless, and built far outside the usual power centers of Silicon Valley.
Melanie Perkins was born in 1987 in Perth, Australia. Her father, an engineer of Sri Lankan and Filipino descent, and her Australian-born mother, a schoolteacher, raised her with an emphasis on learning, resourcefulness, and creativity. The family lived simply, but warmly. Melanie often credits her parents for encouraging her curiosity and drive.
The Execution Plan: Your Play for the Week
Insights are only valuable if they’re acted on. Let’s turn this knowledge into impact with small but powerful action steps.
This week’s challenge: share a story about how far you’ve come.
It’s difficult to see how much you’ve changed when you’re living your life day in and day out. Think about your life five years ago and consider what aspects have changed significantly, either for better or for worse. Did you notice these changes?
Call to Action:
1️⃣ Take a moment to appreciate the areas where your life has improved in tiny increments over the last five years. If there are areas that haven’t improved, come up with a plan to take baby steps towards improvement over the next five years.
2️⃣ Report back and let me know how it went! Drop a comment or share your post below. The best responses may be featured next week.
Playmaker’s Spotlight: Real People, Real Wins
Every week, I spotlight somebody from the community who is making a big play in their career or industry. This week’s play comes from Suzy Welch, NYU Professor & Bestselling Author.
I selected Suzy as this week’s #Playmaker, because she’s one of the most genuine and inspiring people I’ve ever met. Suzy has been a friend of mine for years and I’ve been fortunate to learn from her wisdom and experience, as she helps guide people — both young and old — to live fulfilling professional and personal lives. Her work is so popular that it’s one of NYU’s most sought-after courses and is now a new book, Becoming You. Even though it only only dropped this week, the book is already a number one bestseller, so I wanted to surprise her with this week’s newsletter highlight! Go Suzy.
Want to be featured next?
Make sure to tag @Jenny Stojkovic on your post for a chance to be featured.
The Extra Edge: Industry & Success Trends
🐍 Man who was bit by over 200 snakes allows for the creation of a better anti-venom through his antibodies. Chomp down on this story.
👸 For the first time in history, a country’s top political roles are all held by women. Read about Trinidad and Tobago.
📱 Finland bans smartphones in schools. Here’s hoping the rest of the world follows. Check it out.
💰 Warren Buffett is retiring. Sip on some Coca-Cola and read the story.
On this day in 1997, which actress was the critical element in Europe's most expensive movie release at the time?
How to Get Involved:
The Wednesday Play isn’t just a newsletter — it’s a community. I’ll be announcing much more in coming weeks and months! For now, let’s connect across social.
