Turning Hardship Into Practical Knowledge – An Interview with Zachary Greene
Updated: Sep 9
Zachary Greene grew up in Philadelphia's foster care system before being incarcerated as an adult, where he lost close family members and watched life continue without him. Determined to rebuild his life, he turned to the prison library and taught himself the fundamentals of the stock market, despite the dense, technical material. That journey inspired him to write "Becoming of a Wolf," a beginner-friendly guide that breaks down investing concepts like common stocks and economic trends using plain language and relatable examples. Today, Zack is the founder of All Handz On LLC, a publishing company focused on financial literacy, with several titles now available on Amazon. His story is one of turning hardship into a mission to help others gain confidence and control over their financial futures.
Zachary Greene, Owner of a Pennsylvania-based publishing company
What inspired you to build All Handz On LLC around practical education?
I decided to build All Handz On LLC around practical education because it focuses on acquiring knowledge through hands-on experience, direct application, and skill development rather than just reading or listening to lectures. I figured if I could learn this way, I wonder how many others could benefit from the same experience.
You taught yourself the stock market while in prison. What helped you turn complicated financial concepts into lessons anyone can understand?
I was able to understand the complex sections and figured I would break them down in normal language. Everyone was not given the opportunity to learn what schools were teaching back in 2003, and even today many people still have not had that opportunity.
Why was it important for Becoming Of A Wolf: Wall St. Edition to be written for readers with no investing experience?
It was important because most publications on the subject are very lengthy. Someone might not have the time or willpower to understand an 800-page textbook-style publication.
What do you think traditional financial education gets wrong when trying to reach first-time investors?
Finding a way to make sure people who were never taught the information are given an opportunity to learn the same beneficial knowledge.
What connects all of your publishing projects under one mission?
All Handz On LLC is selling clarity, structure, direction, and informative publications. Why not give people a variety to shop from?
First step for overwhelmed investors?
Do not quit. Take the time you need to fully understand what everything is about. Eventually, with my publication, you should be able to navigate like a seasoned investor.
How can self-directed learning rebuild confidence?
Self-directed learning means taking responsibility for your own education. Life is full of self-directed learning, so use your hardships as motivation to change instead of staying stuck.
What belief guided your rebuilding journey?
I know I can do better and help create positive change in other people's lives. Structure trumps motivation every time because structure is there even on a bad day.
One lesson you hope readers take away?
No matter what happens in life, there is always an opportunity to turn things around as long as you are still living. Do the deep soul-searching, find your niche, stay dedicated, and the fruits of your labor will eventually show.
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