If You Don’t See It, Build it
When I was first starting out as a young professional, the 2008 market crash devastated my family, and changed my path forever. After seeing what my hard-working, deserving family went through, I learned about the importance of financial literacy, and just how few resources were available around adult financial education. I didn’t see a way for things to improve for my family and our community, so I became determined to create a new path.
Soon, I was a licensed financial representative, working as a teacher by day, and financial literacy educator by night. I founded Legacy Full Circle in 2008 alongside my Husband Gabriel, and since then, we’ve been the most diverse, fastest-growing agency in the nation.
First-gen daughters like me are often filling gaps where we see them. We work as translators and bridge-makers, often making ends meet for our siblings at home or helping our parents complete vital paperwork. It’s a big role, and can feel daunting. But in doing it, we help make other people feel seen and understood through our ownership. There's a heavy responsibility of being the first to do something, like graduating from college or starting a business, but we’re creating something new – things that are often beyond the wildest dreams of the generations who came before us.
When mentoring young professionals about entrepreneurship, I often tell them: “when you’re looking for your life’s purpose, find the gaps. Seek what’s missing. And then make it.” It’s easier said than done, but the core of the message is this: don’t just innovate. Invent. Your unique insight on what your family or community needs could be your superpower.
Most entrepreneurs have big dreams, and want to tweak and improve things they use every day. What if I encouraged you to aim higher? To take an entire business model – or industry, and turn it upside down? Being a visionary is risky. You have to be a mix of a daydreamer, a planner, and a doer. But you’re driven by a strong sense of purpose and a desire to make a positive impact on the world, you’ve already got a lot of ambition to tap into.
When you’re making something new, it can feel scary for there to be no blueprint or roadmap to follow. While there are no guarantees of success, you can still review the journeys of visionary individuals and organizations who made it big.
Disrupters are Everywhere
When I think about companies that are shining examples of creating their own paths, several come to mind:
Airbnb completely changed the hospitality industry, distributing the market share from a one-sided model with businesses (hotels) in control, to a more equitable share with consumers, both those who rent out their homes and those who seek rental properties, by creating more competition in the market.
Netflix changed the home entertainment industry by offering online streaming of movies and TV shows, eliminating the need for businesses like blockbuster. Similarly, Spotify disrupted the music industry by offering music streaming, eliminating the need to purchase a single digital download like Apple Music, or purchase albums in stores.
My Tips for Making Something New
When working to create a meaningful new business model or product (and a lasting legacy for yourself), remember these tips:
Be persistent: No one will believe in you like you do. You may face setbacks and obstacles, but if you believe in your vision, keep pushing.
Be open to feedback: Bring a trusted mentor into your inner circle. But be smart about knowing when to trust the voice of your support network versus your own instincts.
Teamwork is essential: When branching out and hiring co-founders or employees, surround yourself with people who share your values and believe in your vision. Experience isn’t everything – especially when you’re creating something new. Like I always say, “Experience can be taught. Attitude is everything.”
Don’t be afraid to optimize: As your perspective and the marketplace changes, it can feel like a betrayal of your bright ideas to tweak your original vision. Remember that flexibility is key in making a lasting change in your industry. You must adapt or be left behind. Even if you were the one to create the market you currently occupy.
Be smart about managing risk: There’s already risk and liability in being the first person to create something, but with uncharted waters come inevitable trial and error. That’s why savvy business mentors are key - they can help you navigate common pitfalls and balance risk versus reward in your new venture.
Being a visionary isn’t for the faint of heart. It requires persistence, openness to feedback, a strong team, focus, and solid gut instinct. If you’re up for the challenge, you may have the opportunity to create something truly unique and meaningful, and to make a real difference in the world. I hope you have wonderful mentors and supportive family cheering you on, like I have all these years. For more tips and advice from me, you can explore my courses here, or set up a session with me. Good luck!
The featured image used in this blog is by Candice Picard.
