I recently revisited Simon Sinek's "Start With Why" TED Talk, and it prompted me to sit down and reconsider my own purpose statement. My motivations have shifted meaningfully through different phases of my life — and I think it's worth being honest about that evolution.
Phase 1: Surviving
My initial drive centered on financial security. Growing up, I watched the strain that money troubles created in my family. Living in affluent neighborhoods fostered constant comparison and competition. My early motivation was simple: don't end up in that place. Build enough stability that money isn't the source of anxiety.
Phase 2: Proving Myself
As I found my footing, my motivation evolved toward self-validation — demonstrating my worth to family, peers, and community. I wanted to prove that I belonged.
The birth of my daughter Bela, who came into the world with a congenital heart defect, fundamentally altered my perspective. Her condition added urgency to everything. It made the game feel eternal — like each moment carried more weight than I had previously given it. That urgency characterized much of the next two decades.
Phase 3: Helping Others
In recent years, I've discovered that the deepest fulfillment comes not from what I build for myself, but from what I help others build. I believe capitalism, at its best, is a tool for helping people develop their full potential. Every business I build or invest in is ultimately an opportunity to help someone else grow.
My Why: I want to partner with great people and help them become more — help them make more money than they ever have, so they can live a more fulfilling life and be a better spouse, parent, community member, and disciple of Jesus Christ.
That's what I'm working toward. That's why I show up.