What an empowering evening at the 2024 neXus Gala!
The Arch Grants Gala was at the stunning and historic St. Louis Union Station, serving as a true epicenter of entrepreneurial excellence. I was humbled to be among so many talented startups and changemakers shaping the future of innovation in St. Louis and beyond. The Arch Grant recipients are the present and future civic leaders we so desperately need right now!
I was honored to receive the 2024 Entrepreneur Award. Congratulations to the 2024 Cohort of Arch Grants Founders, and huge thanks to the founders and leaders of Arch Grants for recognizing me and my family.
Arch Grants is an incredible organization that is developing the next generation of innovative entrepreneurs. The Entrepreneur Award is a symbol of visionary leadership and a dedication to addressing societal challenges and making a positive impact. COMPASSION is the core value of any exceptional leader, and it was an honor to celebrate alongside others who embody this principle. Growing up on the outskirts of St. Louis, this community holds a special place in my heart. I’m proud to be part of a movement that benefits this region with initiatives that put people first. Entrepreneurs play a crucial role in this transformation as problem-solvers, risk-takers, and bridge-builders. We are driven by the belief that we can create solutions that improve lives.
My good friend Maxine Clark gave an inspiring speech about Delmar DivINe – a centerpiece for advancement that is turning the tide of history and reimagining life for its residents and the entire country. Developments like these help connect people and bridge the gap between essential resources and opportunities. Being in a room full of leaders who believe in the power of investing in communities and who are taking action to do so was very motivational.
The auctioneer at the gala was an energetic force who turned generosity into an art form! Sometimes, it takes a dynamic presence to inspire people to raise their paddles and open their hearts (and wallets!) for a great cause. Well over a million dollars was raised to help build a better, more equitable future for the St. Louis region and nation.
When entrepreneurs collaborate, they thrive. Entrepreneurs are the builders of progress, turning ideas into reality and challenges into opportunities. They inspire us all to see what’s possible and make life an incredible adventure.
40 years ago I started Clayco, but I shared something important that sparked me 42 years ago with the audience. I was in my first company role, selling equipment at the time. I was having great success, but woke up and realized I was miserable and not passionate about my job. So, I was decisive and quit! An important lesson for young entrepreneurs is to be decisive. If you're right more than you're wrong, you'll probably be successful. Choose to follow your dreams because if you're doing something that you don't love or care about, that will become obvious to everyone else.
It's vital to always have passion and deep care for what you're doing. From the very beginning, I always trusted my intuition and practiced empathy. You have to understand deeply what your customers need and want to prove that your product or services can uniquely help them achieve their goals so that they only want to work with you. Recognize that YOU are the leader of the solution. Clients can always see your love of solving their problems.
If you forget everything else, remember these three key practices that really worked for me:
While leaders must have a deep sense of compassion for people, they also have to be ruthless. You have to ruthlessly root out complacency, people in your organization who are not as passionate as you are, and people who get arrogant. This is key to carving your own path to success.
The hard part is growing an organization. It can be difficult to accept, but when your company is innovative, ambitious, and growing, you will leave some people behind. Remember that they will find their way and be fine, and you will be even finer.
I look forward to seeing how extraordinary leaders continue to create their mark on the world. Together, we can uplift communities to become hubs of opportunity and growth. Let’s keep championing the BOLD!
