The Power of Family Legacy
For many entrepreneurs, the idea of building a business is not just about making money—it’s about leaving a legacy. It’s about creating something that stands the test of time, something that can be passed down to future generations. However, as we work to carry forward the traditions, values, and teachings of our family, there is a balance that must be struck between honoring that legacy and establishing our own identity.
I’ve spent my career in real estate development and federal contracting, building a diverse business empire. However, my journey has always been influenced by the family values I was raised with. These values, from hard work to honesty, laid the foundation for my entrepreneurial spirit. But as I’ve scaled my business and expanded my professional horizons, I’ve come to realize that building on that family legacy doesn’t mean I have to lose my individuality in the process.
In this blog, I’ll share how I’ve been able to build on the foundation of family and tradition while maintaining my own identity and vision as a business owner.
The Foundation of Family Values
Growing up, my parents instilled in me the importance of a strong work ethic and the value of integrity. These values shaped who I am today and influenced my approach to business. In the early days of my career, when I was starting Villa Homes, LLC, I often reflected on the lessons I learned from my family. I remember my father’s commitment to hard work and his no-nonsense approach to business. He taught me that success doesn’t come easily, but with discipline, you can achieve anything.
In my real estate ventures and federal contracting projects, I’ve carried these values with me. Integrity is at the heart of everything I do, and I take great pride in maintaining a reputation for being reliable and transparent. But as I’ve grown my business, I’ve had to figure out how to build on these foundational family values while also forging my own path.
Maintaining Your Own Identity
While family values are incredibly important, it’s essential to remember that every entrepreneur has a unique vision. If you try to follow someone else’s blueprint too closely, you risk losing sight of your own passions and ideas. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to live up to expectations, whether they come from family or society, but staying true to who you are is critical to long-term success.
For me, the challenge was understanding how to honor my family’s entrepreneurial spirit without letting it define every aspect of my journey. I realized that while their guidance was invaluable, I needed to take ownership of my own career path and craft my own vision. I didn’t want to simply replicate the past; I wanted to create something new and exciting.
This meant developing my own strategies for growth, seeking out new opportunities, and building businesses that reflected my personal values and interests. I’ve found that the key is to take what has worked for past generations—like perseverance, ethical business practices, and a commitment to quality—and blend that with a forward-thinking, innovative mindset that’s true to who I am.
Building on a Legacy, Not Recreating It
There is a misconception that in order to honor a family legacy, you need to recreate everything that came before. While it’s certainly important to pay homage to the work of those who came before you, it’s equally important to adapt and evolve with the times. Business doesn’t stay static, and neither should your approach to it.
When I launched Villa Homes, LLC, I didn’t set out to simply follow the real estate development models that my family had used. Instead, I wanted to take what I’d learned and push it further. I sought out modern technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and embraced sustainable building practices long before they became industry standards. I wanted to show that innovation and tradition could coexist.
Similarly, when I expanded into federal contracting with Delco Devgru, I wasn’t just entering a new market—I was looking to make a meaningful impact on the industry. I didn’t want to simply repeat what others had done in the federal space; I aimed to elevate the standards of service and delivery while maintaining the core values that had shaped my approach to business.
Embracing Change Without Losing Tradition
One of the biggest challenges in balancing family legacy with business vision is managing change. It’s easy to feel like you have to hold on tightly to what’s worked in the past, but as any successful entrepreneur knows, change is often the key to growth. That doesn’t mean you have to abandon everything you’ve learned along the way; it just means adapting.
I’ve found that the secret to navigating this balance is to embrace change in a way that complements the family legacy. For instance, in my work with Villa Homes, we’ve integrated more environmentally-friendly building materials and energy-efficient technologies. These innovations align with the core values of providing quality homes for families but reflect my desire to be forward-thinking and environmentally responsible.
Similarly, in my federal contracting business, we’ve adopted cutting-edge technology to streamline operations, improve efficiencies, and deliver high-quality services to government clients. These changes, although different from traditional methods, still reflect the same commitment to excellence that I learned from my family. It’s about blending the old with the new.
Leading by Example
A critical component of building on a legacy is leadership. As a business owner, I know that my actions speak louder than words. If I want to continue my family’s legacy of hard work, dedication, and ethical conduct, I must live those values every day. My employees, partners, and clients look to me as a role model, and that means consistently demonstrating the qualities I want to see in others.
Leadership also means fostering a culture that aligns with both family values and business vision. I’ve made it a priority to hire individuals who not only have the skills and experience needed for our projects but also share the values that are important to me. By cultivating a team that embodies those same principles, I’m able to ensure that the business grows in a way that honors both the family legacy and my vision for the future.
Building a Legacy You Can Be Proud Of
In the end, building a legacy in business is about finding the balance between honoring the past and creating a future that’s uniquely your own. As entrepreneurs, we all come from different backgrounds, but we share a common goal: to build something meaningful and lasting.
For me, that means carrying forward the lessons I’ve learned from my family while also carving out my own identity in the business world. It’s not always easy, but by staying true to my values, embracing innovation, and leading with integrity, I’ve been able to build a business empire that reflects both the past and the future.
Building a legacy isn’t about replicating someone else’s path; it’s about taking what you’ve learned, adding your own unique perspective, and leaving a mark that will inspire future generations.