The Long Road of Bringing Ideas to Reality

Big ideas rarely show up fully formed. Most of the time they start as a quiet nudge, a “what if,” or a small conversation that sticks with you long after it should’ve faded. That’s how this whole Sterling vision started for me.

For those of you who don’t live in Sterling, over the last year, we’ve had a lot of momentum here: new families, expanding businesses (like Jacam Catalyst), and yes, KMW, Ltd’s major investment beginning to take shape. It’s exciting, but it also puts a responsibility on us. Growth alone isn’t the goal. Thoughtful, strategic, community-first growth is.

And that’s where the conversation of keeping the momentum rolling began and it spawned the idea of Sterling as a remote work destination.

For me, ideas are the fun part. Bringing them to life is the part that takes work, late-night conversations, and people who are willing to pick up a shovel with you.

These don’t usually occur in a straight line. There are always hurdles. Plenty of communities have great intentions, but they fall into a pattern where one person tries to pull everything off alone. And when that happens, even good ideas crumble. They aren’t sustainable because nothing in life, especially growth, was designed to be carried solo.

For me, the catalysts to getting past those initial hurdles were Kari Wilkie and Mac Farney, who stepped in and said, “Let’s build something real here.” Not in theory. Not in a someday way. But in a roll-up-your-sleeves way.

And when people like that get involved, ideas stop being ideas. They become something that open opportunities for our growing town and others. Read about the strategy I've written here: Sterling Remote Work Destination Vision

One of the hardest parts of being a remote worker is integrating into the community. The Golden Ticket event series is one small part of a much bigger vision, but it’s a start to solve for that. It’s a monthly subscription to curated intentional social experiences. It’s events that create connection, belonging, and community. It’s a way to welcome new residents, support current ones, and give people a built-in opportunity to network, learn, and grow. The first event is being planned for early in the new year, and it already has that feeling you get when you know you’re onto something special.

And yes, if someone wants in on that momentum… it might be wise to grab a ticket before the last 50 are gone (before they've every "officially" become available). Find more information here: Golden Ticket Social Club

Bringing ideas to life can be a long, hard, and winding road, but here’s the truth I keep circling back to: Communities and corporations aren’t built by chance. They’re built by people who stay excited long enough to make something real. People who don’t abandon their idea when it gets hard. People who bring others into the circle and say, “Help me build this.” I try to be one of those people and so should you.

That Leads Me to This Week’s Challenge… If you’ve got an idea, something you want to build, create, or change, don’t let up. Don’t wait for the perfect time. And don’t try to white-knuckle it alone.

Bring in good people. People who sharpen you. People who take your “what if” and help turn it into “here we go.”

Momentum doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when a few committed people keep walking long after the initial excitement wears off.

So keep going. Don’t let your idea stay a spark.

I’m thankful you took the time to read this, for choosing to work, and for being part of what makes this world amazing.