Great insights from our Founder and CEO Kevin Holmes on his fireside chat with Better Founder Vishal Garg 👇
Reflecting on my chat with Better Mortgage Founder Vishal Garg earlier this week: What struck me most was his raw honesty about his journey. Vishal's story began with a simple frustration - the painful process of getting a mortgage. It's funny how our biggest annoyances can lead to the most impactful ideas. For those unfamiliar, Better.com is a digital-first homeownership company that's revolutionizing the mortgage industry. Once valued at $7.7 billion, Better has streamlined the traditionally complex and time-consuming process of getting a home loan, making it faster, more transparent, and more accessible through innovative technology and a customer-centric approach. Vishal had conviction in his idea early on. He invested $2M to purchase the 'better.com' domain, a bold move that not only showcased his confidence and strategic thinking, but also serves as a powerful reminder to entrepreneurs about the long-term value of strong branding. What really resonated was Vishal's candor about the challenges. Better experienced the whirlwind of 900% growth during the pandemic, followed by the harsh reality of mass layoffs. He didn't shy away from discussing his missteps, especially in handling those layoffs. It's a stark reminder that rapid success doesn't shield us from difficult decisions or mistakes. Through it all, Vishal kept coming back to his core purpose - making home buying accessible. It seems that's what anchored him through the highs and lows. Left me thinking - how do we stay true to our mission when faced with unexpected growth or sudden setbacks? And how can we learn to lead with more empathy, especially during tough times?