Build Your Castle First!

I’ve always admired Walt Disney—not just for his movies, but for the way he brought vision and creativity into every aspect of his work. He didn’t just see a theme park; he saw a place where imagination could come to life, where people could step into magic. It wasn’t about facts or numbers for Disney; it was about stories and the passion behind them.

Take Disneyland, for example. When Disney began building the park, he was deeply involved in every detail, down to working alongside the construction crews. But there was one thing he insisted on that seemed, well, a little impractical: building Sleeping Beauty’s castle first.

Now, the castle was right in the middle of the park, and anyone who knows about construction will tell you that starting in the center is a bit backward. It’s expensive, it’s logistically tricky. But Walt wouldn’t budge. Why? Because for him, that castle wasn’t just another building; it was the heart of the entire vision. It was the magic that tied everything together. He believed that once people saw the castle, they’d understand the park the way he did. And, of course, he was right.

So how does that relate to you and your business? Maybe you don’t have a literal castle at the center of your vision, but you do have something just as powerful—a vision that can inspire and guide everything you do. But first, you have to define it.

Defining Your Vision

Before you can bring anyone along on your journey, you need to know exactly where you’re headed. And no, this isn’t busy work. It’s a serious commitment to shaping your company’s future. To start, ask yourself a few key questions:

• What will your company look like in 5, 10, or 20 years?
• How many employees will you have? What types of customers will you serve?
• What services or products will define your business?

And here’s a big one: What do you want to be known for? When people mention your company, what’s the first thing you want them to say? As you start answering these questions, a clear picture will begin to form. The more detailed your vision, the easier it will be to share it with others—and to build something around it.

Sharing Your Vision

Once your vision is clear in your own mind, it’s time to bring others into the fold. But remember, people don’t get excited about data points and charts. They need to feel something. They need a story.

Live it. You can’t expect others to be excited about your vision if you aren’t. Your commitment and passion will set the tone for everyone around you. If you show that you truly believe in this future, others will too.

Tell a story. Numbers don’t spark the imagination, but stories do. Share the story of the company you’re building—the customers you’ll help, the changes you’ll make, the way you’ll impact the world. When you tell that story with heart, it’s easier for others to connect with it and pass it along.

Have your elevator pitch ready. There won’t always be time to tell the full story, so think about how you can distill it down to just the most essential parts. Make sure it’s short enough to share in those brief moments—waiting in line for coffee, during a quick chat after a meeting. The clearer and more compelling your pitch, the more people will walk away remembering it.

Share it often. Whether it’s in meetings, podcasts, or casual conversations, keep sharing your vision. Use every interaction as a chance to reinforce your story, gather feedback, and build momentum. The more people hear it, the more real it becomes.

Find other storytellers. As your business grows, you won’t be able to be the only voice sharing your vision. Look for key players—inside your organization and out—who can tell the story as well as you can, maybe even better. Empower them to spread the message, too.

Celebrating the Vision

It’s a special thing when a vision starts to come to life. When I first envisioned my Roundpeg, ago, I saw it as a place built on three core values: creativity, collaboration, and positive energy. I couldn’t have predicted every twist and turn along the way, but we stayed close to that original vision. For me, our “castle” was a little white house with blue shutters. It was home to a team of talented, positive people who worked together to create magic for our clients.

That was my vision. What’s yours?