Part of the #EarnedLife series
I didn’t grow up with privilege. No safety net. No inheritance. No blueprint.
But I had a spark.
And that spark—fueled by failure, pain, and persistence—carried me farther than I ever expected.
The Starting Line Wasn’t Level
I come from humble beginnings—real humble. The kind where success wasn’t just unlikely; it wasn’t even imagined.
As I entered adulthood, I had no money, minimal education, and no parental safety net. My childhood had its bright moments, but things unraveled fast. My parents divorced. My father faded out of the picture. And shortly after I turned seventeen, my mother died in a car accident.
She was my one constant. Her absence left me untethered.
At a time when most of my peers were thinking about their futures, I was trapped in my past—disoriented, angry, and reckless. I made bad decisions. Some were survivable. Some were nearly not. One night, I totaled my brother’s car while driving under the influence. I’ll never forget the shame.
It would’ve been easy to stay there—lost in regret, defined by what was missing or what I had messed up. But somewhere between the pain and the possibility, I found a spark. The grace of good people, the hand of God, and a stubborn refusal to quit pulled me forward.
Brick by Brick
I started to rebuild. Slowly. Quietly. One step at a time.
I worked hard jobs—the kind that don’t come with corner offices or catered lunches. I showed up early. I stayed late. I read everything I could get my hands on. I treated every role like a masterclass.
I didn’t have an MBA, but I learned to think like I did.
When a door cracked open, I walked through it like I belonged—not because I felt entitled, but because I was willing to earn it.
Looking Back Without Regret
My story didn’t end in failure. But it started there. And honestly? I wouldn’t change that.
Because falling down taught me how to rise.
And rising made me who I am.
Final Thought:
You don’t have to come from success to create it.
You just have to move forward—one choice at a time.
About the Author
David Vega is a seasoned business leader, transformation expert, and community advocate. As CEO of Rockwall Capital Group, which owns The Rockwall Times, he combines his deep operational expertise with a passion for storytelling and uplifting local voices. David’s writing explores perseverance, leadership, and purpose, shaped by his own journey from humble beginnings to executive leadership. He lives in Heath, Texas, with his wife and children.
