Written by Kel Rakowski
When I started my idea of launching Lex, a queer social app, it was just me. I had an Instagram account, a cult following, a passion for connecting people, and a drive to kill off the tech overlords. No money. No founder background. No fancy investors. Just an instinct to build. Whatever it is you’re looking to start, there’s one universal truth: If you’re the one leading it, only you can make it happen. You’re going to have to do it yourself.
Often, that’s because you have no other choice. You might have an idea, but scarce resources. It’s just you and the dream. Every conversation is a potential new path—any byte of information you get can be enough to kick open the next door.
This isn’t a fantasy world. This is the work. As an artist, founder, or designer, you’re the soloist with a vision, creating the thing that doesn’t exist yet. Others will rotate in and out, sometimes to help, sometimes to slow you down. But the most important thing is this: People need what you’re creating. You can actually change lives.
It’s not about you—it’s about them. Making something that serves the world, and not just yourself, is the whole point. You carry the torch, the vision, and the responsibility. Main character energy is required. But don’t lose the plot.
Trust yourself. Push back on popular advice that doesn’t fit. The right people will show up: some offering knowledge, others offering advice, connections, or money. The only way to make a vision reality is to keep moving, keep learning, and remember: Though you might be going it alone, it’s not about you. It’s about people, and about building something meaningful. For them. ⌂