Reflections on Tony Hsieh: What It Means to Have a Vision for Your Community
I never met Tony Hsieh. And that was intentional.
As an urban planner and economic developer with years of experience in downtown revitalization, I had reached a point of frustration. Tools I’d learned and used to make communities better, healthier, more resilient… had failed. My professional belief system felt hollow. I had nothing to replace it… until the Downtown Project crossed my path.
(📖 Read the full essay here →)
The challenge of revitalizing Downtown Las Vegas—or any city—is not just streetscapes or parks. It’s about creating a space where people feel genuinely welcome, connected, and able to contribute to something bigger than themselves. Perhaps the real “next DTLV” lies in fully building and integrating that kind of community.
The tragedy and the lessons
Tony’s story—and the broader context of mental health struggles in the startup world—forces reflection. Some takeaways:
Vision is never solitary. The Downtown Project may have started with Tony, but hundreds of people shaped it, gave it life, and carried it forward. A vision transforms when it passes through many hands.
Community is more than love or family. Terms like “love” or “family” can mislead. The Downtown Project evolved toward connectedness, creating opportunities for people to meet, collaborate, and support each other—often in ways they couldn’t elsewhere.
Real impact comes from shared effort. Too often, we tell stories through the lens of the “Great Man”: Dan Gilbert in Detroit, Richard M. Daley in Chicago, Frederick Olmstead in Central Park. The truth? Communities are built by hundreds of individuals shaping a shared vision.
Tony’s brilliance wasn’t only in his ideas—it was in his willingness to let the community take his vision and make it its own, even if it went in unexpected directions. That is a gift that echoes far beyond what any one person can imagine.
Why this matters
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, community leader, or simply someone who cares about the spaces you inhabit, the lesson is clear: build structures and cultures that amplify the contributions of many, not just one.
Downtown Las Vegas was the first place in my life where I felt truly welcomed, energized, and connected—not because of the physical infrastructure, but because of the human infrastructure. And that is something we can all learn from.
Take Action: Engage, Learn, Create
If Tony’s story and these reflections resonate, there are many ways to dive deeper and take action:
📚 Read more and gain insights: Grab copies of my books, which explore community, entrepreneurship, and personal growth in depth.
📝 Subscribe to Future Here Now: Get weekly insights and essays that explore vision, resilience, and the future of meaningful communities.
🎤 Workshops and speaking engagements: Connect with me to explore how to build community, foster connection, and translate vision into action in your organization or city.
🌟 Let’s honor Tony’s legacy not by idolizing one man, but by creating environments where shared visions can flourish.
💡 Key Takeaways
Vision grows stronger when shared.
Community is about connectedness, not control.
Real revitalization comes from hundreds of hands shaping a vision together.
Thanks, Tony. Godspeed.
