One of my favorite parables has always been The Tortoise and the Hare — a story we often hear as children but rarely revisit as adults. The truth embedded in it is timeless: small, consistent actions will always outlast bursts of speed fueled by ego and overconfidence.

Pair consistency with wisdom, and you’re operating in a lane very few ever reach.
That’s the kind of builder I aim to be.

A LESSON FROM TOKYO

One of the places that reinforced this mindset for me was Tokyo, Japan — a city I’ve visited several times and still consider one of my favorites in the world. Not because of the neon lights or the technology, but because of the culture — specifically, its relationship with craftsmanship and time.

In Japan, there’s a deep reverence for quality and intentionality. You see it in how sushi is prepared, how gardens are raked, how stationery is designed, how service is offered. Every detail matters. There’s a quiet patience in their pursuit of excellence — and a humility in how that excellence is passed down generationally.

Artistry and accountability go hand in hand. And it’s not just cultural — it’s taught in their schools, lived out in business, and embedded in how they serve community.

DON’T RUSH WHAT DESERVES TIME

That’s a lesson I carry with me today — especially when working on big visions or ventures.
When you’re building something that’s meant to last, you don’t rush it.

• You gather the right people
• You apply thoughtful design
• You consider the unseen consequences
• You prepare for future generations

In a world that celebrates MVPs, speed-to-market, and disruption, I’ve chosen a different rhythm: brick by brick. Thoughtfully. Strategically. In alignment with purpose — not pressure.

Because businesses aren’t just created for exits. They’re created for communities.

THE DANGER OF HASTE

We’re living in a fast-paced era where AI, apps, and automation are solving problems at lightning speed — but sometimes at the expense of deeper understanding.

I believe many are racing to build solutions that will eventually create new problems — simply because they lacked the patience to think long-term, and the diligence to examine the full picture.

Which is why I’ve found peace in building in Africa right now.

While much of the world is sprinting at neck-breaking speed, I’ve chosen to build with strategic slowness — not laziness, but legacy thinking. I’m gathering people who embody that same philosophy. Builders who care more about sustainability than virality.

A WORD OF WISDOM

“Desire without knowledge is not good—how much more will hasty feet miss the way!”
— Proverbs 19:2

This verse captures the heart of my approach.

Desire alone isn’t enough.
Speed alone won’t sustain you.
But with patience, knowledge, and consistent diligence — you don’t just finish the race.
You finish it well.

— Early Boykins III