How often have you heard the phrase “I’m comfortable with being uncomfortable?”
We want to believe we can face change; sometimes, thinking we are stronger than we feel helps under challenging circumstances.
And it does; it actually does.
Rafaella and Luke Thorssen, brother and sister and business partners, are each other’s rock. Together, they have faced adversities and awe-inspiring moments; they are a cocktail for success.
Their family motto is: “We are not dead yet”.
That said, you get the picture.
Sitting at their desk at the Capital Factory in Austin, a coworking space, they talk about the importance of sharing their business journey with other entrepreneurs within the working space.
Founders of Vlogmi, a tool that helps creators understand their audience’s real-time interests, consequently making tailored content that helps hit consistently the explore page.
For Luke (now 25), it is not his first attempt at a successful company; he first engaged in business after graduating from High School in Canada and moving with his family to the Philippines.
There, he met a group of friends with whom he played League of Legends and created a successful record label that still stands today.
Rafaella (22) joined her brother in his next Venture (Vlogmi) while deciding if she wanted to take the path of college or go all in on the project.
It didn’t take long for her to follow her entrepreneurial instinct: “College will always be there; if there is an opportunity, go for it. I’m thrilled that we are going this route. “
What does it mean to go to college today? It holds value, but as Luke highlighted, “there should be more discussions about the alternative pathways. There is the significant benefit of going to school for something if it’s marketing or business, and then spending that time while you’re in school using those resources and really using those connections. It can be valuable, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all shoe. You can almost do anything without needing to go to college if you are actually interested in learning and applying yourself for it.”
Luke and Rafaella come from an entrepreneurial family. Their parents have multiple businesses, and they have managed to gain success through time and struggles. When they decided to invest their lives in Vlogmi, their father said, “If you are going to do this and go full-time and make this happen, you can invest the college funds that we set for you.”
The support they have from their family allows them to believe in their capabilities, as Rafaella said in our interview: “Even though my teachers and my principals were very iffy on the decision that I was making and didn’t agree with it, I was confident enough in myself and my family that we were able to make that jump.”
What she said translates into their actions: they are confident, brave, and aware of the risks associated with investing their college funds and starting a business.
“The realization is that no one’s coming to save us… It’s like, you got to figure this out because if you don’t, then no one will do it for you.”
To this, I asked what concerns them about the future.
They highlighted how social media plays a crucial role in the upbringing of the new generations. New creators today are well known not for their skills but for what they call “the shock factor.” We have influencers going around the world shouting racist comments on the street just to attract comments and likes, and in the meantime, we have talented people who are being overlooked as the content works based on a futile factor.
There is no safety control for kids when it comes to content, and on the side of creators, there is no responsibility to make good content that communicates something different from “brain rot”.
Sadly enough, Luke and Rafaella hit the spot on this one; the content we expose ourselves to daily is futile and empty. Social media is crowded with misinformation, light content, and creators seeking glory no matter the cost. In fact, one of the missions of these two unique humans is to create a platform where the content is based on real-life stories with no filters, just real people.
What is the overall vision? I asked.
Rafaella says, “To give back. I am so excited for the time in my life when I will have the means to help others and stop focusing on our survival.”
Luke jumps in and says: “Regardless of where you come from, you should have equal opportunity.”
I am looking forward to the next chapter in Luke’s and Rafaella’s journey, a non-profit.
Join us on our journey.
You can find Rafaella and Luke’s episode here:
The Power of Networking with Dan Graham Founder of Notley
In this episode of “Uncharted: Your Sidekick for Life,” Dan Leon and Natalie are joined by Dan Graham, founder of Notley, a family office with a focus on philanthropic investments. Graham shares his journey from being a student in Austin to becoming a successful entrepreneur and explains why he dedicates himself to mentoring young minds and emerging businesses and his take on the power of networking.
This blog was written by Anais Schmidt, one of the hosts of the Uncharted Podcast. Anais is also an aspiring musician. When not in her studio, she tours Europe with Monte Mai.
Anais Schmidt
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