Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Anderson.
Hi Lindsey, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Honestly, I’ve been this way all my life. I used to walk around with a notebook, writing down all my dreams and the different ways I wanted to help people. I wanted to open a homeless shelter, have a farm for abandoned animals, and build a state-of-the-art school for teens ages 12 to 18 from underserved communities. I’m still working toward that last one.
About eight years ago, I had the idea to start an entrepreneurship incubator and planned a conference to launch it. But as I was planning, things just weren’t coming together. I had invested my own money into the event and the initiative, and it felt like it was falling flat. After talking with family and friends, they reminded me that my true passion had always been working with young people.
Since I had already made the investment, I pivoted and created the Building Bosses Youth Empowerment Conference. The goal was simple:, fill in some of the gaps for teens as they transition into young adulthood. I brought in friends who were subject-matter experts in health and wellness, résumé building, interview techniques, and making a strong first impression.
What looked like a failed attempt turned into the beginning of something I never expected… Vision Driven.
From there, I began creating youth events and workshops that addressed real issues teens were facing. In 2020, when schools shut down, I created a lunch program for the children of essential workers, and Vision Driven eventually became Vision Driven 757, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Since then, my work has continued to grow. I’ve developed programs and initiatives not only through Vision Driven 757, but also in partnership with other organizations throughout Hampton Roads. I also wrote a children’s book, *Be the Change*, to take that mission even further: helping young people find their “superpower” and use it for the good of their community and the people they love.
When I look back, so much of where I am today came from being willing to pivot when the original plan didn’t work, but never losing sight of why I started in the first place.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Honestly, the beginning was rocky, and there have been plenty of hiccups along the way. I’ve learned that sometimes the challenge isn’t just overcoming obstacles, it’s knowing when to pivot.
I’ve been doing backpack and school supply distributions since 2017. I started by hosting skate parties, renting out local skating rinks and giving away school supplies. During COVID, we shifted to drive-thru distributions and partnered with Tidewater Community College to provide refurbished laptops to families who needed them for virtual learning. Eventually, that grew into an annual back-to-school resource fair focused on making sure the whole family was prepared for the new school year.
Last year, though, I noticed something: everybody was doing resource fairs. Schools, libraries, churches, city agencies, you name it. And one thing about me, I do not like doing what everyone else is doing it. I want our work to fill an actual need.
We had already secured a partnership with a local YMCA, so we pivoted and created a back-to-school event specifically for educators. We started the morning with yoga, served a catered brunch, created a free classroom shop with supplies and decorations, did Zumba, and ended the day with mental health support and encouragement. What could have been a setback became an opportunity to serve our community differently.
There have been plenty of other challenges too. We’ve faced rejection, heard “no” more times than I can count, had ideas that didn’t work, and we were even scammed out of thousands of dollars (we got it back!) But all of that comes with the territory.
I’ve learned that pursuing your purpose doesn’t mean the road will be easy. There will still be bumps, disappointments, and moments when you have to completely change the plan. The important thing is knowing what you’re trying to accomplish and being flexible enough to find another way to get there.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work has always centered around serving people, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities, whether through my work as Founder of Vision Driven 757, consulting with other organization through my nonprofit consulting firm, the Driven Collective or professionally as Chief of Staff for a Virginia State Senator. I’ve had the opportunity to work in nonprofit leadership, youth development, civic engagement, community outreach, and the legislative space, and all of those experiences influence how I approach the work I do.
If I had to say what I specialize in, it would be taking ideas and turning them into action. I’m good at seeing a need, figuring out who needs to be at the table, and turning an idea into something tangible. That could be a youth conference, a community event, a workshop, a new initiative, a partnership between organizations, or helping people better understand how government and civic engagement connect to their everyday lives.
I think I’m most known for my work with young people and for bringing people together. Through Vision Driven, I’ve created programs and initiatives around leadership, entrepreneurship, wellness, education, and preparing teens for adulthood. I also wrote my children’s book, *Be the Change*, around a message I share often: find your superpower and use it to make a difference in your community and in the lives of the people around you.
What I’m most proud of is that I actually do the things I say I want to do. Some ideas have been big, some have been small, some have worked exactly how I imagined, and others have completely changed along the way. But I’ve been able to look around my community, identify something that could be better, and do my part to help. I’m proud of every young person who has walked away from something I created feeling more confident, more prepared, or exposed to a new opportunity. I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built and the people who trust me enough to work alongside me. More than anything, I’m proud that the work continues to grow without losing the heart behind why I started.
What sets me apart is that I don’t believe in doing things just to say we did them. I’m not here for credit or clout, I do the work that needs to be done regardless of who gets the recognition. I’m constantly asking, “What is the actual need?” and “How can we do this differently or better?” I’m not afraid to pivot when something isn’t working, and I care much more about the impact than being attached to my original idea.
I also, for the most part, believe I can do anything. That doesn’t mean I think everything will be easy or that everything I try will work. There’s plenty of things I’ve done scared. I just have faith that if something is meant for me to do or meant for me to have, God will make a way for it to happen. At the core of everything I do is God and my heart. I set out to make a difference, but I also want to set an example that so much more is possible than we sometimes allow ourselves to believe.
Ultimately, I believe in people. I believe that if we can learn how to truly unite, work together, share resources, and show up for one another, we can create stronger communities and safer spaces for our children to grow, flourish, and become everything they’re capable of becoming. That belief is really at the heart of all of my work.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I live by my calendar. Google Calendar is my best friend…I have it right on my home screen. If it’s not on my calendar, it doesn’t exist. It keeps me organized and helps me manage all the different parts of my life and work.
One of my goals before the year is out is to start creating video content for social media again. I have a lot I want to say and a platform that I definitely underutilize, so I want to be more intentional about using it. Social media can be a great resource for sharing ideas, learning from other people, and connecting with communities you may not otherwise have access to.
One of my favorite books is *The Greatest Miracle in the World* by Og Mandino. It’s such a beautiful reminder that each of us was thoughtfully and intentionally made for the life we’re living. It’s one of those books that reminds me to appreciate who I am, what I have, and what I’m capable of.
I also listen to a variety of podcasts and watch a lot of documentaries. I’m intrigued by people’s “why” and how they’ve managed to create the lives they’re living. I don’t necessarily have one podcast that I listen to religiously, I’m more interested in hearing different perspectives, stories, and experiences. I truly believe you can learn something from almost everyone you hear from or come in contact with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lindseyaofva.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindseyaofva
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindseyaofva
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseyaofva/
