Why Should Entrepreneurs Think About Community Impact and Legacy Building?

When Dave and Trina Stone founded First Rate, they weren’t just launching a business; they were on a path to building something far greater. Their vision was not limited to simply pursuing growth; it was rooted in expressing God’s character—through how they treated others: coworkers, customers, and most importantly, the communities they are in. 

Their journey offers an important reminder: there is a need to do business with impact—starting from the founders through every step of the operation they take. This sets the tone for everything that follows: how people are treated, how decisions are made, and how a company shows up in the lives of others. 

Building Culture with Purpose 

As First Rate grew from the United States to different continents, the founders recognized a critical need to have a shared language—one that could help people connect, collaborate, and grow together, not just professionally but also in their character. 

They began with leadership development programs grounded in classic, people-first principles like “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. These were the first bricks in building a culture of trust, compassion, and growth. 

But growth comes with challenges. As the team expanded, they began to drift from that shared language, and the culture became more diluted. That’s when the 25 Pillars of the First Rate Way were created—a compass to realign the company’s heart with its original purpose and guide the culture forward. 

At First Rate, culture isn’t confined to internal meetings or day-to-day interactions among coworkers. It’s lived and expressed outwardly—most notably through the company’s annual user conference and advisory meetings. These aren’t just events; they are opportunities to connect with clients and understand not only their present needs but also where they’re headed in the next 3–5 years. 

This is culture in action: making customer impact a core operational goal. 

But none of this was easy. Dave and Trina have been candid about their own difficulties—seasons of no income, losing major clients, even laying off staff they had built deep connections with. What anchored them was their purpose and the trust they had cultivated with their clients and community. 

Legacy: The Business of Building People 

At its heart, legacy is about character. Dave and Trina knew that if they could build a company that champions people—truly sees them, supports them, uplifts them—then that would be the greatest measure of success. The company’s original purpose remains steady: to reflect God’s character in how it serves customers, coworkers, and communities. 

Too often, companies focus solely on their own growth and what they can gain from the community around them. Through First Rate, Dave and Trina hope to flip the script—asking businesses, What’s your plan for your community? 

It’s not prescriptive. There are no set KPIs or checklists. What matters is the shift in mindset—when founders look within themselves and their surroundings to understand what they can do to uplift those around them. That is the shift First Rate aspires to inspire. 

Contagious Purpose 

From the start, our founders envisioned First Rate as more than a job provider. It’s a platform to help people step into the next phase of their lives—equipped not just with skills, but with purpose and a sense of responsibility to uplift others. 

This kind of intentionality is contagious. More founders should build with this level of purpose. First Rate’s story offers a model for anyone launching a business—not just in how to grow a company, but how to leave a legacy. 

Because in the end, true impact won’t be measured by revenue or reach. It will be seen in the people you champion and the communities you help flourish.  

If you are a founder who shares the same heart, reach out and grow with us. We’d love to connect with others who believe business can be a force for good—grounded in purpose, committed to people, and driven by a vision that lasts.