Timeless Relevance: Reflections from Conchy Bretos
Since 1995, the Mia companies and its affiliates have consulted on senior housing development and managed senior living facilities. For two decades, the companies have managed over 1,000 units including continuum-of-care and assisted living facilities. In the State of Florida they have developed and operated adult day care facilities.
Their facilities have won national awards ranging from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD). Their mixed income assisted living facilities have received recognition by Medicaid state agencies as model facilities.
The auditorium at Stanford University that December day in 2006 was bobbling with excitement, but the crowd of about 200 individuals looked different. Most had white hair and were over the age of 65 years. I was there to receive the first Purpose Prize, one given to “old” social entrepreneurs that had successfully tackled an intractable social problem. All of the five grantees were seeking a life of timeless relevance and leaving our mark in this world so we can connect with future generations. Driven, discipline and very disruptive characterizes us all in this crowd. It was there that I met Judea Pearl, one of the winners of the first prize, age 70, that after the execution of his son in the hands of terrorists created a foundation to establish dialogues on religious tolerance. Also, among the honorees former U.S. surgeon Marilyn Gaston, age 67, that came back from retirement to create Prime Time to help black women improve their health. We became instant celebrities featured in all major media, CBS, CNN, The New York Times, U.S. Business Review, among many others.
Everything that the awardees have done in their life had led them to this moment. Journey full of challenges and obstacles mostly due to America youth culture that dismisses old folks as too slow to learn new skills, master technology– after all they are takers and not givers. Sadly, skepticism is not one of America’s virtues. The most common image that our society has of an innovator is that of a youth creating a great idea in a garage, dormitory or a makeshift office—exceptions all. Reality shows that it takes 20 years for the birth of an idea to be fully implemented. That a 55- year-old and even a 65 year- old have significantly more innovation potential than a 25- year-old. It is then fair to say that less gray hair sharply reduces the innovation potential in an organization. Over 30% of small business in America today are headed by someone 65 years and older and that 10% of individuals 65 years and older are still working and watch out—the boomers are coming. What a waste of valuable resources is the result of prejudice.
Fourteen years later I still remember that day with pride and responsibility. In hindsight the Prize was a turning point in my life, strengthening my resolve to leave a legacy and to touch lives. The great exposure gained through the prize has opened so many doors, reassured clients to invest on us, to grow exponentially to an unimaginable level—implement programs in 24 states and the District of Colombia. Today we are working internationally to solve that global problem of what to do with the aging wave. I share writer Brad Allen’s idea that America is the land of second acts and the baby boomers are writing the scripts. Should the script be written crooked or straight-lined? What good is an idea it you do not make it work. This month I finished publishing my first book as a testimony for my grandchildren on what it takes to make dreams happen. Last year I addressed the U.S. Senate Aging and Small Business Committee and put forward several ideas of how to make it easier for old entrepreneurs to flourish. I often wonder where I would be if I were never selected for the Prize. To end I want to quote Marc Freedman “we are what remains of us.” Today I can happily say that I am.