It took me 20 years to build Mindvalley.
If I were starting today, in 2026, I could build the same company in 12 months, with one-twentieth the people, and with far less friction, stress, and pain.
And here’s the important part:
I’m not just saying this hypothetically.
I’m actually building this way right now.
What’s changed isn’t ambition.
It’s leveraged speed.
We are now in an era where one person with clarity, systems, and social media can outpace entire teams from ten years ago.
Not by working more hours or posting more content.
But by letting identity, systems, and content compound your effort.
Let’s go deeper:
The New Advantage: Leveraged Speed
In 2026, the founders who win aren’t the ones working harder.
They’re the ones who understand Leveraged Speed.
Leveraged Speed comes from two pillars:
- Cloud coding — building technology lightning fast
- Social media — building trust at scale
I’ll talk about cloud coding in a future newsletter.
Today, I want to talk about the second pillar, because this one is wildly misunderstood.
Ten years ago, trust came after the product.
You built it quietly. You launched. Then you marketed.
Today, it’s reversed.
Trust now comes first.
And when trust exists before you launch:
- customers say yes faster
- advertising costs drop
- partnerships appear without chasing
This is why companies are being built faster than ever before.
Why Dubai Gets It
As I’m writing this, I’m in Dubai.
This weekend, from Jan 9-11, Mindvalley is curating a special stage in the 1 Billion Follower Summit in Dubai which is possibly the largest creator summit in the world, with 30,000 people attending.
(In the special Mindvalley Stage, our biggest ever – Social Media Summit is taking place in which we’ll be sharing our amazing curated speakers free LIVE on Zoom.)
And I want to point something out:
The Dubai government understands this shift.
They know that dominating social media isn’t about influencers or vanity metrics.
It’s about strategic advantage.
For businesses. For cities. For entire countries.
Because social media created PROOF.
And in a world of AI fakery – PROOF matters more than ever.
You no longer need years to build trust.
You need clarity + consistency + content distribution.
In 2026, social media isn’t a marketing channel. It’s a growth multiplier.
It can recruit customers, attract partnerships, build credibility before you even “launch.”
And it can do it fast.
Don’t Think of Social Media as Content.
Think of it as Proof.
Here’s the biggest mistake founders make: They think social media is about content.
It’s not.
Social media is proof.
Proof that: you’re real, you’re building something, you believe in what you’re creating
And this matters now more than ever.
We’re entering an era of AI slop: AI-generated videos, AI avatars, people cloning themselves
Please hear me clearly:
Do not clone yourself.
Do not hide behind AI.
Do not outsource your humanity.
Humanity is developing a deep distrust of anything that feels fake.
I see this on my own social media.
Highly produced videos with perfect lighting often underperform.
It was really me, but it could just as well be a polished AI clone.
But raw, selfie-style videos, me holding my phone, speaking honestly, unscripted, take off.
A spontaneous video I shot in a Miami mall about an airport incident hit 2 million views.
No script. No teleprompter. Just the truth.
This is happening everywhere.
More rawness. More realness. More humanity.
Because anything that can be faked no longer carries trust.
How Founders Are Building Faster Than Ever
This is why building in public is no longer optional.
I recently came across two Duke University students who built a fashion app called Styl almost entirely through Instagram.
They shared the journey while building. They documented progress instead of performing.
No massive ad budgets. No years of silence. Social media became the accelerant.
This isn’t rare anymore. It’s becoming the default.
The IKEA Effect: Let People Build It With You
There’s a principle called the IKEA Effect:
People value what they help build. A psychologist noted that people grew attached to the IKEA furniture because they helped create and assemble it.
We experienced this firsthand at Mindvalley.
When we created Silva Manifesting in 2014, I didn’t hide the curriculum until launch.
I put the raw outline into a Google Doc and shared it with our community.
It was messy. Incomplete. Unpolished.
I asked:
What do you like?
What would you change?
What should we add?
When we finally launched, it became the biggest launch in Mindvalley’s history.
Why? Because trust had already been built. The community felt ownership.
I recently shared this idea with a female founder launching an online clothing brand.
She was shy about showing up on social media.
I told her:
“You don’t have to be polished. Wear sunglasses if it helps. Just show the warehouse. Share the frustrations. Be real.”
Reluctantly, she did.
A few weeks later, she told me sales were up 50%.
Same product. Same ads. More trust.
Stop Trying to Be a Content Creator
Here’s the identity shift founders need to make:
You are not a content creator. You are a founder using social media to build trust.
You’re not posting to entertain strangers. You’re publishing to let people see what you’re building.
That’s it.
Three Rules for ‘Leveraged Speed’ on Social Media
If you want to move faster in 2026:
- Pick one platform you actually enjoy
- Share the journey, not the highlights
- Let people give feedback while you build
That’s how trust compounds. So don’t be afraid to share what you’re building in secret in your garage.
Don’t build in secret; build publicly, and it’s okay to be sloppy, to have uncertainty
But most importantly, be real.
And if you’re struggling with social media or just curious to learn the newest trends in growth hacking your way to the top for better visibility, opportunities, and revenue…
You don’t want to miss this opportunity:
Join Us This Weekend (Jan 9–11)
At Social Media Summit 2026, I’ll be teaching a session called:
Founder-Based Content: How to Build Trust at Scale
We’ll cover:
- How founders should show up online (without becoming influencers)
- Why trust lowers advertising costs
- And how to build demand before you launch
The entire summit over this weekend will be streamed live on Zoom, free to our community.
Reserve your spot here to get access
If you’re building anything in 2026, this matters.
Because the companies that win now aren’t louder.
They’re more trusted.
37 Responses
Im building a new method of self knowledge, after many years of being a therapist felt the urge of putting together spiritual practices with regular therapy. Im launching this year the online class, im so excited, but it is also scary to put yourself out there, somethings I feel im speaking into a void. None the less, have already couple of students who have tried my method ant results are so good it gives me confidence. Thank you for this inspirational article!
Hi Vishen, in 2019 and 2020 I suffered a massive loss in business. It’s taken me 5 years to find something that works, is in demand and has future growth potential. Last year I started my new Automation business. Automated Water, electricity, gas meter reading and management along with smart controls for home appliances. This year I am expanding the product offering with new smart locking, access control and enhanced online platform features.
After taking the time to fully understand the technology, the right buttons to push when selling, I have found marketing to be my biggest challenge. I found your article really interesting. Thank you.
“One thing I’m unsure about sharing in 2026 is that I feel insecure about my English and my South African accent.”
I’m building a low-cost money mindset program to help people at all economic levels, struggling with money, change their relationship with money. I planned to have a witty avatar, with green hair, named “Patty Paycheck” present the course content. I want to lighten the sometimes heavy topic of money!😊
After reading your blog, I’m thinking I might need to present the info myself… or maybe I introduce the topics, then introduce Patty Paycheck to still present the daily “Pep Talks”….
Thanks for this food for thought, Vishen!
Hi Vishen, I am very inspired by your story and vision, thanks for being so relatable.
I am building an education/support platform/group/ training for families living and growing with an autistic person. It is my belief that autism will be the evolution of human beings so understanding their social complexity and helping them to live in a non autistic environment but also appreciating the autistic world view to better understand their perspective – because perhaps, just sometimes, their way might be better? As a mother of 4 sons, two of whom are autistic – one with co-morbid ADHD – plus an autistic ex- husband, autistic extended family member’s and now advisor, trainer, counsellor and all round ‘falling person catcher’ I feel very qualified to present this kind of support and also feel that more people need to be shown how to do this. So that’s what I’m doing! I’m writing the book, putting together the video trainings for the app and doing face to face, 1:1 supporting. This year I need to drop something, so I have enough space to complete the books and the app…. reluctantly it will probably be the family work for now. But I’m struggling with saying no! I’ll let you know when my book is out. Happy New Year Vishen.
Hello… Vishen Ji
I’m thank you… your a great leader…. I’m watching your video.. but 2year no time to watch your video… bcoz confused in my life.. no time…. suddenly today I read one invited mail feel to massage you… I wanted to talk lots of things but can’t express myself… I like your voice n video the way your talking….. appreciate you for your work n teammates…best luck for your event..
Life has never been easy for growing up a very poor country on the Planet (Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬).
It is my dream to become one of the successful entrepreneurs in the Pacific. Despite my dream, I am financially struggling with family obligations, Social or community obligations and cost of living.
I do not know when my dreams will be become reality. I have no idea what will happen tomorrow, but I am certain that God will provide the way for me to be I am supposed to be. Until then it’s just a dream.
Hi I have signed up with Mind Valley 4 days ago ….from Sydney Australia
I am looking forward to this Summit only one problem I can not work out the time line and do you have a replay.?due to me
not being great at the working with IT system… hence the reason I would love to join you for the 3 day Summit… I hope you do have a replay … what you have mentioned resonates with me …I am trying to launch my business but my huge obstacle
is putting myself out there on the platforms instagram etc…..I am really stuck now for a year with my idea and have got my flyer have done a lot of work then ….the Fear!!!!!!! of exposing myself …..I am doing Jim quick course at the moment
Can I do a couple of different courses in one day ?
Looking forward to hearing from you
Hi Milla, it’s incredible to have you with us from Sydney. Welcome to Mindvalley.
First, breathe. You are exactly where you need to be.
Regarding the Summit: Yes, there are almost always replays available. You can find them on Mindvalley’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Mindvalley/streams
As for that fear of “putting yourself out there,” we’ve all been there. We often think the fear is about technology or Instagram, but usually, it’s a “brule” telling us we need to be perfect before we can be seen. You don’t. Your message is more important than the medium.
And yes, you can absolutely do multiple quests at once (Jim Kwik is a genius, by the way). Just listen to your own energy levels.
Don’t let the tech stop you. You’ve got this.
It’s actually incredible since joining Mindvalley. It’s changed my life completely. There’s so many things like it’s really hard to describe my mindset and I’ve opened up a tiny little business within school as I took on a little business and it’s really worked well I haven’t since then decided to open up a small business, but do you know I’ve been really nervous about your latest Platform in Dubai is absolutely fabulous. The more I read about it. The more it makes sense. I’m just so scared I really don’t have any business sense. I don’t know even how to do it. I know I have the idea, but I don’t know how to put it in practice. I just feel so scared. I felt inadequate but just reading something that you sent him. My email just makes sense. I I’m really gonna go for it. I just can’t wait for this weekend. There’s a seminar and I just want to learn from it. The more I am with more with Mindvalley. I tell so many people I’m with Mindvalley and they look at me and say wow, you’ve really changed. I wish I was this person 30 years ago. I just feel full of life so thank you Mindvalley. You’ve changed me my life and everything around me for the better and I do love AI. That’s helped my business. Can’t wait for this weekend.
Hi Vishen,
Thanks for sharing your wisdom. I have a passenger transport company and am launching an app to give a new option to the rideshare and taxi industry in Australia. One of the biggest difference is that it puts more money in the pockets of the drivers. I plan to expand to Indonesia after success in Australia. Your article has prompted some new ideas. I’ve been following you and a member of Mindvalley since your early days and it’s been a pleasure to witness your journey and grow from what you share. With much gratitude
I am excited to learn social media as I am
Promoting a GoFundMe to save my husbands (Michael Mileham) life and our home that we mortgaged to. The hilt to pay for his medical and therapies. A college fundraiser told me to get on TikTok snd instagram. So far Facebook and X have been my only media. Time is of the essence!
Right now, I am feeling called to share my stories, insights and life journey really, so that perhaps I might inspire others in their own journey, inspire people to be real and get comfortable with themselves, including those parts that make a person feel insecure. Having said that…I am feeling slightly insecure and uncertain (also excited ☺️) to share my journey…I am trying to find a way that feels most authentic to me, that feels natural. I am looking forward to the upcoming Summit for some inspiration and ideas 🙏💕
I run a weekly reintegration activity for prisoners returning to the community at the end of their incarceration. I thought this program, Open Door, would be shut down after five years, but in 2026 we’re celebrating 25 years and continue to attract volunteers and ex-offenders alike! Our first meeting was on the evening of September 11, 2001, proving that in the midst of tragedy, goodness can also emerge.
During the pandemic lockdown, we celebrated our 20th anniversary by publishing our story: a massive team effort over Zoom that sold out in both hardcover and softcover. Now it’s 25 years and we can actually celebrate in person! So how do we celebrate the enormous difference that Open Door has made in the lives of thousands and the excellent reputation we have in the community?
I’m terrified of putting myself on social media but everything you said makes sense. I’m starting a brand new fitness franchise later this year so I’ll take all of the advice I can get. Looking forward to the summit!