Debt, it is a problem that most people know all too well, but no one wants to talk about it, and why would we? Debt is terrifying, and it can leave people with a sense of powerlessness. Debt is also complex, with it varying heavily between individuals. Some might have $5,000 dollars in credit card debt, while some professional may accumulate a quarter million dollars in student loans. The point is, a lot of people feel the pain that comes from owing large amount of money and many people do not know how to effectively pay it off or avoid getting into it in the first place.

              Kelly Peeler is someone that also saw this problem running rampant across the country, especially for young people and has since tried to help stop it. This was not her first business endeavor though, in facther first had nothing to do with debt. She started her first business at 11 years old by dumpster diving for furniture, which she would then refurbish and sell for up to $3,000. Kelly then went on to go to Harvard University and began working for JPMorgan financial institutions group. It was in this setting that Peeler did what all great entrepreneurs do, she started identifying problems around her. Peeler saw through her work that one of the greatest issues facing people in the U.S. was the enormous amounts of student loans that were building up on people. In fact, she felt so strongly about this issue that she claimed that it could become, “the next financial crises.” However, unlike most people, Kelly did not just identify a problem, she sought about solving it, which is why she created the company NextGenVest.

NextGenVest is a company that now serves tens of thousands of people with a focus on reaching what they call the, “snapchat generation.” They do this by creatively bridging the gap between financial advisors and young adults using text instead of the standard phone call or meeting and they offer their surface at any time. The company offers a wide array of financial services including free assistance to students for filing out financial aid forms or advising on accepting packages at schools that make the most financial sense.

When asked about her success Peeler credits two important teachings that she believes are very important lessons for any entrepreneurs. The first lesson she learned was to delegate her weaknesses. She told Business Insider that when she started her company, she quickly learned that she could not do everything well, so for the business to be successful, she had to delegate tasks to competent people. She also said that the biggest lesson she learned was that success follows passion. The largest reason she says her company has been as successful as it has been thus far is because of how passionate she is about what she does, that is what pushes the company forward. Peeler says that the people working in successful business needs to be, above all else, “”completely obsessed with your user and be empathetic.” This obsession along with caring about the customers needs will allow a business to become one of the best in the world for solving a problem.

Personally, I find a lot of value in Peeler’s story. Her focus and determination are to be admired and emulated. Individuals need to understand that to be great at anything, you must be passionate about it, especially if you want to become one of the best. It is only with this vital emotion that successful people are able to push themselves to limits that others may not of thought possible. Successful individuals do not settle for mediocrity and they do not compete with others, as Peeler has shown, they aspire to be the best and constantly compete with who they were yesterday to become greater.