Jaden Garza – Why Leadership Means Owning Your Story

I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being honest about how you found the ones you do have. For me, that started with something most people try to avoid—owning my story.


I’m Jaden Garza, founder of Nomad Internet, and before I ever led a team, launched a product, or scaled a company, I had to take a hard look at who I was. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve taken wrong turns. And for a long time, I thought I had to hide those parts of my journey to be respected. But I’ve come to realize that the exact opposite is true: the more I own my story, the more effective I become as a leader.


In the early days of building Nomad Internet, I faced challenges most entrepreneurs do—tight budgets, long nights, technical setbacks. But layered on top of that were the personal doubts. Would people trust me if they knew the full story? Would investors, customers, or even my own team follow someone who wasn’t “polished” in the traditional sense? Those questions haunted me.


Then one day, I stopped trying to outrun my past. I wrote about it publicly. I acknowledged my failures, took responsibility, and focused on the lessons. And what happened next surprised me: people leaned in. I got messages from entrepreneurs, small business owners, and even customers who thanked me for the honesty. They didn’t see weakness—they saw strength. That moment became a turning point, not just in how I saw myself, but in how I led others.


Because leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. When you’re real about where you’ve been, you give people permission to bring their full selves to the table. That kind of transparency builds trust, and trust builds strong teams. My team at Nomad Internet doesn’t follow me because I’ve never failed. They follow me because they know I’ve failed and kept going. They see that I’m still learning. And that gives them the space to take risks, speak honestly, and grow with confidence.


Owning your story also means embracing your mission with more clarity. I didn’t start Nomad Internet to impress people—I started it because rural families were being left behind in the digital age. And part of why I care so deeply is because I know what it feels like to be overlooked. My experiences shaped the mission, and the mission now shapes everything we do—from product development to customer service to community impact.


When leaders pretend to have it all figured out, they build walls. When leaders open up, they build bridges. I’ve chosen to build bridges. And I believe it’s one of the most powerful things any founder or CEO can do—especially in today’s world, where authenticity matters more than image.


So if you’re out there trying to lead—whether it’s a business, a project, or a team—start by owning your story. Not just the shiny parts, but the tough parts too. Because the people around you don’t need perfection. They need you. Fully. Authentically. Human.


That’s the kind of leadership I believe in. That’s the kind of leadership I live by. And that’s the kind of leadership I’ll continue to grow into—one honest conversation at a time.





More from Jaden Garza of Nomad Internet


https://www.linkedin.com/in/jadengarza


https://medium.com/@jadengarzausa/jaden-garza-on-starting-nomad-internet-mistakes-he-made-36026dd5e316


https://jadengarza.bravesites.com/entries/general/Jaden-Garza-My-Entrepreneurial-Journey


https://vocal.media/interview/interview-with-nomad-internet-s-jaden-garza


https://jadengarza.bravesites.com/


https://www.f6s.com/member/jaden-garza-nomad-internet


https://medium.com/@jadengarzausa/revolutionizing-internet-access-the-story-of-jaden-garza-and-nomad-internet-d97a73fea940


https://www.theamericanreporter.com/jaden-garza-and-nomad-internet-bring-long-term-leadership-and-adaptability-to-broadband-access-in-underserved-communities/


https://vocal.media/lifehack/jaden-garza-biography-experience-and-nomad-internet


https://jadengarza.mystrikingly.com/blog/i-m-jaden-garza-i-built-an-internet-company-from-scratch