Part of California Transplants
Vinson recognizes that he’s a part of a pattern of people moving from the expensive cost of living in California to its neighboring states.
“It was just getting so expensive to live there that [after the fires] so many people couldn't afford just to get another apartment in California,” Vinson said. “So they started spreading out into Oregon and here in Nevada. That housing crisis has started to spill over here in Reno, too.”
Vinson says he hasn’t been in touch with many people from his community in Santa Rosa since the 2018 fires. He admits he was lucky that he had time to gather his essentials and evacuate, but understands that there were many in his community that didn’t have that chance. So the memory of witnessing what those people went through because of the fire has remained with him.
“I remember a lot of people had to leave immediately because they could literally see the winds carrying that fire to their houses and livelihoods so quickly,” Vinson said. “I saw so many good people displaced [because of the fire]. It was definitely very tragic because I saw a lot of kids, that had to leave their homes, their schools and the rest of their families because they just couldn't afford to live there anymore.”
Santa Rosa has been repeatedly ravaged by fires in recent years.
Climate Catastrophes?
It wasn’t just the cost of living, however, that lead Vinson to seek a living elsewhere. According to Vinson, Mother Nature just seems to have it out for the state of California, citing all the devastating natural elements his hometown experienced in the past year.
“California, and especially my hometown, has been hit with all four elements of nature,” Vinson said. “They were hit by drought, fires, flooding, and then fires again.”
Despite the frequent battles with Mother Nature, Vinson sees a resiliency in the community that rebuilds itself every time a disaster like last year’s fires occurs, particularly as they prepare for more fires the following year.
“[The community] is growing some new legs now that it's starting to rebuild,” Vinson said.
![Vinson acknowledges that a disparity exists between his previous home in California and his current apartment in Reno. “[Reno’s] treated me very well,” Vinson said. “I've had a lot more opportunity here than I ever did in California. It's funny beca…](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5675d221cbced60a236e28b8/1574797390043-4FQPCVGXIBTG7HD2RMJ0/santarosa2.jpg)
Vinson acknowledges that a disparity exists between his previous home in California and his current apartment in Reno. “[Reno’s] treated me very well,” Vinson said. “I've had a lot more opportunity here than I ever did in California. It's funny because the place I have now for $750 a month would easily go for over $1000 in my hometown. It's crazy.”
Looking to Become an Entrepreneur
In just the past year Vinson has been living in Reno, he’s witnessed himself the influx of businesses coming into the area. As each new business comes in, Vinson sees an opportunity to not only grow his personal career, but develop and reach new personal goals as well.
“I want to become financially independent and own my own business here in Reno,” Vinson said. “There is a lot of opportunity here in Reno and I'm so glad that, and it’s that funny I'm even saying this, but I'm so glad my house burned down so I would be more or less forced to come here.”
Right now, Vinson is doing a lot of reading to expand his own portfolio and help him pursue his dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. He says he is well on his way, too, after partnering with a local company about four months ago.
The objectives of this partnership are focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, and teaching people how to be self-sufficient in managing and growing their business. Personally for Vinson, the specific objectives of his future business doesn’t matter as long as he gets his time back.
“My main goal is just to just get out of the workforce,” Vinson said. “[Get to the point] so I don't have to work a nine to five job for the rest of my life. But as for the business model, I don't really care as long as it gives me back my time because that's the most important commodity that we as human beings have. It's the one thing we can't get back.”
In order to get to that point, Vinson is spending much of his time reading and learning from other entrepreneurs.
“I'm trying to get around more [entrepreneurs] who are succeeding in life and putting myself out there a little bit more because I'm definitely a more withdrawn personality,” Vinson said. “So just getting out there and conquering your fears, that's how the ball gets rolling. It’s definitely been quite a journey [so far].”