I used to be scared to take the leap of faith. I feared losing or failing, and in turn I’d fail my wife and kids. But your success is what you make of it.
“I wanted to build my own dream,” Levie Lee, founder of 913BOOM LLC, shares with a quiet determination that speaks volumes. “I didn’t want to get permission from anyone or to have to convince anyone to allow me to build a ladder and climb closer to their dream; I wanted to build my own ladder and to climb it myself without permission so that I can get closer to realizing my dream.” This single, powerful vision became the North Star for a man who refused to be defined by his circumstances. It’s a vision forged in the fires of hardship and shaped by the deep-seated Hmong values of resilience and self-reliance. Levie Lee’s journey from a life of struggle to becoming a successful business owner is not just a story about entrepreneurship; it’s a masterclass in turning adversity into an asset and building a future on your own terms.
The Weight of Dreams in a World of Doubters
To understand the ladder Levie built, you must first understand the ground he started on. His story begins with roots deeply planted in the Hmong experience. “I come from a poor family,” he explains. “My parents are refugees from the Vietnam war. I grew up with relying on the salvation army or welfare for my clothes and food.” This was the backdrop of his early life, a reality where survival was the primary goal. Life’s responsibilities came early and hit hard. He was married by sixteen and a father to two children by eighteen. The pressure was immense.
He moved from one job to the next, always chasing the money he needed to keep his family afloat. Formal education became a casualty of this relentless pursuit. He didn’t graduate from high school on time, earning his GED only in his mid twenties. College was another dream deferred. “I went to college but I didn’t graduate,” he recalls. “I dropped out with only a few more classes to complete in order to get my associates; life hit me hard. I had to choose between working two jobs to survive or lose my home, my car, and whatever else was waiting for me to lose. It seemed as though a force was just pushing me towards destruction.”
Adding to this external pressure was the internal struggle against doubt, a force that often came from unexpected places. This is a reality he wants to prepare young Hmong entrepreneurs for. “One of my top 5 pieces of advice…is not to listen to outside noise,” Levie warns. “There are going to be doubters and there are going to be haters. The saddest part about starting your journey is that some of those haters and doubters will be your own family and friends.” It’s a painful but critical lesson. “They don’t see your vision and they don’t share your dreams,” he says. “You don’t have to tell anyone what you’re going to do or what you want to do, show them.”
The Day Tired Got Tired
Every story of profound change has a breaking point, a moment when the old way of living is no longer tolerable. For Levie, it wasn’t a single event but a slow-burning realization that culminated in a powerful decision. “One day, I was just tired of being tired,” he says, the memory still vivid. The exhaustion wasn’t just physical; it was a soul deep weariness from pouring his life force into someone else’s ambitions. “I realized that by going to work everyday for someone else, I was helping someone else realize their dream, not mine.”
The turning point was crystallized in a feeling of profound indignity that many can relate to. “How ridiculous it was to have to ask for permission, as an adult, by another adult just to take a vacation with my wife and kids.” This simple, frustrating reality sparked a revolution within him. The vision for his own ladder began to take shape. He didn’t know what it would look like or what materials he would use to build it, but he knew he had to start. The motivation was clear: freedom, self determination, and the chance to build a legacy for his family, not for a boss. It was a vision born not of a business plan, but of a powerful, undeniable “why.”
Forging a Path with Imperfect Action
The opportunity to start building came from an unexpected place. “A mentor of mine offered to teach people SEO,” Levie remembers. It was a crossroads moment. He could continue on the familiar path of just getting by, or he could take a leap into the unknown. “I remember thinking: if I let this opportunity pass and watch someone else succeed with the knowledge I could have had, I would regret it forever.” He took the leap. He dove into learning everything he could about Search Engine Optimization, absorbing the knowledge that would become the foundation for his business, 913BOOM LLC.
Starting a business with a history of bad credit and no formal degree presented its own monumental challenges. But Levie had learned a crucial lesson from his past. “If I could go back in time to give my younger self advice, it would be to take action right now,” he states firmly. “Even if they’re not perfect actions, imperfect actions are still action. Don’t wait until you have the perfect solution.” This philosophy became his guiding principle. He didn’t wait for a perfect plan or a large loan. He started with what he had: knowledge and a willingness to learn from mistakes. “Create a process, then test it,” he advises. “Use other peoples money to help you perfect your process. You’ll make mistakes, but you’ll learn from those mistakes.”
Today, 913BOOM LLC helps small to mid sized local businesses show up where their customers are looking for them. His clients are the backbone of local economies: landscapers, contractors, and service providers. He saw so many of these hardworking owners struggling with the same problem, asking, “why is my business not showing up on Google Maps Kansas City?” He knew he had the solution. “I help them by improving how they appear online, especially in local search results and on Google Maps,” he says. What makes him unique is his commitment to real results over empty promises. “I don’t focus on vanity metrics or quick fixes. Instead, I build solid SEO foundations.” He is a perpetual student, constantly learning and pivoting his strategies to stay ahead of the curve, refusing to use cookie cutter tactics that fail to deliver.
Redefining Success, One Bronze Piece at a Time
For many entrepreneurs, the goal is a singular, massive achievement. For a long time, that’s what Levie thought, too. “Success used to be that I ‘made it!’” he admits. “I have a thriving and successful business and I no longer have any financial worries.” But the journey has taught him a more profound, more fulfilling definition of what it means to succeed.
Now, he says, “Success is being able to provide for my wife and kids with the essentials. They have food in their bellies and a roof over their heads.” This shift in perspective is perhaps his greatest triumph. He learned to find joy and motivation in the process, not just the destination. “I used to overlook the small wins,” he reflects. “I used to think the small wins was a natural part of the process of getting closer to success, but it wasn’t success, yet, so I ignored them.” This is a trap many ambitious people fall into. His advice is a gentle but firm reminder to cherish the journey. “Don’t overlook the small victories, whether it’s gaining a new client or customer, being able to buy your wife and kids things, being able to go out and eat, heck, even being able to pay the bills is a small win…Don’t skip or ignore the bronze pieces on your way to digging for gold. Enjoy the journey.”
This philosophy directly impacts his clients. His success is tied to theirs. “One milestone I’m proud of is watching clients go from virtually invisible online to being the go to business in their area,” he shares with pride. “Seeing those businesses grow and knowing I had a hand in that is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.”
The Unseen Strength of a Hmong Heart
Levie’s business acumen may have been learned, but his ethical foundation was instilled in him from birth. His Hmong identity is not just a part of his story; it is the bedrock of his success. “Growing up in a Hmong household, I was taught early on the value of hard work, humility, and looking out for the people around you,” he says. “Family and community are at the center of our culture, and that mindset has carried into how I run 913BOOM.”
The resilience he saw in his family’s journey as refugees became a blueprint for his own entrepreneurial challenges. “I watched my family work hard and adapt through challenges, which taught me perseverance and problem solving early on,” he explains. “That mindset helps me stay calm and creative when clients face tough competition or shifting markets.” This cultural inheritance gives him a unique competitive edge. It’s not something you can learn in a business course.
His approach to client relationships is also deeply rooted in his culture. “My sense of community and family pride drives everything I do in my business,” he says. “I was raised to celebrate others’ successes and to lift people up, and that mindset shapes how I serve my clients. Helping their businesses grow feels like helping my own community thrive.” This genuine desire to see others succeed builds a level of trust that transcends a simple business transaction. “My Hmong identity has taught me to value respect and genuine connection…I approach customers and partners with honesty and care, creating trust that lasts beyond a single project.”
A Ladder for the Next Generation
Having climbed out of darkness, Levie is now focused on leaving the ladder down for others. His advice for the next generation of Hmong entrepreneurs is direct, honest, and born from lived experience. “If you’re going to struggle, make sure you’re struggling to better yourself,” he urges. “That mindset changes everything.” He knows the path is not easy. “It’s a lonely journey that most people won’t understand, but you’re not making moves to please anyone else, you’re making moves for your dream that no one else understands.”
He stresses the importance of mindset and network. “Dreams feel heavy when you carry them alone, so surround yourself with people who push you forward and not those who hold you back.” He also encourages a broader vision. “Don’t just focus on the Hmong community for your business, attract other demographics too.” His own story is a testament to the power of perseverance. “I grew up in a small town in California, around gangs, fighting, poor school ethics, got married young, had kids at a young age and accepted no guidance early on. I had to learn everything the hard way.” His closing message is one of profound hope and an open hand. “And if I can find my way out of that darkness, I have faith and confidence that you can too. And if you ever need further guidance or just to talk to someone, I’ll make myself available for you.”
Why We Share Levie’s Story: The Hmong Network Mission
At the Hmong Network, our core mission is to celebrate, connect, and uplift Hmong business owners through authentic storytelling that informs, inspires, and empowers. Levie Lee’s story is a perfect embodiment of that mission. His journey is a powerful testament to the resilience and spirit that defines so much of our community. He has not only achieved professional success but has done so while holding tight to the cultural values of family, humility, and service. By sharing his raw and honest account of overcoming immense personal and financial obstacles, we aim to show others what is possible. His story is not a fairytale; it is a real, tangible example of how imperfect action, a powerful “why,” and a connection to one’s roots can pave the way to a self-defined success. Stories like Levie’s provide the roadmap and the motivation for the next generation to start building their own ladders.
A Final Reflection: The Quiet Strength of a Builder
Interviewing Levie Lee is a truly grounding experience. In a world full of noise and self-promotion, he speaks with a quiet confidence that is far more compelling. What I admire most is his profound self-awareness and radical honesty. He doesn’t gloss over the hardships or pretend his journey was easy. He owns his past struggles—the poverty, the bad credit, the lack of education—not as badges of shame, but as the foundational stones upon which he built his new life. His strength isn’t loud or boastful; it is the steady, determined strength of a builder. You can picture him methodically laying one brick at a time, whether for his family’s security, his clients’ visibility, or his own character. He has transformed the weight of his past into the wisdom that now guides him, proving that the most powerful dreams are not the ones we chase, but the ones we choose to build, one imperfect, courageous step at a time.
