Why I created LegacyNex
It’s been a year and a half since I lost my dad, and as time passes, the absence of his voice, stories, and wisdom becomes even more profound. Adam Grant recently said that grief gives us purpose—and I’ve found my purpose through LegacyNex.
I built LegacyNex because I don’t want anyone else to experience the regret of having “no other time” to document the most important pieces of a loved one’s life. I wish I could hear my dad’s voice today, but it’s not too late for others.
In the final weeks with my dad, I remember sitting by his bedside, thinking of all the leadership lessons and life principles he lived by. I asked him if I could record him—just five simple questions to capture his voice, his pauses, and his values. But he said, “Elena, another time.” There was no other time.
My experience, sadly, isn’t unique. In my Summer 2024 Legacy Survey, with a sample of over 1,000 people, the number one thing people said they miss the most after losing a loved one is their stories, voices, and the small everyday nuances that made them them. The survey showed that material items are often secondary when we reflect on loss—it’s the memories and the personal connections we crave.
A fragile gift
A few years ago, during a visit from my parents, I had a moment that I now hold incredibly close. It was late, and while my mom had gone to bed, my dad, my husband, and I sat by the fire and talked about his past. My dad shared stories from his youth that I had never heard before—stories that gave me a glimpse into who he was as a young man, navigating life, making decisions, and learning along the way. It was a side of him I had never known, and that night became one of my most cherished memories. I have to close my eyes tightly now to hold onto that moment, fearing that, with time, I might lose it.
When we take the time to capture personal stories, whether for ourselves or for someone else, it’s one of the greatest gifts we can give. Wills are important legal documents, but they’re just that—papers dictating who gets what, with no context, no emotional depth, no meaning. It’s just money, jewelry, and things.
The mission behind LegacyNex is to go beyond the material and help people will forward what truly matters. It’s about sharing the stories, values, and experiences that shaped a life—what matters in the end and what will continue to matter for the future.
I built LegacyNex because I don’t want anyone else to experience the regret of having “no other time” to document the most important pieces of a loved one’s life. I wish I could hear my dad’s voice today, but it’s not too late for others. As I navigate this "post-dad" era of my life, with major changes happening both personally and professionally, I wish I had his voice to turn to, his stories to learn from. I want to make sure that others don’t lose that chance.
Free guide available at legacynex.com
As LegacyNex approaches its official launch in January, we're offering early access to help you start this meaningful journey now.
Sign up to be the first to learn about what LegacyNex can do for you, and you’ll receive a free guide to help you reflect on your legacy—beyond financial assets—and start thinking about the stories, values, and experiences you want to share with your loved ones.
If you lost someone tomorrow, would you have the memories, the stories, the voice to hold onto? LegacyNex is here to help you preserve what matters most. While there’s still time.