My Story

Over the last 25 years as a co-founder and/or CTO, I've helped build multiple world-class, award-winning tech startups that have reached $100M+ in annual revenue, raised more than $60M in venture capital, and been featured in publications such as Forbes, NYT, and WSJ.

I've designed and created everything from advertising and e-commerce platforms used by hundreds of millions of people to patented AI technology that teaches computers the art of perception.

But that’s just a highlight reel - a curated list of external achievements that serves no good purpose.

It conveniently leaves out all of my internal struggles along the way… here is the rest of that story.

You are your obstacle

The lion who breaks the enemy's ranks is a minor hero compared to the lion who overcomes himself. - Rumi

Whether you grew up on food stamps wearing hand-me-down clothes (me ✋) or you grew up blanketed in generational wealth - there is only one true obstacle in life, and it isn’t your circumstances. Your obstacle is how you react to your circumstances.

My obstacle wasn’t that I grew up in poverty, occasionally recycling aluminum cans just to satisfy Maslow’s basest of needs.

My obstacle wasn’t the spine tumor that derailed my final two years of high school and turned me into a drugged out zombie.

My obstacle wasn’t that I didn’t go to college.

None of these were my obstacles - they were my circumstances.

Some were of my own doing, some were not. Regardless, they were my reality.

You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength. - Marcus Aurelius

As cliché as it is, I wouldn’t change a thing from my past. I had necessity coursing through my veins, and I fully tapped into that feeling to get where I am today.

It may have been more difficult for me to develop that grit and resilience had I grown up in an environment that was more secure and stable.

That being said, my environment and circumstances did foster a mindset that was my true obstacle - a set of limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome that have impacted most of my life decisions.