Business

First and foremost, I believe business is a game.

We're all playing it in different markets, at different levels, with different people. Once you understand this everything else becomes more clear. Props to Naval Ravikant for stating this so eloquently and helping me realize it.

Professionally, I identify as a conscious creator.

I've crafted all kinds of things as a designer, software engineer, writer, coach and curious leader. I've built businesses myself from the ground up, and I've amplified other businesses for various clients and partners.

The drive to create and bring things to life is one of my gifts.

I see business as an opportunity to express our unique ideas and offerings. I balance chaos and order well, knowing that they are inevitable in any business. I can go deep into the art and soul of business while still bringing focus and clarity to systems.

I've also exited several businesses, each offering unique lessons in failure, success and return on investment.

Business continues to evolve for me.

I invested the first 15 years of my adult life using my gifts to build digital experiences for start-ups, Fortune 500's, coaches, communities and everyone in between. I still own and partner in small software businesses to fuel the lifestyle of my choice.

Since 2022, I've been heavily investing in the creation of in-person experiences. I now design and lead retreats, self discovery programs, epic adventures and other events that inspire us to reconnect with our human nature.

I use this website to occasionally share things I've learned over the years during my experiences and failures. I think that's the part I would share with a beginning entrepreneur - you have to fail to learn anything meaningful in business. That's why I know more about business than most humans. I've simply tried and failed more times than most people.

All that said, I still know nothing. So take my business advice with a grain of salt :)

More of my story...

Back in 2007 I started my professional journey learning web design in my parents basement... yep, right after I dropped out of my last semester of college.

I invested thousands of hours in front of my old Dell computer learning web design and anything else I could get my hands on. My younger brother still thinks I was "playing on the computer" to this day :)

I didn't realize I was starting a business (at the time)... I was merely following my curiosity to create things.

Building websites from scratch was so fascinating to me. I loved the freedom to explore and make things that I could share with anyone.

This eventually led to requests from friends and family for websites. So I started building websites and slowly created a small freelance business. A couple years later I got my first job as a web developer, and then worked for several other companies in a variety of roles as I grew my skillset.

I invested most of my 20's refining my hard skills at startups, corporations, and various consulting engagements. I learned how to write quality code, work with teams and develop complex web applications.

I became an elite web developer, which was great, but it wasn't enough...

So in my early 30's I started getting more curious about business and growth. I pursued soft skills and entrepreurial endeavours. I learned how to sell, build businesses, exit businesses, and do all the things a small business owner must do.

I started hiring, managing teams and creating repeatable systems that helped with an ambition to "scale."

In some ways this new exploration broke me...

I found myself stressed, overwhelmed and often defeated amidst the rush of building businesses. I took on the roles of CEO, CTO and COO with no clear boundaries or agreements of what those title actually meant.

This led to experiencing burnout [twice] in my mid 30's.

I tested my capacity as I was becoming a new father and leading several businesses simultaneously. It was simply too much. I hit rock bottom internally, even though everything looked great on the outside.

This forced me to "wake up" and start asking some of life's bigger questions. It opened up new paths into coaching, designing retreats, self discovery programs, and other experiences that lead others to their truth.

This awakening also helped me redefine what work actually means in my life.

I've come to learn that the hardest work is the work on myself and the work in my home.

That's the real work that matters. The work that will outlive me. The work that will create legacy and generational impact.

Today, in my early 40's, I approach business radically different.

I still own, lead and partner in small businesses. I see them as vehicles that create the freedom and flexibility to live the lifestyle of my choice.

I engage in businesses that give me energy and real fullfilment. I look for ways to play, explore, challenge myself, rest when needed, and lead consciously.

Most importantly, I choose to create and work on things that embody my fullest expression.

Business has evolved into a game that I enjoy playing.

Inspiration

In no particular order, these leaders have inspired the way I work.

• Ryan Levesque
• Erica Schreiber
• Philip McKernan
• Jon Vroman
• Naval Ravikant
• James Clear
• Nathan Barry
• Justin Welsh
• Jason Fried
• Noah Kagan
• Dan Sullivan
• Gay Hendricks

Some business insights:

• 1 Look for work that gives you energy. Otherwise, it will always feel like a "job."
• 2 Surround yourself with people that make life richer, which has nothing to do with money.
• 3 Consistency and extraordinary effort will always pay off.
• 4 Look for ways to give and things will eventually be given to you.
• 5 The relationships and experiences in your life are what create real value, not material things.