Things I Tried
I really have worked in almost every industry on earth. A few stand out as life changing.
Fashion
Life is often about taking a chance on the opportunity in front of you. And for some reason, I was given an opportunity to make clothes for a potential first round draft pick in June of 2016. I had never made clothes on that kind of stage, never been to New York and never worked with a sports agency or an athlete. But when asked if I could do it I said yes. Borrowed some money from my friend and went to New York for the first time as I figured out the rest in real time. A month later, the Sacramento Kings hired me. Then I got a call from the UTAH Jazz, then the New York Knicks ...and the rest is history as I built a brand that became internationally recognized in under 18 months. Not bad for a guy that was homeless just 18 months prior.
Tech
I once built a tech company in my mid 20s that won every award at Seattles top investor pitch events. Google, Microsoft and Intercontinental Hotels named it the top new travel and tech company at the time. The idea was to turn our phones in early 2012 into a mini concierge, giving you access to insider exclusives like secret menus and experiences where you could eat with the chef in his kitchen. It would later become known as one of the top events brands in the city working with City of Seattle and large companies like Starbucks and iconic brands like The Space Needle.
3D Manufacturing
I taught myself low level cad so I could design a part for my dogs motorized pee pad I built her. This led me to find a local manufacturer in Chicago where I actually got hired as their VP. I loved this opportunity, not just because it got me back into the work force after the Pandemic, but it proved to me that I could still learn new things. It did amazing things for my self esteem and is the reason I did so much volunteer work for the city of Chicago.
Health and Fitness
After working at the 3D manufacturing company, I needed a new job in a city called Des Moines Iowa, so that I could be closer to my parents. TBH, I kind of felt like I may lose my battle with my mental health, because I could not figure out who I needed to be any longer. The redemption story, or the revenge one. I wanted to spend some time with them before I made that choice and because of my new fondness for blood and hormones, thanks to the Andrew Huberman podcast, I became well versed in understanding the human body. So much so, one of the top health clinics hired me as their VP, where I managed new protocols and again proved to myself that I can step into nearly any field and excel.