Everyone Needs a Good Origin Story

I grew up in an urban playground where the Boston commuter rail doubled as my first art gallery. Each day, I’d watch graffiti murals whiz by, and to me those weren’t acts of vandalism – they were vibrant storytelling in spray paint. Helping out in my grandfather’s print shop after school, I learned the old-school art of hand-set type and ink, which taught me patience (and that crafting something by hand is worth getting a little ink on your shirt). By night, I was stitching up my own clothing designs and selling them out of my backpack to classmates. Looking back, it makes perfect sense: I’ve always lived at the intersection of creativity and hustle.

From tagging sketchbooks with graffiti ideas to tailoring my own fashion line in homeroom, I was that kid who didn’t just follow trends – I created them. This resourcefulness (okay, and a bit of rebellious streak) led me to an unlikely first career: professional skateboarding. Yes, really – I turned my teenage skate habit into a pro gig, touring the country with my board in hand and eyes wide open. Rolling through new cities and skateparks introduced me to artists, subcultures, and stories in every corner of the U.S. It was like a crash course in cultural anthropology on four wheels, and I soaked up every minute of it.

My skate adventures eventually landed me in Los Angeles, where I swapped ollies and kickflips for sketchbooks and design gigs with major skate, surf, and snow brands. Imagine punk rock meets brand strategy – I was in heaven. By age 20, fueled by equal parts ambition and caffeine, I took a leap and founded my first advertising agency in San Francisco. (Who needs a safety net when you’ve got guts and a great idea, right?) It was baptism by fire, but it taught me how to blend street-smarts with business savvy – a combination I’ve carried through every endeavor since.

Through all these chapters, one thing remained constant: I’m an out gay man who learned early on the power of authenticity and empathy. Navigating life as an outsider in some spaces gave me a unique lens on the world – one that sees past surface differences and zeroes in on human stories. It made me passionate about cultural connection and inclusive storytelling, because I know what it’s like not to see yourself in the story. Over time, I developed a strategic, behavioral outlook on creativity: I don’t see design as just “making things pretty.” I see it as a lever for behavior change, a tool to build understanding, spark empathy, and even transform communities. From graffiti on train tracks to campaigns in boardrooms, my life’s journey has been all about creativity, resourcefulness, trend-spotting, and a touch of cultural anthropology – all rolled up into one purpose: using creativity to make people feel, think, and act differently for the better.

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