While in second grade, I saw my Uncle Greg working on a computer, and I asked him what he was up to. He replied he was working on the thesis for his doctorate. I then asked what it was on, and he said it was for a defense contractor and that the research was top secret. I then replied, "I want to do that", and focused on getting good grades in my math and science classes, so that someday, I could work on top secret weapons systems like my Uncle.

Then while in middle school, I decided to join "The Young Investors Club" started by the art teacher at my middle school. After my team returned over 60+% in 3 months with fake money (this of course was 1998), I decided I wanted to invest real money. I took the salary I made doing my Uncle's bookkeeping and started Jupela Investments, an investment partnership for my family, with him and my aunt. I also decided I wanted to be on Wall Street, but didn't know how to reconcile that with engineering...

In 10th grade, I figured it out. Instead of being an engineer for someone else, I decided to develop a technology company that I could use to fund the ideas I came up with. A couple companies and a shift into focusing on socially responsible enterprises later, I'm now working on developing Mavenry with my business partner Zach.