I have always been interested in building things.
Product leadership is a big part of my professional life, but curiosity, creativity, entrepreneurship, and hands-on problem solving have always extended well beyond my career.
Over the years, that curiosity has led me to start businesses, record music, restore old things, build new things, coach young athletes, and take on projects simply because I wanted to understand how they worked and see if I could make them work better.
Ideas into Businesses
Throughout my career, I have co-founded and operated multiple small businesses and start-up ventures. Each started differently, but all required the same willingness to move from an idea to execution.
A Business Built from a 1956 Camper
Co-founded a mobile catering and beverage business built from a restored 1956 vintage camper trailer.
We took the concept from restoration and creation through launch and operation, ultimately selling the company for a profit.
Independent Record Label
Founded and operated an independent record label on Minneapolis’ historic West Bank, combining my interests in music, creativity, entrepreneurship, and the independent arts community.
Studios, Songs & Original Music
A 1926 Cedar Barn
Co-founded and operated an independent recording studio housed in a cedar barn built in 1926, creating a distinctive space for local musicians and recording projects.
Among the artists who recorded there was Trampled by Turtles, who recorded their first demo CD at the studio.
Songwriting & Performance
I have also been a lead singer and songwriter in a local original band, with a long-standing interest in songwriting, recording, collaboration, and live performance.
Music has remained one of the most important creative outlets in my life and a reminder that not everything worth creating needs to start with a business objective.
Builder, Restorer & Problem Solver
I like understanding how things work.
That interest frequently turns into hands-on projects. I have restored antiques, worked on vintage pieces, and taken on projects that require learning unfamiliar systems, solving practical problems, and figuring things out along the way.
One of my larger projects was designing, engineering, and installing the solar panel array and supporting system for my home. The project combined research, system design, technical problem solving, planning, and hands-on installation.
These projects are less about having a particular hobby and more about curiosity. I enjoy learning enough about something unfamiliar to understand the system, solve the problem, and build it myself.
Coaching, Mentoring & Giving Back
Some of the most meaningful leadership experiences happen outside the workplace.
Youth Sports Coaching
Volunteer youth sports coach across multiple seasons, focused on helping young athletes develop confidence, teamwork, accountability, resilience, and an appreciation for being part of a team.
Community Sports Leadership
Served more than two years in a board-level role for a community traveling basketball organization, while also serving as webmaster and SportsEngine administrator supporting league operations and communication.
Curiosity tends to lead somewhere.
Software products, small businesses, music, vintage campers, recording studios, solar systems, antiques, and youth sports may not seem closely related. For me, they are connected by curiosity, creativity, ownership, and the satisfaction that comes from learning, solving problems, working with people, and building something that did not exist before.