THE
JOURNEY

My entrepreneurial journey began early and is ongoing today.  Here is a lifetime of learning experiences that have shaped my point of view:

 

• Age 14 – Launched my first business based on paper route arbitrage.

• Age 19 – Started a photo restoration service while juggling part-time retail work and college. This was an early lesson in understanding the importance of scalability and a sound business model.

• Age 22 – Acquired Folkemer Photo Service from the retiring owner with SBA assistance. The business offered retail, educational, and wholesale distribution of photographic, A/V, and Apple computer products. After expansion into IT, I eventually sold my shares to my business partner. I still wonder what could have been if it had been properly capitalized.

• Founded and led a specialized IT systems business targeting the federal government. The company was sold after a major contract award—our growth quickly outpaced our ability to fund it. Another valuable lesson.

• Joined a video systems integrator startup, which was later sold after peak growth. The timing was perfect, but like many businesses, it reached an evolve or decline juncture for continued growth.

• Joined a sports analytics company that disrupted the market before “Moneyball” came on the scene. It experienced rapid growth before being sold after reaching its own point of evolution or decline.

• Joined a streaming media startup to develop enterprise sales. Despite initial success, the company faltered during the dot-com crash. Tough times exposed it for not addressing a legitimate market need.

• Attempted to bootstrap a conferencing software business long before Webex or Zoom. While the vision was there, the execution wasn’t .. proof that vision without execution is just dreaming.

• Named on a patent for a novel software architecture invention involving AI object detection in streaming video, marking my first inclusion in a patent.

• Led U.S. operations and turnaround for a content and records management startup, which was later acquired by IBM. This one involved a mix of luck and optimal market timing.

• Joined FileNet to build and launch a new product portfolio, including making an acquisition. FileNet was later acquired by IBM. FileNet was a great company. My experience there was a “worst to first” amusement park ride in an emerging fast growth market.

• Began mentoring veteran entrepreneurs through a partnership with American Corporate Partners (ACP) .. later expanded to include university and government programs.

• Spent over a decade at IBM in executive leadership roles, driving AI innovation, strategic growth, acquisitions, and turnarounds. Named an IBM Entrepreneur-in-Residence, I also founded the Intrapreneurship@IBM initiative. I loved my time at IBM .. until I didn’t. Operational excellence and scalability remain top lessons from my time there.

• Launched Building Bigger + Better Businesses in 2021.

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