About Me
Upbringing
I grew up in Marin County, California, a quiet suburban area that's objectively one of the most beautiful places in the country: rolling hills, perfect weather, and just minutes from both the bay and the Pacific Ocean. My parents worked hard to give our family a life in this environment, even though it was expensive and often a financial stretch.
My childhood was fairly typical. I made friends, played sports and video games, went to school, and tried to figure out who I wanted to become. When college applications came around, I chose Civil Engineering, not out of passion, but because it offered one of the most stable and high-paying career paths nationwide.
College
I attended UC Davis, just an hour from home. The classes were tough, but the lifestyle was fun and manageable. After my first year, I landed an internship at a Civil Engineering firm near my hometown. I didn't love it. The work felt like a dead end, and I couldn't imagine doing something like that for the next 40 years.
I returned to the same company the following summer, but I had already made up my mind that I needed to switch paths. I changed my major to Economics for three reasons:
- • The coursework was easier
- • It opened up more diverse job options
- • It still allowed access to high-paying careers
The rest of college went by without too much friction. Six months before graduation, I met someone who changed my life. We clicked instantly. As graduation approached, I focused all my energy on finding a job near Davis or Sacramento so we could stay together, and I did.
Post-College
I accepted a consulting job in Davis. The pay was okay, and I was grateful for it. But since all my college friends had already sorted out their housing, I had to figure something out on my own. Rather than spend $1,700 on a one-bedroom apartment, I asked my girlfriend if she'd want to move in together and split a two-bedroom. It was quick—just six months in—but it felt right at the time.
So began my post-grad routine: 45-hour workweeks, saving aggressively, and living for the weekends. But deep down, I knew if I didn't make a change, I'd be in the same place decades later. Maybe I'd have a house in a nice neighborhood, but that would be it.
I started researching rental property investing as a way to build something long term. California prices were out of reach, so I looked out of state. That's when the idea hit me. I wanted to build a platform that helps people analyze real estate markets from anywhere.
The Business
I started seriously pursuing the idea in mid-2024. The plan was simple: work my day job, then grind on the business in every spare hour. I had a decent foundation in data and technology from my consulting role, but I knew next to nothing about startups, web development, or marketing.
After six months of slow progress, I made a change and went part time at work. I wasn't saving money anymore, but I wasn't dipping into my savings either. It gave me the space to make real headway. I'd work from 8 to noon, then spend the rest of the day building my business. It was working, but it was hard to juggle that with being a good partner.
Leaving the Job
When my company started doing layoffs, I volunteered to leave right after my two-year mark. I was given a severance that gave me a financial cushion and, more importantly, the time and headspace to go all in. I made the most progress yet and was just a few months away from launching.
But my relationship started to fall apart.
The Breakup
There had been cracks for a while. I wasn't emotionally supportive enough, and she didn't feel as excited to spend time together as she once did. We hadn't wronged each other—we were just growing apart.
At the end of July, she asked to break up.
We were still living together, sharing a two-bedroom apartment with bunk beds to help us both sleep better. After the breakup, I moved into the smaller room. That's where I'm writing this now.
We're still friends, and I think I'll always love her. She's an amazing person who made me better. The breakup was the hardest thing I've ever been through, made worse by the fact that there wasn't a villain in the story. Just two people trying to grow.
Our lease ends in November. After that, I'll probably travel for a bit before settling down again. It feels like the right time.
Building This Site
After the breakup, I took a week off from everything. I stayed in bed, rewatched Harry Potter, and let myself cry. For the first time in my life, I felt truly hopeless.
But eventually, that passed.
I started taking control again. I knew I needed something to hold me accountable, especially now that I was alone. So I made the decision to build a personal brand and share my progress publicly.
This site is my foundation. It keeps me focused on the fundamentals: health, business, and wellbeing. It helps me move forward, one day at a time. And if you're reading this, I want to thank you for being part of that journey.
