Above all else, I am a husband and a dad who loves his family. If I could have just one more conversation with my own father, I would have so many questions to ask him. I cherish every moment I get to spend with my wife and kids—they are my top priority.

I don’t want to go into too much detail about myself here, as I know that over the course of writing, I’ll naturally share plenty about my life, experiences, and perspectives.

Early Life & Education

I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1974 and had a childhood full of adventure and fun. My family took many vacations and camping trips, which created some of my favorite memories. I grew up with two siblings—an older brother, Jeff, and a younger sister, Melinda—and we shared a lot of great experiences together.

High school was an amazing time for me, especially because I loved playing football. It’s funny how, as kids, we rush to grow up, but once we’re adults, we look back and wish we could relive those years. If I could, I’d love to go back and experience high school in the ‘80s and ‘90s again. (I can’t imagine what it’s like for kids today with all the technology.)

One thing I always tried to do was be kind to everyone. In school, I made a point to talk to and befriend all types of people—the athletes, the quieter kids, and anyone in between. I genuinely wanted everyone to get along, and that mindset has stayed with me throughout life. I still believe in seeing the best in people and trying to be a good friend to everyone.

College & Career Path

After high school, my goal was to play college football and become a teacher. I initially attended Tiffin University, where I had the chance to play football. However, Tiffin didn’t have a teaching program, so I began studying Criminal Justice instead.

I quickly realized that college football at that level was a lot more work than I had expected, and after some time, I decided to focus on enjoying life instead. (In hindsight, maybe not the best decision.) Eventually, I transferred to The University of Toledo to pursue teaching and stopped playing football altogether.

After switching schools, I eventually decided to leave college entirely and start working. I’ll write more about my career journey later, covering the different jobs and businesses I’ve had over the past 25+ years.

My Entrepreneurial Journey

At my core, I am an entrepreneur. I love starting businesses and building companies from the ground up. Over the years, I’ve owned more than 17 businesses, spanning many different industries.

I’ve also invested in stocks and real estate and successfully ran a mortgage and title business, which provided me with the resources to explore new ventures. Usually, when someone presents me with an interesting business idea, I say, “Let’s try it!”. Some ventures turn out great, some are just okay, and others? Complete failures. But every experience has taught me something valuable.

Becoming a Dad

In 2002, I became a father for the first time. Having kids changes everything—suddenly, life is no longer just about you. You start seeing the world through a different lens, and your priorities completely shift.

As I got older, I realized that many of the things I once thought were important no longer mattered as much. What truly matters is the time you spend with your kids and your family.

In 2008, I met my wife, Jenette, and we went on to have three boys—born in 2011, 2012, and 2014. From that point forward, my focus became building the best life possible for my wife and our four sons.

Becoming a husband and father fundamentally changed who I am. I made a conscious decision to always put my family first and to be present for my wife and kids, no matter what.

My Approach to Life

I believe it takes less energy to be happy and kind than it does to be negative or in a bad mood. Every day, I make an effort to stay positive and treat people well.

Sure, life comes with struggles and challenges, but at the end of the day, all that truly matters is having another day with the people you love.

Negativity, anger, and resentment drain energy, whereas kindness, patience, and gratitude make life easier and more fulfilling.

Why I Write

Writing has always been a way for me to express my thoughts and emotions. Unlike social media—where people often share strong opinions and negativity—I prefer to use platforms like Facebook to post about family, life updates, and special moments. I respect different perspectives, and while I don’t always agree with everything, I don’t feel the need to debate online.

Through my writing, I hope to share my experiences, thoughts, and lessons with my family. My goal is to document my life—from family moments to career lessons—so that if I’m ever not here, my kids will have something to look back on.

Remembering My Dad

There are so many reasons I wish my dad was still here, but most of all, I wish I could simply talk to him again—to hear about his life, his stories, and his perspectives.

His passing in January 2017 was unexpected, and I still think about all the conversations I wish we could have had.

The Purpose of This Blog

I’ve attempted to start this blog or website three separate times over the past seven years, but I never quite got it off the ground.

My motivation for finally doing it is simple: I want to leave behind my thoughts, memories, and experiences for my family and friends.

This will be a space where they can find stories from my childhood, insights about business, reflections on life, and other topics that might be helpful or meaningful.

Who knows what the world will look like in 2053? Maybe by then, some of the advice and experiences I share here will still be relevant. Or maybe not—2053 feels like a lifetime away!

Regardless, my goal is to create something my kids can look back on if I were ever unexpectedly gone.

What’s to Come

Through this blog, I plan to write about:

• Life lessons
• Career experiences
• Jobs I’ve had
• Family vacations
• Memorable moments
• Any other thoughts that come to mind

Hopefully, along the way, some of my reflections will help, inspire, or resonate with others.

We’ll see where this journey takes me.