Going Independent: Taking the Plunge
When I was 14 years old I started my first business. I won’t say it
was the most ethical business… I would write college level research
papers for my brother’s friends at $10 a page. It wasn’t a bad way to
make money. When I was 15 I started my second business; burning and
selling CDs at $5 a piece. It more than covered the cost my brand new
external CD burner (a fairly high tech gadget in 1999), and paid for a
few trips to the movies with my friends. When I was 17 I contracted
to make my first commercial website for a modeling agency. I’ve done
various other odd jobs since then for money. I’ve mowed lawns, washed
windows, done photo editing, magazine layouts. I’ve even spent a few
summers babysitting for cash. When I was 18 I got a job programming for a local web development
firm, and worked for them for three years. Then I got another job as
the lead developer for a local used media company, and worked with
them for two years. I went to school on and off while I worked for
these companies, but I could never get over my severe dislike of such
a rigid, bureaucratic environment, so I never took it very seriously.
Right about this time I started a clothing line with my brother and
best friend, Byena Clothing. I ran Byena for a couple years before
selling my shares to my friend, and letting him run it. I really enjoyed working for the companies here in Tucson. I learned
an invaluable amount about business, programming and just life in
general. I made some really good friends and had some great times in
the process too. Earlier this summer I decided that it was time I return to my
entrepreneurial roots, and go back into business for myself. I had
lined up a few clients that I was confident could carry me through at
least a year of working for myself. I don’t have anything against the
companies I’ve worked for, I’ve just always been the type to march to
the beat of my own drum. I’ve actually been working for myself since
June 15th, and am loving it. I’ve been focusing on iPhone Development
and Web App Development. I’ve also done a little consulting on app
design and project management. It’s been a fun summer so far. My company is called “halfSquared”. The name was actually thought up
by the lovely Kim Stearns of Forty fame. I thought it suited me well.
“Square” is what they used to call nerds and geeks back in the day,
and I’ve always had one foot in that world. My good friend Tyler did
some concept work on an identity for me, which is attached to the
post.
@1 year agowas the most ethical business… I would write college level research
papers for my brother’s friends at $10 a page. It wasn’t a bad way to
make money. When I was 15 I started my second business; burning and
selling CDs at $5 a piece. It more than covered the cost my brand new
external CD burner (a fairly high tech gadget in 1999), and paid for a
few trips to the movies with my friends. When I was 17 I contracted
to make my first commercial website for a modeling agency. I’ve done
various other odd jobs since then for money. I’ve mowed lawns, washed
windows, done photo editing, magazine layouts. I’ve even spent a few
summers babysitting for cash. When I was 18 I got a job programming for a local web development
firm, and worked for them for three years. Then I got another job as
the lead developer for a local used media company, and worked with
them for two years. I went to school on and off while I worked for
these companies, but I could never get over my severe dislike of such
a rigid, bureaucratic environment, so I never took it very seriously.
Right about this time I started a clothing line with my brother and
best friend, Byena Clothing. I ran Byena for a couple years before
selling my shares to my friend, and letting him run it. I really enjoyed working for the companies here in Tucson. I learned
an invaluable amount about business, programming and just life in
general. I made some really good friends and had some great times in
the process too. Earlier this summer I decided that it was time I return to my
entrepreneurial roots, and go back into business for myself. I had
lined up a few clients that I was confident could carry me through at
least a year of working for myself. I don’t have anything against the
companies I’ve worked for, I’ve just always been the type to march to
the beat of my own drum. I’ve actually been working for myself since
June 15th, and am loving it. I’ve been focusing on iPhone Development
and Web App Development. I’ve also done a little consulting on app
design and project management. It’s been a fun summer so far. My company is called “halfSquared”. The name was actually thought up
by the lovely Kim Stearns of Forty fame. I thought it suited me well.
“Square” is what they used to call nerds and geeks back in the day,
and I’ve always had one foot in that world. My good friend Tyler did
some concept work on an identity for me, which is attached to the
post.
