The Path Less Traveled

I started off homeschooled, then bounced between different schools - a couple of public schools, a Catholic school, and finally another public school. Through this patchwork education, I discovered a fundamental truth: the only real education is what you teach yourself. All genuine learning is empirical, bound by your ability to observe, extrapolate, and distill knowledge. Institutions might provide structure, but enlightenment happens in isolation.

Living this philosophy, I finished my high school credits early to study Mechatronics at a community college, while simultaneously securing my first position at a software consultancy. There, I worked on two projects that validated my approach to learning:

• A Hello Fresh-like platform integrated with insurance systems - a complex intersection I navigated through self-directed exploration
• An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for hardware stores, where I owned various inventory management features by teaching myself the intricacies that formal education never covered

The College Question

I began the MIT application process, meticulously completing half before confronting a profound realization: what I truly valued was the freedom to pursue my interests and forge my own path. This epiphany led me to abandon traditional education in favor of practical experience.

Instead of college, I committed full-time to the software consultancy, diving deep into Ruby on Rails and Vue.js development. This decision embodied my belief that hands-on learning and real-world problem-solving could be more valuable than formal education—at least for my particular journey.

The 3D Printing Odyssey

My fascination with 3D printing began in 6th grade when I received my first Monoprice Mini Delta printer. i learned TinkerCAD, designing Pokemon and other objects, eventually leading to SolidWorks proficiency during my Mechatronics studies.

After a year at the consultancy, I found an opportunity through a friend from my coworking space The Factory to join a 3D printing startup, aligning perfectly with my longstanding passion. In Grand Rapids, I immersed myself in the running, 3D printing, and programming communities, expanding both my technical skills and social connections.

The San Francisco Chapter

I grew quite discontent with my michigandian comfort and relative success. Driven by ambition—specifically to earn $100,000 before turning 20—and seeking the innovation hub where my 3D printing company was headquartered, I relocated to San Francisco.

My west coast experience brought intense focus on 3D printer development, see https://genfab.co and https://genfab.co/i-400-release

Entrepreneurial Ventures

After leaving, I decided to work on The Maker Mesh, an online 3D printing service. The venture gained approximately 30 users during my month hanging out with friends at founders inc

Yet the solitary nature of solo entrepreneurship proved challenging. This isolation led to a profound realization, catalyzed by an enlightening psychedelic experience: truly impactful endeavors result from collaborative human effort.

Present Path & Future Vision

A serendipitous call from my friend JX from Noisebridge—who worked at the humanoid robot company KScale Labs—arrived the day after my epiphany about robotics' future role in infrastructure. This cosmic timing felt significant, and I joined KScale Labs as a contractor, immersing myself in a community of inventors dedicated to robotics advancement.

While I've somewhat recalibrated my vision for the 3D printing service due to limited market demand, my passion for small robots and mechanical innovation continues unabated, guiding my current projects and future aspirations.