I have the gift of feeling the feelings of others easily [empathy]. I constantly come up with interesting ideas [ideation]. When a problem arises, I go with the flow [adaptability] and I make the most of what I am given [maximizer]. I know all things happen for a reason, and things happen for me and not to me [connectedness]. I see and recognize the potential in others, and encourage others to be the best version of themselves [developer]. When I friend someone, I am not afraid to go deep quickly [relator]. I sort through complex matter and find the best route to navigate [strategic]. I do that by spending time thinking by myself a lot [intellection]. I encourage people to find their special sauce [individualization]. I am loyal, and will not abandon my people [responsible]. In complex situations I arrange moving pieces to make the most of the possibility  [arranger].

I have a stable, positive & lighthearted attitude [positivity]. I don’t waste time in difference of opinion, rather I focus on what unifies [harmony].

In my own small business journey, I’ve had to figure out a lot of things for the first time.

I’ve had to figure out how to use a camera, use photoshop, build websites, optimize SEO, invoice and accept payments, link GSuite to my domain name, build on social media, run Google and Facebook ads, create an email newsletter, and lead and close out successful sales consultations…

If only my name was Jack, then you could call me Jack of all trades.

As a graduate from University of Wisconsin Madison with a Computer Science degree, logical thinking was my training. That logical thinking has carried me in every aspect of what I now consider my art. After 10+ years of working in the IT industry (from help desk to network administrator), I was burnt out. So I left that career and pursued my career in serial entrepreneurship. 

My wife and I launched our photography business, even though neither of us went to photography school or business school. I took the skills from my IT background and launched our own website, figuring out everything as we went along.

A few years later, my wife was introduced to doTERRA essential oils. We decided to take part in the business opportunity. The company culture at the time was really focused on doing business “belly to belly”, and we quickly realized there was a lack of simple business tools available that appealed to us and supported us in the way that we wanted to build. So we got to work and utilized our photography background and my IT background, and created a lot of business tools that helped us take our business online (before doing it online was cool), as well as figured out systems to support our team. 

A few more years later, I had an idea to create essential oil themed apparel to serve the doTERRA community, as there was a lack of high quality and visually appealing shirts available. We then launched our third company, I AM DIAMOND. I had to figure out a whole different industry–from workflow, to supply chain, to logistics and shipping, to running a booth at doTERRA Convention and Leadership, to partnering with an influencer to do affiliate marketing. After a little over a year of running I AM DIAMOND, we decided to sell out our inventory and close that business. We sold over 800 shirts and learned a lot of new skills with e-commerce.

Now, we still operate our first two businesses, while I also offer help to other small businesses as a consultant from the skillset that I’ve accumulated over the years.