A big professional achievement of mine is in being a part of several high-profile manufacturing startups that have all been successful to date. I joined each start-up as one of the very first team members, and I took part in hiring, planning, commissioning, and every other business aspect to help create a successful business. I have gratitude for being fortunate to be a part of the process that has impacted so many lives! 

When my business partner and I started The Alchemist's Phrontistery, we were under contract to use specific contractors. These contractors often ditched our site for bigger ticketed jobs nearby. So, in order to open our doors for the first time, I learned carpentry and metal working, fabricated all tables, chairs, and shelving, and we were able to open! Our first month, October 2018, was a huge success, grossing 3x our forecast! 

In addition to fabricating the furniture associated with my latest start-up, I also had to quickly learn culinary and mixology techniques that would set our business apart from the rest. My business partner and I came up with concepts we knew we could be successful at, but were also challenging. So, we decided to change our menu monthly in order to learn new dishes, techniques, and drinks. We were very successful in our endeavor, but we learned that this particular business strategy wasn't scaleable if we were to sell the business, as not everybody is capable of accelerated learning. 

I take great pride in being able to design a learning program that can take various people from a variety of backgrounds, and provide the skills and hands-on experience for them to have a heavy weight in important organizational decisions. From installing and commissioning new equipment, reading P&ID's like the one displayed to the left, to catching design flaws and recommending practical solutions to company engineers and outside vendors, the fundamental skills that the teams have learned through my mentorship and teaching was a welcome surprise and a personal affirmation that my approach is effective.