From Dirt to Design: Why We Build
The Creator’s Club Reflection
Eight years ago, I left a steady corporate job to build Ramp Talent and Sumato Coffee. I didn’t have a roadmap—just a severance check, belief in myself, grit, and a deep desire to create something of my own.
Before that, I’d played key roles in start-ups, including a startup-within-a-big-company at Honeywell and the VC-backed rocket ship HireVue. I watched CEOs take it on the chin, navigating the highs and lows of scaling a business. It was painful, chaotic, and oddly thrilling. Way better than a predictable 9-to-5.
Ramp Talent and Sumato Coffee are both self-funded. They’ve stretched me more than any job I’ve ever had. And while I’m not done growing, I’m optimistic about what’s ahead. Yes, there are down days—but if I can find the strength to face what’s in front of me, I do. And when I can’t? That’s where the real lessons show up.
About four years ago, I stood on a bare plot of dirt—what would eventually become our custom home. I wasn’t chasing luxury. I could’ve bought fancy cars but chose to keep driving my 2008 RAV4. What I saw in that dirt was a vision—a space to live, work, entertain, and love. A space to create something lasting. And yeah, we added a pool—Utah summers are no joke, and we were always at the public ones anyway.
We’re now nearing the finish line. Same neighborhood. Way better views. A home that’s both functional and full of heart.
What I’ve realized is this: whether it’s a house, a business, or a better version of yourself—building is never just about the end result. It’s about the process—the setbacks, the decisions, the nights that don’t end, and the lessons you didn’t ask for but needed. You’ll never be prouder than when you look at something that you built through sacrifice and belief.
And I think part of why I’ve learned to love the hard things goes back to something deeper. When I was 17, I survived a horrific car accident—thrown from a car at highway speed, shattered bones, months in a hospital bed, and years of recovery. I still walk with a limp. It’s a reminder that I’ve already been through hell. That experience rewired how I deal with pain, struggle, and growth.
Now, every challenge in business—or life—feels like training I’ve already done. I wouldn’t wish that accident on anyone. But when chaos hits, I know how to sit with discomfort and move forward anyway.
That’s why I feel so connected to founders—and anyone who’s figured out how to make tough situations better. We’ve all seen the dirt and dared to build something from it.
My leadership philosophy is simple: care more than anyone else. You’re going to make mistakes. I’ve made one recently I’m still working through. But when you care deeply, you show up differently. You push through. You lead better. You build better.
Have you ever dealt with someone who clearly didn’t care about their job? You can feel it. It’s the worst. That’s why I keep coming back to a phrase that’s been bouncing around in my head lately: Be Undeniably Great.
It’s a mindset from people like Steve Martin and Kobe Bryant—do your work so well that no one can deny your value. Doesn’t matter what your role is. You can always care more and execute at a higher level.
And part of my work—especially at Ramp Talent—is helping other people do that too. Build great careers. Discover what they’re capable of. Navigate changes, level up, and find work that stretches them in the right ways. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when someone believes in you and opens the right door. If I can play a small part in helping someone grow personally and professionally, that’s a win every time.
And while all this has been deeply personal, I’ve also been thinking a lot about what kind of example I’m setting for my kids. I want them to know this home wasn’t about getting more stuff—it was about creating something meaningful, something earned. I hope one day they’ll look back and remember that their dad didn’t buy his way into anything. He built it. Through trial, patience, and a whole lot of faith.
What’s next? For me—it’s more building. Ramp Talent is evolving. Sumato Coffee is just getting warmed up. I’ve got new ideas on the horizon, and a strong desire to keep connecting with people who are building too.
That’s what The Creator’s Club is really about. Not just making stuff—but becoming someone in the process. If you’ve ever looked at a blank slate and decided to start anyway, welcome—you’re already in the Club.
Are you building something right now? Drop me a note or share your story—I’d love to hear about it.