After founding a retail phone repair company, I realized my favorite part of the job was using software to automate operations and provide better value to our customers.
Dan and Doug didn't wait for anyone to 'pick' them—they built their own stage. They started with the Hammerkatz sketch group at NYU, then hustled their way into the legendary Upright Citizens Brigade. The first time they remember getting paid to be funny, they earned a bunch of Chipotle gift cards and some Rolling Rocks. 'We felt like we were rich,' laughs Dan.
I got a degree from Douglas College in programming and business management. I understood the business side more and was better at that than at being a coder.
In Japan, the way I dressed became one of the clearest lessons about work, credibility, and belonging. I quickly learned that even in casual offices, there are unspoken expectations.