Entrepreneur, Technologist, Visionary
Success doesn’t always show up wearing a suit. Sometimes it looks like waking up with purpose, putting in the work, and knowing your effort meant something. For me, success isn’t about job titles or headlines. It’s about building something real—with my own hands, my own values, and a team that shares my drive to make a difference.
I’ve worn a lot of hats over the years: a walk-on athlete at the University of Georgia, a nightlife executive in Las Vegas, a founder, a financial analyst, a hospitality leader, a tech CEO. I’ve led multi-million dollar ventures, worked inside massive public companies, and rebuilt myself after personal and professional disasters. The thread that ties it all together? A relentless belief that ideas matter—but execution matters more.
A Journey Fueled by Purpose
I wasn’t born into this. I walked onto the UGA football team with nothing but grit. I studied politics and international development, spent time building schools in South Africa through Global L.E.A.D., and earned certifications in everything from wine to mixology. I fell into the nightlife world by accident—and stayed because I saw a different way to lead.
At MGM Resorts, I earned a spot on the elite “Solutions” team at corporate. At Drai’s Enterprises, I rose to EVP, helping reshape Las Vegas nightlife. I founded GRAE Hospitality to bring a new model to Atlanta’s social scene—and while that venture hit some hard realities, it also taught me more than any success story ever could.
Since then, I’ve co-founded and led ventures that sit at the intersection of innovation and infrastructure. Today, I’m a partner at Two Roads Consulting, where we help municipalities strengthen emergency response systems. I’m also diving deep into drone and aerospace tech—because I believe the future of human problem-solving will be airborne, autonomous, and radically decentralized.
The Real Definition of Success
People ask me often: what does success look like to you?
To me, it’s not just a profit sheet. It’s a sense of forward movement. Success means accomplishing objectives that thrive financially and improve lives. It means building a culture where people feel heard, valued, and encouraged to grow.
Success is about impact. It’s about creating a platform for others to succeed. Whether it’s helping a local government streamline emergency services, or empowering users of a new gig economy platform, I measure success in the ripple effects, not just the headlines.
Lessons From Failure
I won’t sugarcoat it, some ventures pushed me to the edge. One hospitality business I launched faced it all: a global pandemic, a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a drunk driver, internal fractures, and unexpected public setbacks, including a viral moment for all the wrong reasons. We even had a roof collapse.
It was brutal. Our team was gutted. Momentum vanished overnight.
But I learned. I learned who shows up when everything falls apart. I learned how fragile hype is when it’s not backed by substance. And I learned that your name, your values, and your willingness to keep showing up—day after day, are the only things that truly scale.
What Drives Me Today
I’m building again, carefully, consciously. My focus now is on long-term, scalable systems with real-world utility. That includes my consulting work with municipalities, my involvement in high-impact tech platforms, and most recently, my exploration of drone and aerospace technology. I believe these tools will soon help solve food delivery gaps, infrastructure mapping, emergency supply chain logistics, and more.
My next venture is about applying aerospace and drone innovation to solve stubborn human problems. I’m especially interested in how autonomous systems can extend beyond convenience into crisis: supporting disaster relief, reaching underserved populations, and optimizing how we understand and respond to our environments. This isn’t about flash. It’s about future-proofing communities and building infrastructure that adapts in real time. I see aerospace not as an escape, but as a way to reconnect our systems to the people who need them most.
I’m also passionate about mentorship. I remind young entrepreneurs: you don’t have to have all the answers. But you do have to own your mistakes, learn fast, and outwork the room. As I often say, hard work, dedication, and sacrifice will almost always beat raw talent that’s lazy or entitled.
Advice for Founders in the Service Economy
If you’re building something new—especially in service tech—lead with empathy. Understand what your user truly wants on an emotional level, not just what they say they need. Then build your team and your product around that mission. You can’t do it alone.
The best ideas usually come from a personal gap—something that felt missing in your own life. That emotional spark is what gives a company staying power. It keeps you grounded when the market shifts and gives your team a reason to care. Find that story. Build from there.
Measuring Success Today
Today, I measure success across a few key metrics:
- Fulfillment: Does this work make me proud?
- Impact: Are we improving the lives of our users, our team, our community?
- Longevity: Are we building something that can outlive us?
- Alignment: Do my actions reflect my values?
Sure, I still care about growth, revenue, and innovation. But I care just as much about whether the people working beside me are thriving. Whether we’re solving real problems. Whether our product is honest, helpful, and grounded in reality.
I’m the kind of person who gets antsy when I’m not building. But I’ve learned to balance ambition with intention. Every business I build now must serve a deeper purpose. Whether it’s community resilience, individual empowerment, or forward-looking tech for public good.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that success isn’t a destination. It’s a commitment—to showing up, leading with integrity, and staying humble enough to learn, even when you’ve been to the top.
As I continue building, investing, and exploring new frontiers, I carry those lessons with me. And I hope, in some small way, my journey helps illuminate the path for others trying to do the same.