In 1999, I pitched LA on interactive commerce integrated into entertainment. They said the technology didn't exist.

They were right. So I spent 26 years building the skills to execute when it did.

I learned business economics running Tou Lou Color Salon - 2 locations, 12 employees, real P&L. I learned community monetization in Atlanta's 90s bar scene, where people would skip rent to maintain belonging. I learned fashion's language working runway shows across luxury and emerging designers.

I learned about the entertainment world as a very stylish fly on the wall. I worked briefly as a television makeup artist. And I even got my picture in People Magazine. Jealous? You should be. All jokes aside, I honestly have always just picked what I wanted to do and did it.

Now I'm picking this. You're welcome.