a Story About a very strange dude...
When I was about 11 years old, I wanted to make better games for my Ti-86 calculator. So I learned Z80 assembly language and got to work. During this time, I discovered electronic music and the Rubik's Cube, and my life was forever changed. I learned how to solve the cube in under 18 seconds on average, which was in the unofficial top 10 of the world at that time (now it wouldn't even be close). I would listen to electronic music on my Grado headphones and code and cube all day while talking to like-minded people from around the world. Nerdy, I know, but it's the kind of person you're dealing with here. I was also an avid actor and consummate Simpsons fan, acting in my school's improv comedy troupe and performing for hundreds to thousands routinely. I also wrote a stage adaptation of the movie Hook, performing as the lead role for a packed house.
Arts, humor, technology, the future. These are the things that shape my world.
Forget Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, and Downton Abbey; I love thinking about the future - The Fifth Element, the Matrix, 2001, Blade Runner...
As a child, I instantly saw the world of possibilities—and the world of challenges—that new technology would bring. I was hooked.
I was hooked on the idea that we could find and create communities on the internet of people that didn't exist where we lived. I could share algorithms with a Dutch person and a South Korean person at the same time, without ever leaving my American home.
My life's work is at the intersection of the humanities (acting, speaking, writing, art, music...), technology (computers, the internet, social media...), and making money (marketing, entrepreneurship, eco-business).
Shortly after graduating from college, I watched Food, Inc. and Earthlings, and recognized that we need to tackle the challenges our planet is facing head-on.
My eclectic and weird background has made me uniquely suited to see the human element of technology. How technology and business can help us all express ourselves better and improve the world.
Today I help businesses that are making the world a better place with my digital marketing agency, Aloa LLC.
I amplify environmentally-friendly businesses and non-profits with my podcast. I work with people and companies that put the planet above profits. That's why I consider myself an "ethical marketer".
It's easy for people with a humorous slant to turn bitter and cynical—there are so many obvious things wrong with the world. But I've chosen to focus on the people, companies, and missions I believe in, rather than on what I don't like.
What's the common thread?
I have a love of bleeding-edge technology and how it relates to human expression, making money, and improving the planet.
Today?
I help people, companies, and non-profits level-up their creative expression through technology.
And I have over 20,000 enrollments on Udemy, with thousands of 5-star reviews.
Some Highlights of Weirdness:
After college I helped build one of the largest dance music blog start-ups in the world, growing a single SoundCloud account into six. We turned 3,000 into over 1,000,000 followers, becoming a multi-million-dollar start-up in the process.
I did improv comedy for 6 years, performing for hundreds of people monthly during the week, while DJing parties every weekend.
Worked at Armada Music in the Netherlands, record label of Armin van Buuren. Created numerous mix compilation albums and year mixes for Armada Music, including Armada Sunset Vol. 2.
Was a professional DJ for 13 years, touring around the world. Through my Udemy Courses, I've taught thousands and thousand of people how to DJ, some of whom are now releasing on Armada Music, Spinnin’ Records, Ultra, Revealed, and more.
Created a weekly radio DJ show with > 50k plays per episode.
One of the first to get serious about live streaming DJing, typically performing daily for over 20,000 observers with 40,000 fans/followers.
Audio engineered records for major artists in Asia and on labels like Warner, Sony Latin, Armada Music.
Started a digital marketing company in 2016, which has since taken an e-commerce client from the early start-up stage to over 8 figures of revenue.
Creator/host of the Beat the Often Path podcast - showcasing “unusual success stories”.
Public speaker and in-company trainer.