Various Startups • 2006 - 2012

Introduction

For about six years, I rode the startup rollercoaster, working with Ruby on Rails across numerous ventures in San Francisco and Los Angeles. This period was defined by intense work, adventurous living, and watching startup after startup ultimately fail despite our best engineering efforts.

Technical Projects

During this time, I built countless e-commerce platforms and online stores. One of my most ambitious projects was a game community management system in Newport Beach that aimed to compete with World of Warcraft's community software. These projects pushed the boundaries of what Ruby on Rails could accomplish at the time.

Startup Life

Worked crazy hours, often sleeping on beaches or in offices

Built e-commerce platforms and gaming community systems with Ruby on Rails

Spent nights surfing and driving to Big Bear to snowboard

Work Hard, Play Hard

This period embodied the 'Work Hard, Play Hard' ethos that defined early startup culture. I would code intensively for days, then recharge by surfing or making impromptu trips to Big Bear for snowboarding. The lifestyle was unsustainable but exhilarating—a formative experience that shaped my approach to work-life balance in later years.

Business Lessons

Perhaps the most valuable takeaway from these years was understanding that technical excellence alone doesn't ensure success. I witnessed firsthand how even the most brilliant engineering teams could fail if the business and marketing sides didn't get a break. This lesson in holistic business thinking has informed my approach to projects throughout my career.

While none of my stock options ever amounted to anything financially, the experiences, skills, and perspectives I gained during this period were invaluable. I had the time of my life, building my technical expertise while living an adventure that few developers get to experience.