about Me

A blog about turning your crafts and creativity into a profitable business.

About Richard

Once upon a time: How it all started

I got my first computer in the 6th grade, an Apple II+. It was love at first sight. I was fascinated by how this machine could do so much and I started to explore everything it could do. Over the years, my interests in technology only grew and eventually led me to pursue a career in this field.

At the time, there were no resources available like the internet to help me figure out how to use my computer. I had to start figuring out technical stuff quite early on, through trial and error. But that only made me more determined to learn more and figure out how everything worked. I was motivated by my passion for technology and my desire to constantly learn and explore new things.

When I was in high school, I took a class in music theory. I really enjoyed it and decided that I wanted to learn how to play the piano. My parents bought me a digital piano and I started taking lessons. After a while, I got bored with playing the same songs over and over again, so I started looking into ways to make my own music. That’s when I discovered midi sequencers on Amiga 1000 computers.

Coffee. I forgot to mention coffee? Coffee gradually developed into a serious long-term interest for me, in the middle of it all.

Moving on: Life after school

After school, I had a variety of small jobs, including working at a piano store. Eventually, I ended up opening a small tabletop gaming store with my friends. We all loved playing games and wanted to share that passion with others. We were able to create a fun and welcoming environment for gamers of all levels. We were able to provide a great experience for our customers.

It was a great learning experience in budgeting, inventory management, basic marketing and customer relationship. We had to be careful with our spending, and make sure that we were ordering the right games and products to keep our customers happy. We also had to learn how to market our store and attract new customers. It was a great opportunity to learn about business and customer service.

A new era: Back to my first love

Eventually, I realized that I wanted to learn more about computers and technology. I decided to go back to school and study network management. This would allow me to learn about the underlying infrastructure of computers and networks. I would be able to understand how they work and how to troubleshoot them.

It was a great decision, and I was able to learn a lot about networking. I was also able to develop my skills in problem-solving and critical thinking. These skills have come in handy in my career as a technologist. I’m constantly using these skills to solve problems and figure out ways to improve my systems.

Corporate life: The fabled 9-5(ish)

I started my career in network management in telecom and industrial settings during the 2k IT bubble. This was a very exciting time, as the internet was growing rapidly and new technologies were emerging all the time. I was able to learn a lot about networking and systems administration during this time.

I eventually moved into banking IT management, where I’ve been for more than 20 years. I’ve been able to develop my skills and knowledge in this field, and I’ve been able to work on some really interesting projects.

I’ve been able to work on a wide variety of projects in my career, from network infrastructure upgrades to new system deployments and, technical agile team management. I’ve also been involved in many process improvement initiatives. I’m always looking for ways to improve my systems and make them more efficient and reliable.

Meanwhile: Creative endeavors

While I enjoy technology, the creative and artistic aspect of me that emerged during my early piano years has never left. What I adore is learning new skills and putting them to use in order to generate new opportunities and experiences.

Over the years, my love of learning new things has led me into a number of creative endeavors. I’ve released a private line of candles, created limited edition perfumes, done some sound design and collaborated on video productions.

One of my latest projects involved learning both Fusion360 and Rhino CAD software. CAD software is used to create digital models of objects. This can be anything from a simple sketch to a complex 3D model.

I decided to learn CAD software because I wanted to create my own silicone molds for candlemakers. I found a few courses that taught me how to use the software, and I was able to create some really cool designs.

Creating the jar mold was a lot of work, but it was worth it in the end. The candles jars turned out great. I’m already working on my next project and I can’t wait to see what comes out of it!

Each of these projects was a great opportunity to learn new skills and put them to use. I enjoyed the challenge of learning new things and using them in creative ways.

Now: Moving forward

I’m currently using my spare time to help people turn their craft and creative skills into profitable businesses. I’m doing this by providing advice and guidance on business planning, marketing, and customer service.

I’m really passionate about helping people succeed, and I believe that everyone has the potential to be a successful entrepreneur. I’m glad to be able to use my experiences to help people achieve their goals.