MARCH 2, 2025

From the very beginning, execution was the core principle of my journey. I was initially focused on implementation, building with an idealistic vision, a dream that wasn’t yet grounded in reality. My early approach was heavily technical, centered on how to build, often missing the crucial why and what.

However, my journey began to evolve. I realized that a purely technical solution, focused solely on execution, was ultimately insignificant without a strong product-driven approach. This marked a shift in my thinking, moving me towards understanding the importance of a well-defined product that addresses real needs. This realization, though significant, was just one step in a longer, more profound transformation.

The next phase of my journey involved embracing a more pragmatic approach. Inspired by Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle, I started to question the why behind everything I was building. This involved a deliberate shift from solely focusing on the how of technical execution to deeply understanding the why – the underlying purpose and motivation.

Instead of starting with what or how, I began to prioritize the why. This wasn't just an abstract concept; it had tangible results. Like a trader shifting from technical analysis to fundamental analysis, I started to focus on the why of company growth. This new approach, centered on understanding the purpose, approach, and products of companies, led to my best year-over-year returns in trading, reaching seven figures.

This period of intellectual exploration was fueled by a deliberate effort to learn and grow. I set aside my technical "bibles"—my C/C++ books and "cracking the code interview" guides—and immersed myself in understanding the entrepreneurial mindset. I turned to books that explored different facets of building businesses and understanding markets.

Books like "Zero to Sold," "The Lean Startup," "Never Split the Difference," and "The Intelligent Investor" became my new guides. They represented a broadening of my knowledge base, moving beyond pure technology to encompass business strategy, negotiation, and value-driven thinking. This phase was about understanding the solution and the product within a larger business context.

My inspiration during this time came significantly from my childhood friend, Mat De Sousa. He exemplified this product-driven, people-centric approach. Mat’s business thrived not because of complex technology, but because he focused on solving real-world problems with simple tools, genuinely aiming to make people's lives better, easier, and more efficient. He showed me how to build a successful business by prioritizing the people it served and the challenges they faced.

Looking back, I realized that even this evolved approach, while more holistic, was still missing a critical element. While focusing on the why, how, and what of building and understanding markets, I had inadvertently overlooked something fundamental: the human aspect at the very core of it all.

This expanded Golden Circle image represents the final layer of my understanding. It starts from the core – Me and my aspirations, expanding outwards to include people, the challenges they face, the solutions we create, and finally, the products we build. It was the realization that the journey begins and ends with people.

The most significant realization, the one that truly bridged the gap to where I am today, was rediscovering the importance of the human element. Understanding people, their aspirations, and their daily lives became the foundation of everything. Years later, the realization struck me with the force of a truck. It was a moment of profound clarity: for too long, I had been lost in the pursuit of technical perfection. But I learned that what truly builds a company, or anything meaningful, is the people around you – not just coworkers, but friends, chance encounters, and everyone who shares their lives and dreams. This shift transformed me from someone trying to find problems to solve into someone actively listening and genuinely enjoying the process of creation and connection.

This realization led me to a conscious effort to reconnect with my own humanity. Two years ago, as mentioned in my second article, I actively sought to re-engage with the ACG (Anime, Comics, Games) subculture and specifically cosplay. This wasn't just a nostalgic return; it became a crucial part of my journey to rediscover the human element.

This image, a very personal 'Rewind,' encapsulates this transformative period. It's a testament to my journey as a cosplayer and photographer within the ACG community. Across 62 photoshoots and nearly 10,000 photos – a journey with 300 more real human connections than the previous year – each image represents a shared moment, a genuine interaction within this vibrant world.

What I experienced at events like Japan Expo and countless others wasn't just about elaborate costumes or fandom; it was about human connection. It was about witnessing firsthand the joy, creativity, and sense of belonging that this community fosters. It was in these moments, interacting with cosplayers, photographers, artists, and fellow enthusiasts, that the abstract concept of "human-centricity" transformed into a lived, felt reality. This immersion into the ACG world, documented in these photos, became a powerful catalyst in reshaping my perspective and reinforcing the central importance of the human element in everything I do.

What felt like a waste of time a decade ago is now what guides my vision and my actions. Overcoming professional stagnation, I’ve found a renewed sense of purpose and direction, all thanks to rediscovering the profound value of human connection and shared experiences within communities like the ACG world.