Born in the Midwest, growing up my grandmother was a talented china painter and I remember watching in amazement as she took a blank vase and adorned it with intricate flower designs. When I asked her how she got so good at painting she would say anything is possible with practice. I took that advice with me throughout my life. I relocated to San Francisco in 1998 and spent nearly 20 years in front-of-house positions within the restaurant industry. In 2006, I met my wonderful wife, and we made the move to Oakland in 2009. During the pandemic, I rekindled my passion for ceramics and built an art shed in our backyard, complete with a wheel and kiln. I transitioned out of the restaurant industry during this time and, drawing on my experience in construction with my dad, obtained my contractor's license. Now, I proudly own a construction company in Oakland, with aspirations of turning my ceramics hobby into a thriving business as well.