My Work & Journey
The spark notes version of how I got here and what the world has shown me along the way.
Scrappy Beginnings
I was one semester away from transferring to the Business Economics program at UCSB. Becoming an accountant seemed like the safe, stable choice. But with my required classes finished early, I chose to take a screenwriting class, indulging a secret yearning I had for filmmaking and creative storytelling. Fate intervened when I met a fellow student in that class - a former venture capitalist and Harvard MBA named Dave. He was building a startup and working on his feature-length Western script.
Throughout that semester, Dave saw the storyteller in me that I had hesitated to acknowledge. I recall an interesting moment clearly, sitting in a Barnes & Noble, Dave spoke with conviction, urging me to chase my dream. Inspired by his words and belief in me, I made a decision that would change my life. Instead of heading to UCSB, I stayed put, enrolling in digital media and filmmaking courses.
Dave wasn't just my mentor; he became a dear friend. His unorthodox life choices inspired me to take my own path. If not for him, the body of work showcased on this website might never have come to be.
This is me secretly nervous on the set of my first TV commercial.
My First Break
Just a year after our serendipitous meeting, Dave brought me on board his startup. My title? It's hard to pin down. I was a blend of a marketing assistant, digital media producer, director, and editor. My days were diverse and unpredictable. One day, I'd be immersed in writing and casting; the next, I'd be behind the camera or editing on iMovie.
The startup environment taught me the art of weaving storytelling into a business backdrop. One of the most gratifying moments was our first spec video crafted for investor pitching. I'll never forget Dave's beaming face as he walked into the office, a generous check in hand.
In Colombia, they refer to a shaman as Taita, a mark of deep respect, regarded as a custodian of deep wisdom of ancient knowledge.
Expanding Horizons
After two years of working together, Dave relocated to Texas, and we both started new life chapters. My professional journey was a whirlwind: producing, directing, and editing a vast array of media content for a diverse clientele. I took my experiences with Dave and his startup and starting working a wide range of local businesses, music labels, and startups to produce and direct short form videos, TV spots, music videos and short films, I honed the art of storytelling, working in a myriad of forms from inception to execution. My collaborations spanned industries - fashion, luxury real estate, wellness, consumer tech, and more.
Eventually I took my experiences and launched a creative content agency, which I ran for several years. However, a deeper yearning came. I embarked on a sabbatical, a voyage of self-discovery. My travels led me to an ashram in India and the lush jungles of Colombia, where I lived with a shaman and his kin. As cliche as it sounds, these adventures enriched my mind and spirit, granting me a revitalized creativity and a profound outlook on life.
Integrated & Interdisciplinary
Returning to the US, I picked up my work where I had left it, except now with more of an interdisciplinary lens. The scope of my work expanded into drafting marketing and branding initiatives, digital and social campaigns, brand identity, digital design, and creative strategy. In 2022, I co-founded a creative neuromarketing agency, in collaboration with a cognitive neuroscientist. Our mission was to merge strategies of creative branding and storytelling with cutting-edge neuromarketing insights to develop new communications frameworks. The efficacy of our approach was evident from the outset — our inaugural campaign transformed a mere $400 ad spend into a staggering $90,000 in revenue within a span of 45 days.
The year 2023 marked my return to my filmmaking roots. I began directing episodes for "The Shot Series" featured on the Tubi Network. Today, I channel my expertise into collaborating with a select group of entrepreneurs and startups, spearheading a diverse range of marketing and communications initiatives. Most of my work in 2023 and 2024 has been with boutique investment firms, with a focus on brand identity, digital strategy, and executive branding.
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”
Buckminster Fuller
Let’s Connect
-
Services
Clear direction, thoughtful strategy, and effective execution. I help you move from ideas to outcomes.
-
Insights
Ideas that matter, perspectives that challenge, and strategies that deliver clarity. Dive in and explore.
-
Contact
Have something on your mind? Let’s start the conversation and see where it takes us.