SIDE NOTES
Welcome to Side Notes - a collection of essays, excerpts, and reflections shaped by two decades of building things from the ground up. These entries pull from the margins of business, creativity, reinvention, and everyday life. The parts we often overlook but always learn from.
You’ll find moments of humor, clarity, nostalgia, and insight. Whether it’s a chapter preview, an observation, or a personal truth dressed, everything here comes from a place of experience and curiosity
Soup, Salad & Business Strategy: Why I Can't Portion Food (or Workload) Correctly
It’s the weekend, which means it’s time for random thoughts. Today’s deep reflection? Why do I make enough soup to feed an entire rescue team and enough salad to deeply regret my life choices? If you've ever made an entire vat of soup when you meant to make two servings—or stored a sad, soggy bag of lettuce in the fridge knowing full well you’ll never eat it—this one’s for you.
And because I can’t help myself, yes—this somehow still ties back to business.
Why Do I Make My Cat Listen to "Sharin' the Night Together" by Dr. Hook 37 Times in a Row?
Why do I listen to the same song 37 times in a row? Maybe it’s stress, nostalgia, or my brain demanding a musical security blanket. Either way, my cat is suffering. But what does this weird habit have to do with creativity, burnout, and business? More than you think. Turns out, your brain clings to familiar loops during peak stress. Let’s unpack why we do this—and how to break the cycle when needed.
Burnout: The Office Christmas Party Hookup You Regret
You swore you’d pace yourself, but next thing you know, the drinks were flowing, Eddie from Accounting was looking weirdly good, and now you can’t walk past his desk without reliving your poor life choices. That’s burnout. It sneaks up on you the same way—seemingly harmless at first, until suddenly, you’re stuck in a commitment you can’t back out of, questioning every life decision that led you here.
Work Ethic: The Skill That Builds Everything (And Why It Matters)
The universe told me to take a break. My work ethic? She laughed, crossed her arms, and said, ‘That’s adorable—now get to work.’ This is what happens when you try to slow down after two decades of hustle—and why learning to balance ambition with rest is crucial.