Since I was a child, I've always had an intuitive knack for building and designing things. Despite my father's disapproval of me using his tools, I found a way to pursue my passion. Back then, I didn't grasp the concept of "form follows function" or understand the word "applicable." It was simply a matter of "well, it's ugly, but it works." As the years went by, my motto evolved to "well, it plays."

During my college years, I started experimenting with ambitious and seemingly unattainable concepts. But when the opportunity and time presented themselves, I dove right in. Enduring long periods of trial and error, I held onto the unwavering belief that I would eventually figure it out. The turning point came between 2018 and 2020, a crucial period that led me down the path of engineering. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic further solidified my decision, following my experience working at Marruci Clubhouse in Missouri.

In those early days, I constructed everything using PVC or galvanized pipes (before the dreaded inflation took hold, thank goodness). However, it was through fortuitous encounters with welders that I discovered a new avenue. Additionally, an unsuspecting friend unknowingly became the catalyst for my next venture. It all began with a phone call I vividly remember. "Can you help me pick up a freezer from this estate sale?" We went to the sale, and I was instantly in heaven. The possibilities of what lay within that garage flooded my mind. It became a game of "yes, no, ooooooo, maybe, oh." We acquired the freezer and then headed to lunch, where I hatched a plan to create a lab solely by utilizing estate sales. I had a list of about eight items, and it took me roughly two weeks of traveling across Houston, forging connections, and surveying the landscape. Soon enough, I was welding and finally bringing to life the countless ideas that had been brewing in my mind since childhood. I also had the opportunity to make immediate improvements to the machines I had accumulated over the years.

Now, everything is snowballing into the establishment of my very own fabrication shop (although, no CNC). What used to take me a month to source and build now takes mere hours. This is all thanks to the three months I dedicated to clearing out garages and seizing the treasures within. People often comment, "Man, you really love picking up stuff that nobody else wants." Such remarks ignite a fire within me like nothing else.

Currently, I find myself on a path of refinement and honing my skills. I am truly blessed to have a plethora of mentors to choose from, but it still requires knowing exactly what I want.