My Story

I was born in California, raised by two incredible parents who instilled in me a deep sense of love, family, and the power of community. My father, born in Hawaii, shared with us the spirit of aloha—a way of living rooted in compassion, respect, and connection. Those values shaped who I am and continue to guide how I live, lead, and create.

Christmas morning, 1986—I unwrapped a gift that would quietly shape the way I see the world: a Nintendo Entertainment System. I remember the moment vividly, not for the thrill of playing video games, but for the way those pixelated worlds and characters sparked my imagination. Even then, I was more drawn to the storytelling, the mythology, the immersive sense of place. It planted early seeds of curiosity around character, narrative, and the art of building worlds with meaning.

Around the same time, I delivered newspapers and saved every dollar to buy comic books—not just to read them, but to study them. I was captivated by the visual language, the art direction, the pure craft behind every frame. And every Sunday, like clockwork, my family and I gathered to watch the 49ers. At the time, it felt like ritual; in hindsight, it was training. Sports taught me about teamwork, rhythm, and the competitive edge that pushes people to excellence. Whether it was games, comics, or football, I wasn’t just absorbing culture—I was quietly learning how ideas come to life, how stories connect people, and how creativity and discipline work hand in hand.

In 1993, I bought my first skateboard—and in many ways, it changed everything. It became more than a way to move through the world; it was a form of expression, freedom, and identity. Through skateboarding, I found community, confidence, and a creative outlet that extended far beyond the pavement. It introduced me to a culture rich with music, fashion, and attitude—an ecosystem of style and storytelling that shaped how I saw myself and the world around me. It was through skateboarding that I first encountered Stüssy—a brand that didn’t just sell clothing, but radiated a feeling, a belief system. It was then that I first understood the emotional power of brand—and that realization still resonates with me today.

By 1997, I heard Wu-Tang Forever for the first time. It hit differently—bold, layered, and visionary. I had never experienced anything like it before, and almost 30 years later, I still haven’t. Wu-Tang expanded my creative consciousness and gave me permission to think bigger, weirder, and deeper. Their world-building, lyrical complexity, and cultural force were an evolutionary moment in my creative journey. Together, skateboarding and Wu-Tang didn’t just influence my taste—they helped shape my voice. They were early teachers in the art of culture-making.

It was a summer Thursday afternoon in San Francisco when I walked, unannounced and without an appointment, into a creative studio called Mekanism. I didn’t have a connection—I had a portfolio, a sense of purpose, and the hope that someone might give me a few minutes. As fate would have it, the President of the agency was sitting in the lobby. I asked if I could show my work to someone for feedback. He smiled and said, “Show me.” I shared three pieces, a bit of my story, and what I hoped to build—and right there, he offered me an unpaid internship. I said yes without hesitation. That moment—unexpected, bold, and generous—changed the trajectory of my life. I’ll always be grateful for the chance he took on me.

From that day forward, I was all in. I fell in love with the energy, the intensity, and the sheer possibility of the creative industry. Every late night, every breakthrough, every lesson—whether thrilling or humbling—helped shape who I’ve become. It taught me how to compete, how to collaborate, and how to grow. It also taught me that creativity isn’t just something you do—it’s something you live. Now, 16 years later, I’ve had the privilege to help build brands at some of the most respected agencies and studios in the world, alongside extraordinary talent. The journey has been wild, challenging, and deeply fulfilling—and I still love this work as much as I did on my very first day.

I’ve always carried big ambitions—some bold, some quietly persistent—but all rooted in a deep passion for design as a catalyst for growth. No matter the scale, my driving force has remained the same: to harness creativity and the power of brand to help businesses unlock their full potential.

Today, I work alongside brands and agencies as a collaborative creative partner—offering a rare blend of high-level strategic thinking and hands-on design direction. From brand identity and campaigns to integrated creative systems, I bring both clarity and craft to every touchpoint, helping ideas take shape and scale with purpose.