Today I will lay yet another friend to rest. I have had several close friends taken too soon due to their struggles with addiction. There is no pain I have ever witnessed like that of a parent burying their child. DO NOT let this become your story if you are struggling, DO NOT leave your loved ones in shambles, DO NOT tell me it is too hard to quit, DO NOT. The wake of destruction that has rolled through my life so many times with the tragic news that another friend is gone, that another dad, husband, son etc. will no longer fill their roles in their families lives has left a wound so deep it cannot be healed. The pain you are feeling is passed on ten fold to those that love you, that would do anything for you. IT IS NOT WORTH.

An entrepreneurial spirit has always been in my DNA. From the early days of stealing bits of code to customize Myspace pages for friends, family, and even rap legend Kool G Rap, to running Huckleberry, a poker club where I’ve organized events several times a month for years—my creativity has always found an outlet. Whether it’s my unflappable determination to refine my culinary skills, design the most unique poker tables, or push the limits of my craft, I’m always looking for the next challenge. Now, this space will serve as my new canvas—where I share both professional projects and the random creative pursuits that keep me inspired.