How I Got Started
I was raised outside Boston. My parents, both immigrants, worked so often I rarely saw them. We all lived in a 600 square foot apartment in Boston’s Weymouth neighborhood. We weren’t poor, but were by no means wealthy; we could afford the basic necessities and little else. From a young age, I always wanted to do and see more. I had an unshakable urge to go out and achieve, learn, and innovate. This was held back by the public school system. I’ve always been a quick learner, but I was also a questioner, always wanting to know the “how” and the “why,” which translated into restlessness. All throughout grade and middle school, I was constantly tested for learning disabilities or behavioral issues. My dislike of public schooling also resulted in low grades for many years, which my teachers and the people around me often chose to see as a reflection of my capabilities and worth. I learned from early on that one’s test scores and letter grades paint a very incomplete picture of the person themselves.
My parents, unsure of what to do or how to deal with my restive ambition, moved the family to a town nearby, one significantly more wealthy and with a better school system. I went from knowing very few people above the poverty line to hearing stories of exotic vacations, trust funds, and problems only those better off could have. It was at the beginning of high school when I realized I had to find myself, I had to stop looking for validation or reinforcement from anyone else. At this new school, I played sports (which helped with discipline) and discovered a love of learning. I have been an entrepreneur since 15, and with that revelation came my desire to make money.
When I was 18, I went to college at University of Rhode Island and studied finance. My area of study was secondary to me, though; I went to college for the connections. These connections lead me to work as a promoter for bars and clubs, garnered me useful contacts, and in almost no time I was making six figures. At this point, I decided that the traditional college experience wasn’t for me. I dropped out. My true passion was for business, so I moved to California. I was recruited by Aaron Katz to work at Bright Planet Solar, and worked as the coordinating head of their sales team. After a stint with Bright Planet, I got recruited by executives at Solar City where I joined and built the largest sales office on the east coast at the age of 20. Just weeks before a party where Elon Musk would be in attendance, I got the entrepreneurial itch and co-founded Sungrade with Aaron and Owen Gintis. We were your typical startup: couches, iPads, big dreams. Where we differed was in our drive and success; we expanded significantly just within the first year and are continuing to grow this very second. We have learned from the mistakes of our competitors, and strive everyday to make unique strides in the industry. What I love about Sungrade (aside from the people) is the challenges it presents.
The nature of the industry means that I cannot afford to stop growing, learning, or working.
My habit of questioning everything has carried over nicely into the professional world. I pride myself on an ability to suss out bullshit wherever it lies. I am also able to recognize genuine confidence in others, which in a negotiatory context is invaluable. The variety in my upbringing taught me how to be around and connect with any type of individual. I love to observe people, especially in a professional setting, and I’m able to go into any given deal or negotiation with an acute sense of my audience. It is because of my dedication and work ethic that I find myself in the fantastic position of working for and in a company that allows me to grow with it. I have nothing but confidence that myself and my team will continue to excel and mature.