Beyond work
A life built around what matters.
There's more to life than the work we do, the things we create, or the goals we accomplish.
For me, some of the most meaningful moments happen away from a desk. They're found on a trail with my family, around a table sharing traditions, in quiet moments of faith, or while trying something new with the people I love.
I'm a husband, a dad, a person of faith, and someone who has always enjoyed exploring, learning, and making things. Those parts of my life aren't separate from who I am professionally. They're a big part of what shapes me.
Family
My greatest investment.
I'm married to my best friend, LeDawn, and together we're raising three boys.
Life with three boys brings plenty of noise, adventure, challenges, and opportunities to learn. Some of my favorite experiences are the simple ones: getting outside together, exploring somewhere new, building something, or watching the boys discover something for themselves.
One of the things I enjoy most about being a dad is seeing them develop confidence, discover their interests, and realize what they're capable of.
At the end of the day, the most important things I'm building aren't found in a business or a project. They're found at home.
Faith
Finding perspective.
My faith is an important part of who I am. It influences how I see people, how I approach challenges, and how I try to serve others.
I've found that some of the most meaningful moments of spiritual growth happen when life gets quiet enough to listen. Sometimes that's through scripture, sometimes through service, and sometimes in the middle of God's creation.
Faith reminds me that people matter more than productivity and that the best use of our abilities is often found in how we use them to help others.
The outdoors
A different kind of perspective.
I've always enjoyed being outside. Hiking, kayaking, exploring the mountains, and finding new places to experience with my family.
There's something about getting away from the usual routines, putting in a little effort, and experiencing something together that stays with you.
Taking my son on his first overnight backpacking trip to the Palisades Lakes.
Sharing those experiences, seeing the world through their eyes, and creating memories along the way are some of the things I value most.
The outdoors also has a way of putting things into perspective. It reminds me to slow down, appreciate what I've been given, and enjoy the journey rather than always focusing on the destination.
Heritage
Remembering where we come from.
My Swedish heritage is another part of my story.
My grandmother immigrated from Sweden when she was 21. Her journey and the traditions she carried with her have helped keep that connection to our family history alive.
I enjoy finding ways to preserve those traditions and pass them along to my own family. One example is celebrating St. Lucia Day, keeping a little piece of that heritage alive for the next generation.
That connection to my heritage has also found its way into something a little more unexpected: my personal brand.
My monogram is more than a combination of my initials. It's a custom mark inspired by two ancient runes from the Elder Futhark, an early runic alphabet associated with Germanic and Scandinavian history.
The first is Ansuz (ᚨ), traditionally associated in modern interpretations with wisdom, communication, and inspiration.
The second is Berkano (ᛒ), associated in modern interpretations with the birch tree, growth, renewal, and nurturing.
Together, these two symbols represent something meaningful to me: the exchange of knowledge and the development of people. One represents the sharing of ideas; the other represents the growth that can come from them.
There's also a subtle personal connection. The two runes are brought together to form an abstract representation of my initials, A and B.
I like that the mark brings together where I come from, who I am, and what I believe in. It reflects the balance between wisdom and growth, creativity and leadership, teaching and learning.
It's a small piece of my heritage woven into something that represents the person I'm continuing to become.
- ᚨ Ansuz
- Wisdom, communication, and inspiration. The sharing of ideas.
- ᛒ Berkano
- The birch tree, growth, renewal, and nurturing. The growth that comes from them.
More than what we build
I enjoy building businesses, developing teams, creating things, and figuring out how to make ideas work.
But those things aren't the destination.
I want to keep learning, keep exploring, help others discover what they're capable of, and make time for the people and experiences that matter most.
Because ultimately, the goal isn't just to build something meaningful.
It's to build a meaningful life.