I'm Andrew. Welcome!
I'm using my experience building software, teams, and companies to help you build the right thing, build the thing right, and make your customers wildly successful.
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My Background
I grew up in a small town in Missouri, fascinated by the digital world accessible through our 56k dial-up modem. As soon as we got internet access, I remember fiddling with tools that would allow me to create stuff. The ability to sit in front of a monitor and watch something go from "idea" to "reality" hooked me. After getting a business degree from Missouri Southern State University, I went on to the University of Central Florida to get my Masters Degree in Interactive Entertainment (a fancy phrase for video game development).
Professionally, I would work as a Game Designer at EA Sports in Orlando for a very short period of time before leaving the game industry and getting into digital product management at an education technology startup. That startup would get acquired by another startup, which would then go out of business 15 months later. My family would end up moving to Northern Virginia in September of 2015, where I'd take a job as a Product Manager at the DC location of Pivotal Labs. After two years, I moved on to run customer success at a DC-based startup building Alexa and Google Assistant apps, before moving BACK to Pivotal in a customer success role for our Mid-Atlantic customers.
While not my "day job," I spend a lot of energy teaching startups, founders, and small teams how to build better software. I've been fortunate to work as an instructor for two local programs, MACH37 and #Black Female Founders, where I conduct workshops and lectures on a variety of topics.
I've launched successful products and massive flops. I've worked with large Fortune 500 enterprises and one-person startups. I've led sessions for CTOs and interns, and I'm excited about sharing what I know to help EVERYONE build their tech-powered products and businesses.
Professionally, I would work as a Game Designer at EA Sports in Orlando for a very short period of time before leaving the game industry and getting into digital product management at an education technology startup. That startup would get acquired by another startup, which would then go out of business 15 months later. My family would end up moving to Northern Virginia in September of 2015, where I'd take a job as a Product Manager at the DC location of Pivotal Labs. After two years, I moved on to run customer success at a DC-based startup building Alexa and Google Assistant apps, before moving BACK to Pivotal in a customer success role for our Mid-Atlantic customers.
While not my "day job," I spend a lot of energy teaching startups, founders, and small teams how to build better software. I've been fortunate to work as an instructor for two local programs, MACH37 and #Black Female Founders, where I conduct workshops and lectures on a variety of topics.
I've launched successful products and massive flops. I've worked with large Fortune 500 enterprises and one-person startups. I've led sessions for CTOs and interns, and I'm excited about sharing what I know to help EVERYONE build their tech-powered products and businesses.
My Beliefs
Software is for Everyone
The software world is scary, and the startup world looks very uninviting for those "outside the valley." I'm from a small farm town in Missouri, so if I can do it, so can you! If you have the drive, the right mentality, and the right tools, you can build great software.
Lots of Little Steps Forward
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. The same is true for building your product or company. We'll focus on small, frequent steps that lets you deliver value to your customers quickly and frequently.
Hard, But Not Complicated
Building great products is not easy to do, but it doesn't have to be complex, convoluted, or confusing. There are well-worn patterns and philosophies that can make the process simpler, and we want to rely on those whenever possible.
Do What Works for You
I'm teaching things based on my own experiences. I'll make sure to explain *WHY* I'm doing the things I do, giving you the chance to come up with your own path if mine doesn't work in your specific scenario.
Some Random Info
My Funky Family
I live with my incredible wife, Rachel, and our two dogs. And my mother. And her two dogs. And my mother-in-law lives 30 minutes away, with her dog. And my brother-in-law lives 30 minutes away with his fiancée. We get together often to eat fantastic food.
Vidya Games
Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Google, Oculus, nVidia, Steam, you name it...if it plays games, I probably have it. There's nothing I enjoy more than a great single-player game. Video games provide me the escape that others may find in a great fiction book.
Sports & Such
I played 5 sports in high school, 2 sports in college, and still enjoy kicking a football around. Recently, I started playing beach volleyball with my wife and our friends. We've even played in a couple tournaments together! (Yes, that's me in the pic.)