The New Year is here

As the new year begins, I have found myself reflecting on the past and considering how I can give back to the community that has supported me throughout my career. I started my journey in the tech industry in 2011 with a small tech company founded in a college dorm room. From the beginning, I have been committed to helping founders and building a strong network of connections in the industry. This year, I want to focus on paying it forward and giving back to the community that has always been there for me.

There are many ways to give back, and one that I am particularly excited about is mentoring startups and sharing my experiences with students and founders. I have had the opportunity to work closely with several early-stage founders in the past year, and it has been a hugely rewarding experience. I have learned so much from these founders and have been able to offer them guidance and support as they navigate the often challenging world of entrepreneurship. This year, I am planning to scale up my mentorship efforts, by speaking at events, hosting workshops, and offering my guidance to a wider group of individuals. I believe that sharing my experiences and knowledge with the next generation of founders can be an incredibly impactful way to give back to the tech community.

In addition to mentorship, I am also excited to get back to my roots in reading. I used to be an avid reader, consuming over 100 books a year at one point. But in recent years, I have allowed TV shows and streaming services to distract me from this passion. This year, I am determined to get back on track and aim to read at least 50 books, a mix of fiction and non-fiction. I find that reading is a great way to expand my knowledge and broaden my perspective, and I am looking forward to rediscovering this love in the coming year. You can find a list of the books I plan to read here.

Writing is another passion of mine, and I am excited to build on that by starting a blog and newsletter devoted to sharing knowledge and insights. I will be crowdsourcing topics and writing about the books I am reading, my travels, and more. I hope to create a digital garden where I can share my experiences and insights with others. Writing has always been a way for me to process my thoughts and ideas, and I am excited to have the opportunity to share these with a broader audience.

Overall, my goal for this year is to rebuild, revisit, and return to my roots and the places that have supported me. I have taken so much from the tech community over the years, and now it is time for me to give back and pay it forward. I believe that it truly does take a village to raise a startup, and I am committed to being an active member of that village and contributing to its growth and success. Whether through mentorship, reading, writing, or other forms of contribution, I am committed to making a positive impact in the startup community and beyond in the coming year.