In-Experience
When I look back at the early 2000s, I realise just how unprepared I truly was. I had a dream—big, bright, and alive—but no real plan, no roadmap, and honestly, very little understanding of what it would take. I was inexperienced, naïve, and just hoping things would fall into place. It felt more like daydreaming than an actual strategy.
Armed with nothing more than childhood ambition and years of inspiration, I thought that would’ve been enough to carry me. It wasn’t. Not even close.
Back then, the world was different. People who were known had a reason to be known—either talent or value. There were no instant celebrities, no algorithms placing random faces in front of millions. The internet was still figuring itself out, and the social platforms that dominate the world today either didn’t exist yet or barely mattered. The trends, the culture, the norms—it was all a different universe.
Off-Track
Eventually, life pulled me off my path. How that happened is its own story, one I’ll explore another time.
But in that “exile” away from my dreams, something unexpected happened: I gained experience. Real experience. From legal to technical to a deeper understanding of the industry I was trying to enter.
Watching other creators rise, fall, reinvent themselves, or disappear gave me perspective. It showed me possibilities, patterns, outcomes—almost like watching simulations unfold in real time. It taught me what not to do just as much as what’s possible.
I’m not claiming to be bulletproof or immune to failure, but I’m now far less likely to repeat certain mistakes—mine or anyone else’s.
Confidence and Relentless Dedication
Today, I’m ten times more capable and far more dangerous—in the best way. I have the confidence, the skill, and the clarity to pursue the things I once only dreamed about. My conviction is stronger than ever, and the limitations I used to see as walls are now just problems to solve.
Early Challenges and Evolution
Looking back, the methods and systems I started with were outdated, rigid, and honestly, destined to collapse. I was too inexperienced, too narrow in my thinking. If I had continued on that original path, I might’ve trapped myself in a corner I couldn’t escape.
The world was still evolving in this space, and I was evolving with it. Thankfully, the missteps and bad decisions taught me exactly what I needed to avoid.
I’m Glad I Failed Some Ventures
My environment at the time wasn’t built for creative ambition. Neither were the people around me. Some were uninterested, some opportunistic, and some actively damaging to the dreams I was trying to chase.
Those failed side-ventures—projects I poured myself into even though they weren’t my true dream—ended up being blessings. Losing them helped expose fake friendships, fake romances, fake partnerships, and people who were simply there for what they could take.
It was like removing benign tumours I didn’t realise were affecting me. Suddenly, I could function, think, and create properly.
Executing Dreams
Ideas are everywhere; dreams are easy. Execution is the real test. And back then, I simply couldn’t execute at the level needed to make anything a reality. Lack of confidence, lack of experience, lack of systems—it all contributed.
Now, with everything I’ve learned, the pieces finally make sense.
Working Out the Kinks
Those side-ventures also helped me work through issues that would’ve been disastrous if they had happened within my main venture. They let me experiment, fail, analyse, and adapt without destroying the larger dream.
They prepared me. They strengthened the foundation. They forced me to fine-tune everything—from process to mindset to strategy.
And I’m grateful I didn’t stray so far that I couldn’t come back. I’ve seen many people lose their way completely. I’m lucky I didn’t become one of them.
Now it feels like I left home intending to build a straw house, got lost for years, and returned with the knowledge, strength, and capability to build a city.
Almost as if I needed to lose my way… to truly find it.