Top 40 under 40
Company/Title: atLarge, Inc., president; S2, co-founder; Le Cafe du Jardin, founder.
Education: A diversified education in biochemistry, geography and business, University of Michigan (in essence, I'm a college dropout).
Professional Achievements/Honors: While in college, I launched my first company and successfully parlayed the skills I developed into other ventures. Within the local scene, the greatest achievement I have had so far is in launching S2 with Kendall Jones.
Professional Goals: To keep adding to what I have learned over the years and to continue contributing to the community as much as I possibly can. My biggest passion is to have as much fun as possible in whatever I am doing and perhaps someday make it to medical school.
Mentor or Business Hero: Richard Branson , for his informal style and non-conformer attitude. My parents for their ability to constantly reinvent themselves regardless of what challenges they face.
Formula for Success: Make each chapter of your life an adventure. Surround yourself with rockstars. Move quickly. If you see an opportunity, think big, but keep it simple and act fast. Strive to innovate. Encourage controlled chaos. The results are often extraordinary. Try to learn from your failures and mistakes. Ars est celare artem.
Hometown: Preston, England
Place/Date of Birth: Great Britain, June 5
First Job: Outsourcing a paper delivery route to my younger brother and his friends.
Years on the Gulf Coast: One and a half
Motivation to come to Gulf Coast: Fate. A car accident brought me down here to recuperate with my family. I decided to stick around and see how much trouble I could get into.
What you love about Sarasota/Manatee: The wealth of opportunity that the area has to offer. The accessibility, the climate and the people - all the fundamentals for a great life.
What you'd love to change about Sarasota/Manatee: I'd love to see the attraction and retention of progressive companies within our community that can bring economic diversity to our real estate heavy economy. I'd like to see greater emphasis places on our local colleges and universities, in particular integrating student programs within existing local businesses. We are facing a brain drain. Each year, graduating students are looking further away for opportunities. Let's develop programs that offer opportunities to keep them here.
Marital Status/Family: Single
Community Involvement: Young Professionals Group board and developing the education core within the Ambassador Division. I was also involved in developing the Downtown After 5 series on Lemon Ave; president of the Towles Court Artist Association; chair-elect of the Sarasota Chamber Technology Committee.
Hours worked per week: 62
Hobbies: Traveling, progressive technologies, exploring languages.
Favorite Book: Good to Great by Jim Collins.
Book on Nightstand: "The 12 Bad Habits that Hold Good People Back," by James Waldroop, Ph.D and Timothy Butler, Ph.D. (I have lots of them).
Favorite Web Sites: news.google.com
Greatest Fear: Failing to have made a difference.
Describe yourself in one word or phrase: Shaken, not stirred.
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would....Go swimming with sharks over the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
If I had to do it all over again I would...Fail sooner (and get my degree first).