One thing I am certain of is that success rarely happens in a straight line. I know this because I often look back at my own previous accomplishments.
- A fruitful career in formal journalism.
- Enshrinement in my alma mater’s Journalism Hall of Fame.
- Launching Orlando Tech News and landing support to sustain it.
None of those things happened in, as I said, a straight line. They all came after overcoming unforeseen obstacles and pushing when things looked grim.
But that’s where the appreciation of the journey comes from.
As I sit here, in the middle of another journey, trying to push Orlando Tech News to further success, I wanted to begin a tradition and, well, you can’t start a tradition without Year 1.
So, with that in mind, let’s kick off a new feature.
On this, the day after Thanksgiving, I present to you Orlando Tech News’ first-ever “10 Things We Are Thankful For,” in no particular order.
- We’ll start with the journey and the lessons I have learned along the way, which have made me a much better professional who is constantly evolving. Despite speaking with entrepreneurs for a decade who told me this, I still didn’t realize the extent to which you have to learn from mistakes as well as successes to build a business. The journey, of course, is not over. But I’m thankful that I’m learning along the way.
- All of our subscribers, sponsors, collaborators, without whom Orlando Tech News would be impossible and, frankly, might have meant a relocation back to Chicago. That’s not me being dramatic. It’s honesty.
- People in the community who continue to think big and believe in Orlando tech’s ability to be leaders in industry. I am plugged in to some dreamers and I cannot wait to help push some of those dreams. I’m excited for next year.
- My inner circle of informal advisers (I call them friends), who have helped me learn on the fly how to build the business side of my effort.
- The medical team at AdventHealth, who nursed me back to health after a scare in the early part of the summer of this year. Without them, well, I don’t even want to think about it.
- My family in the Chicago suburbs. As someone who comes from a family of 9-to-5ers (parents were more like midnight to 8 a.m.), it’s not easy to go out on your own. But part of my drive to push this entrepreneurial journey into success is to serve as an example to nieces and nephews that it’s OK to go your own way. I’m thankful for their unwavering support and their sometimes-tough-love form of advice.
- Location. Location. Location. Living in Orlando, I am at the nexus of so many technology-driven industries that lend themselves to making sure my storytelling journey is as interesting and diverse as it can be.
- I’m not sure where it came from but one thing I’m thankful for is my genuine curiosity about the world, which manifests itself in a number of content ideas, some of which will be unveiled in early 2025.
- Listen, no joke: I’m a sports geek and I am thankful for a diversion that takes my mind off of the bad days. As a former athlete from waaaay back, I am thankful my father and brother passed along their love of sports and competition to me. It manifests sometimes in my work but not in a damaging way.
- Finally, the last entry in my inaugural list of things I’m thankful for is technology. In 2025, nothing is impossible because technology puts it within reach. I have seen plenty of blogs, website, YouTube channels, etc., succeed and become life-changing income streams for so many and it’s great to be able to dream it but in a realistic way. Will that happen with one of my ventures? That remains to be seen but I’m thankful for the ability to dream because technology is the great equalizer.
So there you have it. The first-ever list of giving thanks.
I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. I hope to see you around!