When you look at my life now—author, entrepreneur, father, husband, business owner—you might assume everything has been a straight, upward trajectory. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. My story is one of triumphs, mistakes, and valuable lessons learned along the way. If you’re struggling to find your path or wondering how to bounce back from rock bottom, I hope sharing my story will inspire you to believe in second chances and the power of resilience.
Kicking Off My Journey
At age 11, I became a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Martial arts taught me discipline, focus, and leadership, and at a young age, I took on the role of assistant instructor. By 13, I was juggling school and working full-time, driven by a relentless need to succeed.
But that pressure I put on myself came at a cost.
The Fall Before the Rise
At 16, I cracked under the weight of my self-imposed expectations and turned to marijuana and alcohol to cope. By 17, harder drugs like LSD and cocaine entered the picture. I quit school and, despite holding onto my job at the Martial Arts Academy, I was deeply lost. At 19, I overdosed.
It was the wake-up call I didn’t know I needed. Recovery wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Six months into being clean, I met my now-wife. We’ve been together for 21 years, and she’s been my unwavering anchor through life’s storms.
Finding My Groove—Through Music
At 16, I had started playing in bands, and music became my first real passion in and outside of addiction. It was more than a creative outlet; it taught me how to channel my energy productively and find purpose. Eventually, I transitioned from performing to owning my own independent record label, which marked the beginning of my entrepreneurial path.
My book, Artistry Unleashed, dives deep into this chapter of my life—sharing lessons from the intersection of creativity and business. Writing this book wasn’t just about chronicling my experiences; it was about helping others turn their artistic passions into sustainable, fulfilling careers.
From Mortgages to Meaning - The Beginning of My Personal Reinvention
When my daughter was born, I was craving stability and a career that kept me closer to home. Enter the mortgage industry in 2007. The following year, the financial crisis hit, and I quickly realized the role we were playing in a broken system. The more I understood about the harm caused by predatory lending practices, the more I knew it was time to walk away.
That’s when I found Rob and On The Spot Detailing, a business that aligned with my desire for integrity and purpose. Detailing wasn’t just about cleaning cars—it was about pride in doing a job well and creating something I could stand behind. Rob not only gave me a job, but he also gave my family a home.
Building Columbia Detailing—And Facing New Challenges
A few years later, we moved to Missouri so my wife could attend nursing school and be near her father. I took the leap and started my own detailing business, Columbia Detailing. Running the company for five years was an intense, rewarding experience that tested my entrepreneurial skills and deepened my commitment to family. But life threw me another curveball—a health crisis.
I was diagnosed with Anti-NMDA Auto-Immune Encephalitis, an illness that forced me to relearn how to walk, talk, read, and even eat. Needless to say, my focus shifted from growing a business to simply surviving. We moved back to Maryland for my recovery, and bit by bit, I rebuilt my life.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Looking back, every challenge I’ve faced has come with valuable lessons. Here are a few I hold close to my heart:
"You can’t read the label from inside the bottle." Take the time to listen to outside perspectives—you can’t solve every problem alone.
Failure is just a stepping stone. It’s not about avoiding failure but learning from it and getting back up.
Strength comes from how we handle weakness. We are not defined by our lowest points but by what we do in response.
Happiness isn’t about money or possessions. It’s about creating time to enjoy what really brings you joy with the people you care about most.
The Journey Continues
Today, as the CXO of On The Spot Detailing, the founder of ASC Consultants, and a published author, I’m fortunate to have built a life I’m proud of. But my most important roles are still husband and father. None of these accomplishments would matter without the balance and connection I’ve cultivated with my family.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s that no matter how far you fall, there’s always a way to climb back up. Life isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about getting up each day and giving it another shot.
To anyone reading this who feels overwhelmed or stuck, know this: your challenges don’t define you. It’s what you choose to do next that matters.
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