Michael has been a Pregame member since 2016 — our first year!
What do you love about what you do?
I love making ideas real. Being part of the process that takes a vision, a dream, and actually puts a working version on your screen, in your hand — that never gets old.
What’s your advice to someone building their own business in your field?
Just start. Lots of folks I meet have a tendency to over plan. But you don’t really know what you are up against, and where the opportunity lies, until you get into the game. Yes, have a plan. Have an idea and a vision. But keep it simple to start and don’t let any of that stop you. The moment you start thinking, “I should just do a little more research…” is the moment you should probably just start.
What is your favorite part of being a Pregame member?
I love the community and the banter… Just knowing there are others who are in completely different businesses, yet facing such similar challenges, helps me keep my head on straight. And there is this funny thing that happens when you are working on someone else’s challenge: you start to hear yourself in a different way. And don’t even get me started on the accountability gains!
What are you listening to right now?
I’m currently listening to the neighbor’s leaf blower and a frantic second grade teacher on Zoom trying to maintain control of her class. That, and the How I Built This podcast with Guy Raz.
What’s one thing – either industry-related or not – you learned in the last month?
I learned how to mount a TV above a fireplace. I learned specifically about this tool called fish tape, that makes the job SO much easier. I wish I’d known about it sooner, you should have seen me trying to use a combination of electrical tape, string and magnets to get the wire strung behind the wall (don’t ask).
Who would you choose to switch places with for a day?
Any one of The Grand Tour (formerly Top Gear) presenters. I’ve watched them for years on their various wild adventures around the world and haven’t found many other shows that make me laugh out loud quite as hard. I can’t imagine a better life than traveling the world with a couple of your best friends driving insanely fast cars and poking fun at each other.
How do you define success?
Success for me is ‘getting there’ on your own terms. Whatever ‘getting there’ may mean to you, (and even if that keeps changing as you grow), when you do it the way you like, with people you like, there is nothing sweeter.
Got an app idea? Visit Michael’s company Germinate!
