I joked with my wife yesterday that I am currently “self un-employed.”
(We both laughed nervously. She knows the drill, but a paycheck would be helpful.)
Since my tenure concluded as the first Chief Content Officer for the Money20/20 conferences in 2019, I have had the pleasure of serving as a senior advisor for a variety of exciting fintech event projects. For the most part, self-employment has treated me pretty well.
For 7 years, I’ve helped build Fintech South into one of the most important fintech gatherings in the Southeast and nationally. From it’s inception 3 years ago, Fintech Islands has brought the fintech world to the Caribbean with an exhilarating mix of business building and island culture. There have also been rewarding projects with Financial Health Network, Atlanta Blockchain Center, and others.
I’ve thrived creating space for learning, connection, and meaningful impact. That’s what moves me most about events—helping stories form, communities grow, and ideas spark action. And it’s allowed me the flexibility to make a good living doing work that I find meaningful and enjoyable.
But there are pivotal moments on my entrepreneurial journey where the projects come to an end, and the next ones have not yet begun. It’s an interesting place to be—without a confirmed next step, but buoyed by the past and the promise ahead. It’s both exhilarating and unnerving.
And so, here I am asking: what’s next?
- How will my journey continue with Fintech South and Fintech Islands events?
- Will I engage with a new client or partners to help design, launch and grow a new event—one that blends culture, inspiration, and fintech in a new format?
- Will I join forces with a global platform to elevate conversations at scale?
- Will I help build a fresh narrative in an emerging market—or perhaps craft something entirely unimagined yet deeply aligned with my purpose?
- Or maybe I’ll leverage my fintech experience and professional network to in an advisory or executive role outside of the event space?
It’s been my experience that embracing these moments with confidence and curiosity tends to lead to good things, and sometimes from unexpected places. These special moments of transition and transformation, having the freedom to explore a wide range of new opportunities, are truly a blessing.
We’re in the lab right now—and I’m having some great conversations and ideations about the next chapter, including the potential to write new stories in some familiar books.
Do you have an idea, a collaboration, or just want to explore what’s possible in the world of fintech, events, or community building? Give me a shout.
We make our own luck—and connecting the dots can be exhilarating.
Watch this space for what’s next!