As a young boy, I knew if I was going to talk during the Super Bowl, it better not be during the commercials. I didn't understand why, but I knew to put down my Franklin mini hockey stick when there was a break in play. I was enthralled by those ads. They were funny, they were sad– they were anything but dull. All the talk during the game was not who was winning the game, but who was winning the ad-meter. Such was life when you’re born into a family of Effie winning advertisers. 

From that age, I started concepting ideas for ads with my Dad. I think he even stole a few, but that’s neither here nor there. 

It’s part of what makes me, me. Here’s a few other things that played a role too… 

Born in New York. The real New York. 

My Mom wanted to name me Jesse, my Dad wanted to name me Tyler.  They went to a Blockbuster, parked outside, and if a man walked out I’d be Jesse, and if a woman walked out I’d be Tyler. You get the rest. 

Treat motivated– I was taught to skate by a family friend who strapped rollerblades to my chubby feet and held a chocolate covered pretzel in front of me shortly after I learned to walk. Fast forward to high school and I had the hardest slapshot east of the Mississippi. Don’t look that up, just take my word for it. 

Caught the nature bug early– I loved trees so much that at 6 years old I decided to ski into one as hard as I could. And I haven’t stopped since. 

That same bug took me to the University of Vermont where I studied English and Philosophy– hence my continued education.

Not wanting any handouts from my parents, and struggling to get any real traction finding a job after college, I decided to do something different. I took a page from Walden and agreed– I should learn how to build my own home. So I picked up a hammer. 

But before I could do that, I figured it would be good to learn from the experts. So I got a job with a crew. The boss said it would be nice to have someone on the team that hadn’t served time in jail. I learned painting, carpentry, and roofing in the 100 degree heat in Denver. Most importantly, I learned how to survive on my own. 

I’m not above anything and have the calluses to prove it. Will furnish upon request. 

A few months into removing popcorn ceilings with a respirator salvaged from WWII, I realized it was probably a good time to follow my heart into advertising before I lost all of my brain cells to asbestos poisoning. So I started looking into portfolio schools. 

Sure enough, the creme de la creme was right in my backyard– Denver Ad School. I got in, and so my obsession began. Is it lust, or is it love? I dunno, but I sure do enjoy the feeling of stringing a powerful set of words together. 

Anyhow, enough about me…