The Art of Constant Reinvention: Lessons from a Seasoned Starter

Have you ever looked at your work and thought, "There has to be a better way"?

If so, you're not alone.

This thought has been the driving force behind my journey from a family business apprentice to a tech innovator.

This article breaks down how I've turned this simple statement into a life philosophy of constant reinvention.

Lesson 1: Embrace Change

I grew up in our family's building materials business.

I stocked inventory, keyed locks and learned a little about operations during the summers as a kid.

I joined the workforce working for my family business in 2008...when the housing market crashed. Good timing. 🤪

Suddenly, we faced a stark choice: change or die.

This crisis taught me a valuable lesson: the cheese always moves ¹.

When faced with change, you have three options:

• You can deny it's happening and cling to the past.
• You can recognize the change but resist it, complaining all the way.
• Or you can embrace the change, adapt quickly, and seize the new opportunities before others do.

In business and in life, change is the only constant.

The sooner you embrace this truth, the quicker you'll start seeing opportunities where others see obstacles.

Lesson 2: Build What You Need

As our business had to find new ways to adapt, I realized we needed better tools.

But instead of waiting for someone else to create them, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.

I taught myself to code and created software to streamline our operations.

I even built our company website from scratch using PHP.

I learned about long-tail Search Engine Optimization.

We went from selling to builders on credit for 2-3% margins to selling to home owners for cash at 30-50% margins (and still undersold Lowes and Home Depot by 50%!).

The takeaway? Don't wait for solutions to fall into your lap. If you need something that doesn't exist, build it yourself. If you don't know how to build it yourself, learn it². If you don't know what you need, start with what's not working.

Lesson 3: Mix It Up

Here's where my story takes an unexpected turn.

My degree isn't in business. It's not in computer science. It's in Environmental Science.

Most people are surprised when they find out. They can't see the "jump" from Environmental Science to creating software.

Studying ecosystems taught me how complex systems work together.

This knowledge turned out to be perfect for solving business puzzles.

The lesson? Don't underestimate the power of diverse knowledge. Combine unlikely skills. That's where true innovation happens.

The Secret Sauce: A Two-Step Loop

Over time, I've developed a mental loop that drives everything I do:

1. "There has to be a better way"
2. "What if...?"

This isn't about being restless or dissatisfied.

It's about always looking for ways to improve, to innovate, to do things better.

Try it yourself. Look at your work or your life. Find some piece of friction that irritates you. Next, ask yourself: "How can I make this better?" Then let your mind wander to "What if...?"

Becoming a "Seasoned Starter"

Through this process, I've become what I call a "Seasoned Starter."

I love tackling new problems with the skills I've gathered along the way.

My process looks like this:

1. Find a tough problem
2. Dream up a new solution
3. Make it happen
4. Create a system
5. Move on to the next challenge

Each round of this process makes you stronger, more adaptable, and more innovative.

The Balancing Act

Here's the real trick: you need to balance expert knowledge with beginner's curiosity.

Don't just focus on reaching goals. Master the art of starting fresh, of seeing old problems with new eyes.

The next time you face a challenge, ask yourself: "How would a rookie with 20 years of experience solve this?"

Falling in Love with Beginnings

We often talk about loving the journey, not just the destination.

But I want to take it a step further: fall in love with beginnings.

Progress isn't a straight line.

It's a series of new starts, each one building on the last.

Don't just accept change when it comes. Chase it. Seek it out. Ask yourself regularly: "How can I see this familiar situation with fresh eyes?"

Choose Your Battles

Life is full of problems. The key is to pick the ones worth solving.

Your unique mix of skills, experiences, and perspectives makes you the perfect person to solve specific challenges.

What problem were you born to solve?

Your Turn

Remember: Every expert started as a beginner. Every groundbreaking solution began with a simple "What if?"

Your journey of constant reinvention isn't just about personal growth.

It's about the value you bring to others, the problems you solve, the innovations you create.

So, I'll leave you with this question: What will you reimagine today?

The world is waiting for your "What if...?"