I style myself a pirate, not because I steal anything, but because life is better with a little fun in it.
I craft software. These days I'm focused on the coding side of software businesses. I spend most of my time in full stack development territory, but I try to remain agile in my attitude towards roles. Over my decade working in the Software industry, I've held several roles—Full Stack Developer, Business Analyst, Product Manager—and am willing to shuffle the hats I wear when need arises. JavaScript/TypeScript (all aboard the strongly typed JS train 🚂) are my gotos: React, Node.js, Express, Remix, Next.js—the works. I frequently ponder our systems of software development, wondering how we can do better. It's necessary that our systems result in overall business success, or our opportunity to build software through them will go away. I strive to be agile in principle instead of agile by hype.
I am seeking new seas. After an exciting couple of years being part of a team, in both software engineering and product management roles, growing a startup—I went from full-time employee #9 to and through an acquisition/merger. It's time for me to seek new seas. I'm in no rush and I'm casting a wide net. It may even be time to go back to school and get some extra letters added to my name. Whoever you are, if you have a lead on something you think might interest me please don't hesitate to , or request a 15 minute virtual meeting.
Now onto the full story...
I dread the dreary drudgery of dull repetition that so often plagues the day-in and day-out of a human's professional endeavors. So I decided to say f••k it and became a pirate. Despite the potential detriment the association to actual pirates' actions may bring me (or mine to theirs), I find the moniker a useful focal point to remind myself to never become mindlessly complicit in existing systems. So, even if my childhood self is slightly disappointed with me… No, I do not raid upon the high seas. And even if you, the reader, are slightly disappointed with me... No, I am not a source of technological thievery.
I do feel compelled to disclose a bit of the background behind this decision. I did indeed steal my pirate label. Some of my more formative professional (and personal) lessons came from a time I lent what skills I had to some self-styled pirates as they were getting a business off the ground. They inspired me and taught me so much that I straight up stole their pirate imagery. They likened themselves to pirates because they were unconcerned with the status quo. Rather they were seriously focused on doing things well even if that meant doing things vastly different. It's a lesson I hope never to forget. And so, with a brazen act of persona-crafting theft, I anointed myself piratematt. It is perhaps more accurate to say they were helping me get my sea legs, than I was helping them build their ship. I'll forever be grateful for those humans who started Habitry and welcomed me so openly.
My pirate moniker serves as a constant reminder. It's a constant reminder to always be a little silly and have a little joy. It is a constant reminder to be fearless when it comes to being and doing things differently. If there is a better way, take it. It is a constant reminder to look for a good ship with a good captain and a good crew. Money is a great enabler, but I am more interested in finding places, people, and environments that help me thrive.
Unsurprisingly to those who know me. I have opinions. A lot of them. (If you want me to, I'll even create one on the spot and defend it on the fly.) Granted I'm trying to reduce the volume with which I am prone to express them and the frequency with which I find myself holding them strongly, but throughout my prolific opinion having ability I'm beginning to find several common thoughts that drive the majority of my software opinions. You will find they align quite frequently with the writings of Ron Jeffries. This is a great example. Here are a few big ones:
I've now spent over a decade in the Software Industry. I started my career after four years at university attaining a BS in Computer Science with a concentration in "Software Development" and an additional specialization from the "Systems" program. Throughout the last decade I've held various roles. I've worked as a senior full-stack software developer, technical product manager, business analyst, and more! I've spent time working for myself and I've spent time salaried working for others. Perhaps most notably I've joined as SaaS startup as employee #9 and help grow the company to and through an acquisition. I enjoy mentoring and I prefer to work with/on self-organizing teams.
My most recent startup experience was an exciting couple of years programming as a Full-stack Developer at PactSafe—a legal technology company founded in Indianapolis. During this time, I transitioned into a Technical Product Manager role, which was shortly followed by an acquisition/merger with Ironclad. We all chose to stay, adding mere dozens to their ranks but within a few months we passed 200 full-time employees. A mere year later? We were pushing four or five hundred! It's quite something to think back and quite something to think back and remember when I first started working with the folks at PactSafe. I first joined at 20 hours a week during a self-employed stint and eventually became full-time employee number 9. It's crazy to think where we went in just a few short years. It was a wild ride and I miss many of the people I got to work with everyday, but the time came for me to seek new seas.
The frenzied pace of growing a startup coincided with a global pandemic and when it was time for me to seek new seas, I chose to take it quite slow and get a nice long bit of rest in. I spent the next year or so casually working on a few projects and taking what jobs naturally arose from my networks. That period of rest is now over and I'm hitting the high-seas full time again! While I suspect I'll return to salaried life eventually (my 401k will thank me for it), I'm currently a full-time consultant and freelance developer. I'm actively seeking analysis, product, and development work. I'm open to everything from full-stack software as a service builds to simple Shopify customization. Whenever I'm approaching a new client relationship, I am primarily concerned with making sure that, whatever work we're doing, there is benefit for all parties involved. If you think we might be a good fit, or want to connect me to someone within your network, please don't hesitate to , or request a 15 minute virtual meeting.
There is something to be said about a balance of sorts between creation and consumption. I too often find myself consuming too much and creating too little. I've tried various strategies over the years in an effort to tip the balance of my life towards creation. I have yet to find my secret sauce, but I haven't given up. If you're interested in my latest efforts I'm sure a little internet sleuthing could turn a few things up. If that fails there's always the direct approach .
