From Dial-Up to AI: My 35-Year Journey in Technology

APPLE SE Computer circa 1989

In 1989, I was living in Montreal, trying to send 15 pages of text over the internet. It took six hours. Six. Hours.

If you weren’t there, you can’t quite grasp the patience that took—or the thrill when it finally worked.

There was magic in watching information travel across unseen wires to someone, somewhere far away. That moment was more than a technical victory; it was a window into what was coming. I didn’t fully understand it then, but I was hooked.

By 1997 I was living in rural Vermont, my curiosity had turned into hands-on learning. I wanted to know how these machines worked, not just how to use them. So I learned how to build computers from scratch.

There was something deeply satisfying about piecing together a tower of parts—hearing the whir of a fan, seeing the boot-up screen for the first time—knowing I had made it work.

Those were also the days of road trips with my kids to Boston for computer shows. I’d pack the car and load it up with every computer part I could find.

While we were there, I’d sneak off to conferences, soaking up as much as I could about where this tech world was heading. I’ll never forget one session on how to build an app—back when we didn’t even have phones that could use apps. A room full of people trying to imagine what an “app” even was. Those were crazy, exciting days.

Then came 2000. Y2K was supposed to end the world, but for me, it opened one. I co-founded an Internet Service Provider from nothing. In a time when most people were still wondering why they needed “the internet,” we were connecting homes, businesses, and entire communities. It was exhilarating—equal parts problem-solving, innovation, and evangelism.

By 2004, I was in New York City, applying phone integration technology to the real, day‑to‑day operations of Fortune 50 companies and ambitious growing businesses. It wasn’t theory or gadgets—it was practical, high‑impact application.

We were taking complex systems and making them work together seamlessly, streamlining communication across departments, improving customer experiences, and driving measurable growth.

Watching these organizations unlock new levels of efficiency and success showed me exactly what technology could do when applied with purpose.

And over the years, that’s been my heartbeat: helping hundreds of businesses build their online profiles, showing them the “how-tos,” and teaching them that they can do it themselves.

I’ve seen technology take people from stuck to soaring, from invisible to impactful.

Fast forward to today, and I’m riding a whole new wave: augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence.

The possibilities we’re unlocking are breathtaking—immersive experiences, smarter systems, and tools that will redefine how we work, play, and connect.

But through all of it, one thing hasn’t changed: my love for technology, and my belief that it’s here to serve us—to make our lives better, our businesses stronger, and our communities more connected.

I’ve been on this journey for decades, and I can tell you: technology is always evolving, but its real power lies in how we use it.

And I’ll keep doing what I’ve always done—helping people harness it, understand it, and turn it into something transformative for their own lives and dreams.

If your business is ready to explore what AR, VR, and AI can do for you, let’s talk. 

The future isn’t coming—it’s already here.