How did JTD shape where you are today?

For me, childhood is almost synonymous with JTD. Growing up right up the street from campus, I walked to school every day, so it felt like more than just a school—it was an extension of home. Most of my formative experiences and core childhood memories took place there: gym parties, I See Sam books, the Fair, Carols, the sixth-grade play, the fourth-grade greenhouse, hiking in the canyon with Mr. Bartel, Junior Olympics, and learning to type in the computer lab with Ms. Fernandez… the list goes on.

The school and its community have been a constant in my life, far beyond my graduation at 12 years old. I’m the second of four siblings, and my parents had one or more of us enrolled at JTD from 1997 to 2020. Even now, when I drive by campus on my way to my childhood home, I feel a deep connection to both the physical place and the community.

I’ve noticed that I’m much more connected to and nostalgic about my elementary school compared to friends I’ve met later in life, and I attribute that to the deep value of tradition and community JTD instilled in me. Some of my closest friendships started there, and I’ve even had the honor of being in the wedding parties of two JTD classmates.

Tell us a little bit about your life after JTD

After JTD, I went to Harvard-Westlake, where I met my future cofounder in 7th grade, and then to the University of Pennsylvania. Upon graduating, I moved to New York City and began working in the hospitality industry, starting as Danny Meyer’s assistant at Union Square Hospitality Group. It was like diving headfirst into the deep end of the fast-paced world of restaurants.

I later had the opportunity to receive The Sam Beall Fellowship, which allowed me to travel around the country and train in both the front and back of house at some amazing restaurants and hotels like Blackberry Farm, The French Laundry, and Eleven Madison Park. This experience deepened my understanding of operations. That journey ultimately led me to co-found I Have This Friend with my best friend from Harvard-Westlake. Our company is like an Etsy for services, but we focus on featuring top emerging talent in areas like private chefs, florists, event planners, and photographers.

What is a day in the life of an entrepreneur?

This might sound cliché, but no two days are ever the same, and that’s what I love. I really value how dynamic the role is. We’re a small team, so I wear many hats. On any given day, I could be working with our engineer on building out our site, strategizing ways to improve our customer experience, vetting potential new creatives to join as vendors, or planning marketing events. Here are the three key skills every entrepreneur should embrace:

Three Key Skills for an Entrepreneur:

1. Personability – The ability to connect, empathize, and build genuine relationships is crucial, whether I'm interacting with clients, investors, collaborators, or my team.
2. Creativity – Creativity isn’t just about generating ideas—it’s about how you approach problem-solving and find innovative ways to move forward.
3. Resourcefulness – In the early stages of building a business, making the most of limited resources is key. You have to embrace a scrappy mindset and come up with creative solutions to push through challenges.

What is your favorite JTD Memory?

That’s a tough one because I genuinely have so many memories from JTD that make me smile, but one standout is when my grandpa would visit the school each year to teach my class about Chinese New Year. He’d bring traditional Chinese snacks and share stories about the holiday’s customs. It was such a special experience to introduce him to my classmates and share my school life with him.

What is your favorite JTD Tradition?

It’s a tie between the Candle Lighting Ceremony and the JTD Fair. The Candle Lighting Ceremony always felt so special—the atmosphere, the warmth, and, of course, eating the marshmallow at the end. Even as a kid, you could feel the importance of the moment. On the other hand, the Fair felt like pure magic. I remember being so giddy every year when the campus transformed for the Fair. I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced that level of excitement again in my life—I peaked early!