I didn't fully realize I could embrace my identity as a gay man until I discovered the power of storytelling, the power of being real. The realization that people do business with people, not brands, changed everything for me. I spent years filming other people's stories, helping them show the heart behind their business. But I wasn't showing mine and the day I finally did changed how I lead, how I sell and how I'm building a company that reflects who I really am.

It started in Long Beach, California. Every Wednesday, I used to film on the beach. It was peaceful, personal and the perfect setting to start something different. I set up a camera and hit record for a "Who Am I" video. Then I filmed an "It Gets Better" video. In the middle of talking about my journey, I nearly cried. That moment showed me how much I had been holding back. Then, it hit me: If I'm going to help brands tell their stories with honesty, I have to start by telling my own.

Before that moment, I kept my personal life mostly quiet. When people asked if I had a girlfriend or wife, I'd just smile and move on. I wasn't lying, but I also wasn't correcting them. Why should they care? Why should I? That's what I told myself. But what I've learned over time is that these little silences stack up. They build a wall between who you are and how you lead.

So in 2018, I made the decision to show up........

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