Lessons from My Son’s Journey: A Reflection on Business & Life

This week, my son celebrated his 7th birthday—a milestone that made me pause and reflect. My son has ADHD and autism, and his journey has been one of resilience, learning, and constant growth—not just for him, but for me as well.

As a father, I’ve had to see the world through his eyes. As a CEO of Clipboard and Choosey, I’ve realized that the lessons he’s taught me shape the way I lead, build, and navigate the ever-evolving world of hospitality.

1. There’s Always More Than One Way to Look at a Problem

When my son faces challenges, I’ve learned to adapt my approach—if one way doesn’t work, we try another. The same applies to business.

📌 With Clipboard, we set out to connect the hospitality industry in ways it hadn’t been before—bridging the gaps between talent, businesses, and training providers. Some said networking and career growth in hospitality was fragmented beyond repair. Instead of seeing barriers, we saw an opportunity to reshape the way industry stakeholders connect and grow.

📌 Choosey is rethinking hospitality staffing—challenging the traditional approach to employment and making it easier for businesses and independent contractors to work together. There’s no single way to succeed, but by thinking differently, we can create new opportunities for everyone.

2. The Power of Routine

Routine gives my son stability and confidence. In business, it provides the structure needed for growth and consistency.

✅ With Clipboard, we’ve built a trusted global platform where hospitality professionals can consistently connect, upskill, and access new opportunities. ✅ With Choosey, we focus on delivering reliable staffing solutions so businesses can depend on a seamless experience.

Success isn’t just about big ideas—it’s about consistent execution.

3. Growth Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone

For my son, stepping into a crowded room for his birthday was a huge step. It was uncomfortable, but he did it—and he learned that he could.

As a founder, stepping into the unknown is part of the job.

💡 I remember the first time I pitched Clipboard on a global stage—a room full of investors, industry leaders, and people who could change the trajectory of our business. It was nerve-wracking. But like my son, I learned that real growth happens when you take that leap.

4. Patience Is Everything

If my son has taught me anything, it’s patience. Progress—whether in a child or in a business—takes time.

📌 Clipboard like most start ups, has been a grind. It took years of listening, refining, and evolving to create something that truly serves hospitality professionals. 📌 Choosey is still growing, and every step forward is a reminder that building something meaningful doesn’t happen instantly.

The key is to stay the course and trust the process.

5. Acceptance Is Key

For a long time, I focused on what my son "should" be doing instead of embracing who he is. The moment I let go of expectations, I became a better father.

The same applies to business. Accepting reality—whether it’s market conditions, challenges, or feedback—allows you to grow and adapt.

📌 In hospitality, change is constant. Rather than resisting it, Clipboard embraces it, ensuring that businesses, professionals, and educators have the tools to succeed in an industry that never stands still.

6. Adaptability Is Survival

No two days are the same for my son, and I’ve learned to embrace unpredictability. The same goes for startups.

📌 When we launched Clipboard, we thought our biggest impact would be creating the global network. But as we listened to industry needs, we expanded into marketing, networking, and talent solutions, helping businesses and professionals connect in ways they never could before. 📌 Choosey, too, is evolving—learning from the businesses and contractors who use it, so we can continuously improve and deliver a better staffing experience.

If you can’t adapt, you won’t survive.

7. Celebrate the Small Wins

For my son, sitting in front of a cake in a crowded room was a big deal. For many, it’s a small moment. But for him—and for us—it was huge.

Startups are no different. The big wins matter, but so do the small victories along the way.

✅ The first international partner on Clipboard felt like a massive breakthrough. ✅ The first business booking a shift on Choosey was a moment of validation. ✅ Every time a hospitality professional finds a new opportunity through our platforms, it reminds me why we do this.

Introducing Neurothreads

My wife and I started Neuro Threads because we wanted to bring awareness to neurodiversity from a parent’s perspective.

As parents of a neurodiverse child, we know firsthand the challenges, misconceptions, and emotions that come with the journey. We also know the strength, resilience, and incredible perspective that neurodiverse individuals bring to the world. Neuro Threads isn’t just a brand—it’s a movement to spark conversations, build awareness, and foster acceptance.

At its core, Neuro Threads is a side hustle—but one with real impact. Like many other side hustles, it started as a passion project, but it's growing into something much bigger. This is the power of side hustles—they allow you to take something personal and turn it into something that can create real change.

Whether you’re a founder, entrepreneur, parent, or someone passionate about making a difference, I’d love to connect. Let’s start more conversations about neurodiversity, business resilience, and the power of thinking differently.

👉 Check out Choosey App https://chooseyapp.com/?nav=landing

👉 Check out Clipboard Hospitality: https://www.clipboardhospo.com/

👉 Check out Neuro Threads: www.neurothreads.au 💬 Let’s connect and share experiences.

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