The story about my first computer and how it changed my life…

In 1999, two years after arriving in the US, my parents managed to scrape together enough money to buy our first family computer.

It was close to 7 p.m. when we walked through the doors of Fry’s Electronics for the first time ever.

The store was completely deserted. A few salespeople walked around waiting to pounce on anyone coming through the door to buy something. We started wandering up and down the aisles. I can sense one salesperson tailing us and asking us if we need help. My parents didn’t speak much English, and I was in a daze. I couldn’t find the words to say anything, so I nodded, signaling, “No.”

I looked across the aisles and saw my parents checking prices to gauge what we could afford if anything. I hesitated to voice any opinion. I wanted to avoid burdening them because I knew about our limited budget. But inside, I nurtured a tiny hope that they’d choose something beyond what I’d dared to imagine.

They finally settled on a Compaq. Priced at $1500. Its pristine white frame and striking red logo on the monitor stood out. Its robust design, with a back extending about 6 inches and including a floppy disk drive and a CD-ROM drive, felt like a peek into the future.

Excitement and happiness were oozing out of me. As a young gun, I had no desire for video games or toys because I was aware of my parents’ financial constraints. And if I wanted to play video games, I had to go to a friend’s house.

It was in elementary school that I had my first encounter with a computer. From the moment our teacher introduced us to the computers in the library, I was hooked. The library became my sanctuary, not because of books but due to the allure of computers. Surfing the web became a hobby. Then, I started participating in timed typing challenges using a program called Mavis Beacon. I always sought an excuse to type and print instead of pen and paper. Those experiences sparked my love of technology. 26 years later, I have that same fire inside of me regarding anything tech-related.

In the eyes of many, being tech-savvy, athletic, and running around with street kids was an odd combination. But this was my world: technology, hip-hop music, soccer, and friendships.

A couple of years later, with the help of a friend, I assembled my own computer. Staring at it, I mused, “I wish this could be an ATM.” To which my friend replied, “For many, it already is. There are a lot of ways you can make money.”

That sentiment became my driving force. With my understanding of computers deepening, my curiosity expanded to software and eventually inspired my own IT service business at the age of 14. I was charging a modest $20/hr. I turned to Craigslist to offer my skills. Just three days in, I secured my first client.

That pivotal moment reshaped my perception of work and financial independence. And it was at that moment that I got a taste of entrepreneurship. It’s been steering my journey ever since.

I hope you enjoyed this mini-story about my beginnings. I wrote this to remind myself where it all started and how those crucial moments shaped my future. I had no grand plans or crazy inventions I wanted to pursue. But instead, I wanted to pursue something I found passion for. A path that was different from what my parents were doing.

They always told me and my sister “We came here to give you a better life and opportunity to create something for yourself and not work long hours like us”. I took that to heart. It was my mission to figure out how to do that.

Hopefully, you can find an ounce of passion for something you want to make your reality. Create your own journey.

Lesson: don’t overthink and over-plan your next move. Your next business. Start taking action steps. One foot in front of the other. Use curiosity as your guide as you embark on that journey. Ask questions. Ask for feedback. There is no shame in making mistakes. It’s all part of the learning process.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by to read my story.