Last month, I found myself in a situation where I was invited to DJ at a birthday party where I had absolutely no idea what music to put in my set. I couldn’t help but wonder if my usual music taste would fit the mood. I needed a way to ensure my playlist would be just right. That’s when I decided to build something that would help me—and others like me—navigate these musical uncertainties.

Life has a way of teaching us lessons when we least expect it, often through the experiences that touch us most deeply. I’ve been thinking about the importance of reciprocity in relationships—whether romantic or platonic. It’s something we all understand in theory, but it becomes much clearer when we experience the pain of unreciprocated kindness.

So I recently started working at Rocket.net, and it feels like a major turning point to me. When I first interviewed with Ben, Rocket.net’s CEO, I knew I was stepping into something different, but I had no idea just how different it would be. After spending years at various companies in the web hosting industry, each with its own approach, I can confidently say there’s nothing quite like Rocket.net.

Landing a dream job is a significant achievement in any career. For a time, I was fortunate enough to experience this, thriving and motivated in a role that seemed perfect. However, everything changed with the arrival of a new leader for the team, whose leadership style drastically altered the work environment.