[Applause] 208 million people it’s the approximate
208 million people it’s the approximate
208 million people it’s the approximate number of adults in the United States
number of adults in the United States
number of adults in the United States that regularly use the Internet it’s 84
that regularly use the Internet it’s 84
that regularly use the Internet it’s 84 percent of our adult population and that
percent of our adult population and that
percent of our adult population and that number jumps to a staggering 96 percent
number jumps to a staggering 96 percent
number jumps to a staggering 96 percent when you only consider young adults ages
when you only consider young adults ages
when you only consider young adults ages 18 to 29 now that’s just us census data
18 to 29 now that’s just us census data
18 to 29 now that’s just us census data it’s not that fascinating on its own but
it’s not that fascinating on its own but
it’s not that fascinating on its own but what it means is something profound what
what it means is something profound what
what it means is something profound what it shows is that we live in a time where
it shows is that we live in a time where
it shows is that we live in a time where each of us all of you have this almost
each of us all of you have this almost
each of us all of you have this almost infinite resource of information which
infinite resource of information which
infinite resource of information which is available at your fingertips
is available at your fingertips
is available at your fingertips and this is made even greater by the
and this is made even greater by the
and this is made even greater by the fact that it’s not just information its
fact that it’s not just information its
fact that it’s not just information its resources and opportunity to embrace
resources and opportunity to embrace
resources and opportunity to embrace technology and integrate it into your
technology and integrate it into your
technology and integrate it into your community good evening or afternoon if
community good evening or afternoon if
community good evening or afternoon if it’s your preference my name is Mason
it’s your preference my name is Mason
it’s your preference my name is Mason wildy I’m a sophomore studying computer
wildy I’m a sophomore studying computer
wildy I’m a sophomore studying computer science from the University of Kansas
science from the University of Kansas
science from the University of Kansas and I’m also the CEO and founder of the
and I’m also the CEO and founder of the
and I’m also the CEO and founder of the Castella company a small nonprofit that
Castella company a small nonprofit that
Castella company a small nonprofit that focuses on producing prosthetic devices
focuses on producing prosthetic devices
focuses on producing prosthetic devices for families in need I started this
for families in need I started this
for families in need I started this company back during my junior and senior
company back during my junior and senior
company back during my junior and senior years of high school after a series of
years of high school after a series of
years of high school after a series of both fortunate and unfortunate events
both fortunate and unfortunate events
both fortunate and unfortunate events and it’s really opened my eyes to the
and it’s really opened my eyes to the
and it’s really opened my eyes to the ways that you can use technology to
ways that you can use technology to
ways that you can use technology to improve your community and it’s also
improve your community and it’s also
improve your community and it’s also allowed me to grow as a person in ways
allowed me to grow as a person in ways
allowed me to grow as a person in ways that I would have never expected it’s
that I would have never expected it’s
that I would have never expected it’s let me lead it’s let me manage I’ve
let me lead it’s let me manage I’ve
let me lead it’s let me manage I’ve gotten an introduction to business and
gotten an introduction to business and
gotten an introduction to business and entrepreneurship I’ve gotten to
entrepreneurship I’ve gotten to
entrepreneurship I’ve gotten to communicate with people form
communicate with people form
communicate with people form interpersonal relationships and get that
interpersonal relationships and get that
interpersonal relationships and get that taste of engineering that I would have
taste of engineering that I would have
taste of engineering that I would have never gotten anyway else and it’s been a
never gotten anyway else and it’s been a
never gotten anyway else and it’s been a crazy ride but my experience isn’t
crazy ride but my experience isn’t
crazy ride but my experience isn’t unique
unique
unique there are hundreds if not thousands of
there are hundreds if not thousands of
there are hundreds if not thousands of people across this nation doing
people across this nation doing
people across this nation doing incredible things that would both humble
incredible things that would both humble
incredible things that would both humble and amaze to the best of us but their
and amaze to the best of us but their
and amaze to the best of us but their experiences don’t have to be unique
experiences don’t have to be unique
experiences don’t have to be unique either as I’ve already mentioned we
either as I’ve already mentioned we
either as I’ve already mentioned we already have these resources and these
already have these resources and these
already have these resources and these opportunities waiting at our fingertips
opportunities waiting at our fingertips
opportunities waiting at our fingertips we just need to tap into them and that
we just need to tap into them and that
we just need to tap into them and that that’s what I want to talk about tonight
that’s what I want to talk about tonight
that’s what I want to talk about tonight I want to tell my story I want to talk
I want to tell my story I want to talk
I want to tell my story I want to talk about how I went from being a sophomore
about how I went from being a sophomore
about how I went from being a sophomore junior senior in high school to a
junior senior in high school to a
junior senior in high school to a sophomore in college giving a TEDx
sophomore in college giving a TEDx
sophomore in college giving a TEDx speech but I want to focus on my
speech but I want to focus on my
speech but I want to focus on my failures I want to focus on the mistakes
failures I want to focus on the mistakes
failures I want to focus on the mistakes I made a long
I made a long
I made a long that journey and focus on what I learned
that journey and focus on what I learned
that journey and focus on what I learned so that I can give that out to you guys
so that I can give that out to you guys
so that I can give that out to you guys so maybe the things that I had to learn
so maybe the things that I had to learn
so maybe the things that I had to learn the hard way you can just take for
the hard way you can just take for
the hard way you can just take for granted and go out on your life so my
granted and go out on your life so my
granted and go out on your life so my story what is my story well for me it
story what is my story well for me it
story what is my story well for me it really began at a very young age because
really began at a very young age because
really began at a very young age because I’ve always been a tinkerer I’ve always
I’ve always been a tinkerer I’ve always
I’ve always been a tinkerer I’ve always had kind of that engineering heart
had kind of that engineering heart
had kind of that engineering heart I grew up fixing motorcycles and cars
I grew up fixing motorcycles and cars
I grew up fixing motorcycles and cars with my dad playing video games on my
with my dad playing video games on my
with my dad playing video games on my grandparents computer building Lego sets
grandparents computer building Lego sets
grandparents computer building Lego sets and disassembling furniture with tool
and disassembling furniture with tool
and disassembling furniture with tool kits that I was quickly restricted
kits that I was quickly restricted
kits that I was quickly restricted access to I’ve always been techie for
access to I’ve always been techie for
access to I’ve always been techie for lack of a better word but the spark that
lack of a better word but the spark that
lack of a better word but the spark that really moved me towards using technology
really moved me towards using technology
really moved me towards using technology to improve communities didn’t come
to improve communities didn’t come
to improve communities didn’t come actually until my junior year of high
actually until my junior year of high
actually until my junior year of high school during a Friday night football
school during a Friday night football
school during a Friday night football game of all places
game of all places
game of all places you see I played safety and if you’re
you see I played safety and if you’re
you see I played safety and if you’re familiar the job description of a safety
familiar the job description of a safety
familiar the job description of a safety is a lot of fast open field hits and
is a lot of fast open field hits and
is a lot of fast open field hits and I’ve given a lot of them and taken a lot
I’ve given a lot of them and taken a lot
I’ve given a lot of them and taken a lot of them in my career but one night in a
of them in my career but one night in a
of them in my career but one night in a mid-october during my junior year I gave
mid-october during my junior year I gave
mid-october during my junior year I gave one those hits and it did not agree with
one those hits and it did not agree with
one those hits and it did not agree with me and during halftime I was carted off
me and during halftime I was carted off
me and during halftime I was carted off to a hospital and quickly diagnosed with
to a hospital and quickly diagnosed with
to a hospital and quickly diagnosed with a pretty severe concussion that took me
a pretty severe concussion that took me
a pretty severe concussion that took me out of school for over a month and ended
out of school for over a month and ended
out of school for over a month and ended my contact sport career and initially
my contact sport career and initially
my contact sport career and initially this was devastating to me because I
this was devastating to me because I
this was devastating to me because I loved football I loved basketball and I
loved football I loved basketball and I
loved football I loved basketball and I could still run track but 2/3 of my
could still run track but 2/3 of my
could still run track but 2/3 of my athletic career were just cut they were
athletic career were just cut they were
athletic career were just cut they were gone now I was exceptionally lucky to
gone now I was exceptionally lucky to
gone now I was exceptionally lucky to find a wonderful concussion specialist
find a wonderful concussion specialist
find a wonderful concussion specialist and she’s out here somewhere but she
and she’s out here somewhere but she
and she’s out here somewhere but she helped me make amazing recovery within
helped me make amazing recovery within
helped me make amazing recovery within just the first two weeks I was regaining
just the first two weeks I was regaining
just the first two weeks I was regaining a lot of my basic function I still
a lot of my basic function I still
a lot of my basic function I still couldn’t do school though because of
couldn’t do school though because of
couldn’t do school though because of light and noise and just you know
light and noise and just you know
light and noise and just you know general mental straight strain so I was
general mental straight strain so I was
general mental straight strain so I was still confined to a dark room really
still confined to a dark room really
still confined to a dark room really just staring at a ceiling trying to
just staring at a ceiling trying to
just staring at a ceiling trying to sleep away the concussion it was really
sleep away the concussion it was really
sleep away the concussion it was really just a dark time but that’s when
just a dark time but that’s when
just a dark time but that’s when opportunity came knocking for me see one
opportunity came knocking for me see one
opportunity came knocking for me see one of my mother’s friends and co-workers
of my mother’s friends and co-workers
of my mother’s friends and co-workers had a son who’s born with a meiotic band
had a son who’s born with a meiotic band
had a son who’s born with a meiotic band syndrome which is if you’re familiar
syndrome which is if you’re familiar
syndrome which is if you’re familiar again is a congenital disease or
again is a congenital disease or
again is a congenital disease or disorder where you’re basically born
disorder where you’re basically born
disorder where you’re basically born potentially without parts of limbs in
potentially without parts of limbs in
potentially without parts of limbs in this case his right hands function was
this case his right hands function was
this case his right hands function was severe
severe
severe as he didn’t have essentially any
as he didn’t have essentially any
as he didn’t have essentially any fingers on it and he’d grown up very
fingers on it and he’d grown up very
fingers on it and he’d grown up very well adapted to this condition he was
well adapted to this condition he was
well adapted to this condition he was able to do a lot of things that no one
able to do a lot of things that no one
able to do a lot of things that no one would ever expect him to be able to do
would ever expect him to be able to do
would ever expect him to be able to do with that but there were still obstacles
with that but there were still obstacles
with that but there were still obstacles that he couldn’t overcome with
that he couldn’t overcome with
that he couldn’t overcome with essentially just one fully functional
essentially just one fully functional
essentially just one fully functional hand so they were looking for a
hand so they were looking for a
hand so they were looking for a prosthetic now prosthetics are really
prosthetic now prosthetics are really
prosthetic now prosthetics are really expensive I mean that’s just on the
expensive I mean that’s just on the
expensive I mean that’s just on the get-go and he’s a kid
get-go and he’s a kid
get-go and he’s a kid so he’s growing so you might need to buy
so he’s growing so you might need to buy
so he’s growing so you might need to buy more than one in the course of a couple
more than one in the course of a couple
more than one in the course of a couple years so suddenly that gets really
years so suddenly that gets really
years so suddenly that gets really expensive and it just wasn’t feasible
expensive and it just wasn’t feasible
expensive and it just wasn’t feasible and and on top of that that prosthetic
and and on top of that that prosthetic
and and on top of that that prosthetic devices don’t look cool and when you’re
devices don’t look cool and when you’re
devices don’t look cool and when you’re in elementary school cool is kind of
in elementary school cool is kind of
in elementary school cool is kind of King gotta be cool so they had found
King gotta be cool so they had found
King gotta be cool so they had found robohand which was an Australian company
robohand which was an Australian company
robohand which was an Australian company that was building an open-source 3d
that was building an open-source 3d
that was building an open-source 3d printable prosthetic hand and they loved
printable prosthetic hand and they loved
printable prosthetic hand and they loved it it looked kind of like Legos he
it it looked kind of like Legos he
it it looked kind of like Legos he really liked the look of it it was fully
really liked the look of it it was fully
really liked the look of it it was fully mechanical didn’t need electronics they
mechanical didn’t need electronics they
mechanical didn’t need electronics they wanted to get this hand the problem was
wanted to get this hand the problem was
wanted to get this hand the problem was that Robo hand was still a very small
that Robo hand was still a very small
that Robo hand was still a very small organization and most of the production
organization and most of the production
organization and most of the production in the u.s. at least was being done by
in the u.s. at least was being done by
in the u.s. at least was being done by third parties who also wanted a lot of
third parties who also wanted a lot of
third parties who also wanted a lot of money to build these hands but that’s
money to build these hands but that’s
money to build these hands but that’s where I came in I had a lot of newfound
where I came in I had a lot of newfound
where I came in I had a lot of newfound downtime and they knew me in the past
downtime and they knew me in the past
downtime and they knew me in the past from helping them with computer issues
from helping them with computer issues
from helping them with computer issues and video games with their other kids
and video games with their other kids
and video games with their other kids and they knew me as kind of that
and they knew me as kind of that
and they knew me as kind of that engineering type and this was right up
engineering type and this was right up
engineering type and this was right up my alley and with the beauty of
my alley and with the beauty of
my alley and with the beauty of open-source I could take these files and
open-source I could take these files and
open-source I could take these files and do whatever I wanted with them so I
do whatever I wanted with them so I
do whatever I wanted with them so I download the file that downloaded the
download the file that downloaded the
download the file that downloaded the programs that allowed you to edit these
programs that allowed you to edit these
programs that allowed you to edit these files and I modified them to fit the
files and I modified them to fit the
files and I modified them to fit the kids hand it took a week and a half of
kids hand it took a week and a half of
kids hand it took a week and a half of kind of 10 20 minute increments of work
kind of 10 20 minute increments of work
kind of 10 20 minute increments of work where I could just focus while my head
where I could just focus while my head
where I could just focus while my head was good take a break when I got tired
was good take a break when I got tired
was good take a break when I got tired and it was beautiful I was still taking
and it was beautiful I was still taking
and it was beautiful I was still taking my downtime I was still recovering but I
my downtime I was still recovering but I
my downtime I was still recovering but I was actually being able to do something
was actually being able to do something
was actually being able to do something so I got these files done I knew what I
so I got these files done I knew what I
so I got these files done I knew what I needed but now I needed to print them
needed but now I needed to print them
needed but now I needed to print them and I lived in Lewisburg Kansas which if
and I lived in Lewisburg Kansas which if
and I lived in Lewisburg Kansas which if you’re familiar with the areas kind of
you’re familiar with the areas kind of
you’re familiar with the areas kind of rural and where was I gonna find a 3d
rural and where was I gonna find a 3d
rural and where was I gonna find a 3d printer well it turns out the Johnson
printer well it turns out the Johnson
printer well it turns out the Johnson County Library has a makerspace with a
County Library has a makerspace with a
County Library has a makerspace with a public 3d printer just thirty minutes
public 3d printer just thirty minutes
public 3d printer just thirty minutes from my home you gotta go to your
from my home you gotta go to your
from my home you gotta go to your libraries they’re very understated but
libraries they’re very understated but
libraries they’re very understated but they were also a little bit ahead of me
they were also a little bit ahead of me
they were also a little bit ahead of me and realizing that embracing technology
and realizing that embracing technology
and realizing that embracing technology could improve communities so I gave him
could improve communities so I gave him
could improve communities so I gave him a call I went up there with a flashdrive
a call I went up there with a flashdrive
a call I went up there with a flashdrive of files and in basically no time I was
of files and in basically no time I was
of files and in basically no time I was leaving with a bag of PLA plastic hand
leaving with a bag of PLA plastic hand
leaving with a bag of PLA plastic hand parts
parts
parts it was way too simple but then I went to
it was way too simple but then I went to
it was way too simple but then I went to a hardware store I picked up some nuts
a hardware store I picked up some nuts
a hardware store I picked up some nuts and bolts ordered a sheet of orthopedic
and bolts ordered a sheet of orthopedic
and bolts ordered a sheet of orthopedic plastic which could be molded into a
plastic which could be molded into a
plastic which could be molded into a gauntlet some nylon strings for the
gauntlet some nylon strings for the
gauntlet some nylon strings for the mechanism and it was kind of just time
mechanism and it was kind of just time
mechanism and it was kind of just time to build and this seems like it should
to build and this seems like it should
to build and this seems like it should be one of the harder parts it was
be one of the harder parts it was
be one of the harder parts it was actually the easiest part because after
actually the easiest part because after
actually the easiest part because after staring at a set of designs for a week
staring at a set of designs for a week
staring at a set of designs for a week and a half
and a half
and a half you kind of know how they’re gonna fit
you kind of know how they’re gonna fit
you kind of know how they’re gonna fit together and it becomes a lot like Legos
together and it becomes a lot like Legos
together and it becomes a lot like Legos where you’re just kind of plugging them
where you’re just kind of plugging them
where you’re just kind of plugging them where you need they they need to go and
where you need they they need to go and
where you need they they need to go and within a couple hours we had a working
within a couple hours we had a working
within a couple hours we had a working hand and within probably five seconds of
hand and within probably five seconds of
hand and within probably five seconds of putting it on the kid was already
putting it on the kid was already
putting it on the kid was already grabbing a water bottle and using it and
grabbing a water bottle and using it and
grabbing a water bottle and using it and then he grabbed a pencil with learning
then he grabbed a pencil with learning
then he grabbed a pencil with learning to write with that and as I later
to write with that and as I later
to write with that and as I later learned he learned he could play
learned he learned he could play
learned he learned he could play stickball with it not holding a bat but
stickball with it not holding a bat but
stickball with it not holding a bat but actually using the hand as a bat which
actually using the hand as a bat which
actually using the hand as a bat which led to me needing to do some repairs in
led to me needing to do some repairs in
led to me needing to do some repairs in the near future but he was doing
the near future but he was doing
the near future but he was doing incredible things with it and it had all
incredible things with it and it had all
incredible things with it and it had all worked it was remarkably smooth and that
worked it was remarkably smooth and that
worked it was remarkably smooth and that was it project was done school was
was it project was done school was
was it project was done school was starting back up my medical clearance on
starting back up my medical clearance on
starting back up my medical clearance on my concussion was about to come up track
my concussion was about to come up track
my concussion was about to come up track season life was gonna go back to normal
season life was gonna go back to normal
season life was gonna go back to normal I’m up here talking to you guys so
I’m up here talking to you guys so
I’m up here talking to you guys so clearly that didn’t exactly happen life
clearly that didn’t exactly happen life
clearly that didn’t exactly happen life didn’t exactly go back to normal
didn’t exactly go back to normal
didn’t exactly go back to normal so I mentioned my concussion specialist
so I mentioned my concussion specialist
so I mentioned my concussion specialist she really loved that I was doing
she really loved that I was doing
she really loved that I was doing something with my time other than just
something with my time other than just
something with my time other than just sitting in a dark room staring at a
sitting in a dark room staring at a
sitting in a dark room staring at a feeling she loved that I was going out
feeling she loved that I was going out
feeling she loved that I was going out and doing something to help someone else
and doing something to help someone else
and doing something to help someone else with this downtime and she had formed a
with this downtime and she had formed a
with this downtime and she had formed a contact with a Kansas City Star reporter
contact with a Kansas City Star reporter
contact with a Kansas City Star reporter and that kind of let and that led to a
and that kind of let and that led to a
and that kind of let and that led to a front page article which then kind of
front page article which then kind of
front page article which then kind of procured coverage with KCTV 5 and Fox 4
procured coverage with KCTV 5 and Fox 4
procured coverage with KCTV 5 and Fox 4 News a bunch of online news articles
News a bunch of online news articles
News a bunch of online news articles picked up the story and it all
picked up the story and it all
picked up the story and it all culminated with two articles and
culminated with two articles and
culminated with two articles and separate editions of People magazine so
separate editions of People magazine so
separate editions of People magazine so this small project that I kind of just
this small project that I kind of just
this small project that I kind of just started on a whim with a concussion
started on a whim with a concussion
started on a whim with a concussion suddenly had become this very large
suddenly had become this very large
suddenly had become this very large thing that a lot of people were taking
thing that a lot of people were taking
thing that a lot of people were taking notice of and people were calling my
notice of and people were calling my
notice of and people were calling my school and they were sending letters
school and they were sending letters
school and they were sending letters because that’s the only way they knew
because that’s the only way they knew
because that’s the only way they knew how to contact me it mentioned that I
how to contact me it mentioned that I
how to contact me it mentioned that I was a student there and they were
was a student there and they were
was a student there and they were sending me money to help my cause I
sending me money to help my cause I
sending me money to help my cause I didn’t have a cause
didn’t have a cause
didn’t have a cause I was just thinking about track season
I was just thinking about track season
I was just thinking about track season so I could she realized that I needed to
so I could she realized that I needed to
so I could she realized that I needed to do something I couldn’t just keep going
do something I couldn’t just keep going
do something I couldn’t just keep going and maybe like okay I could have just
and maybe like okay I could have just
and maybe like okay I could have just pocketed the money and run they didn’t
pocketed the money and run they didn’t
pocketed the money and run they didn’t know me but that would have been the
know me but that would have been the
know me but that would have been the right thing to do so I had to think
right thing to do so I had to think
right thing to do so I had to think about how to formalize it and luckily
about how to formalize it and luckily
about how to formalize it and luckily one of my classmates mother was an
one of my classmates mother was an
one of my classmates mother was an accountant with some nonprofit
accountant with some nonprofit
accountant with some nonprofit experience so I contacted her and we
experience so I contacted her and we
experience so I contacted her and we started setting up a 501 C 3 textile
started setting up a 501 C 3 textile
started setting up a 501 C 3 textile company I wrote up all the bylaws the
company I wrote up all the bylaws the
company I wrote up all the bylaws the proper legalese and we got it approved
proper legalese and we got it approved
proper legalese and we got it approved so I all the sudden add up up 1 C 3
so I all the sudden add up up 1 C 3
so I all the sudden add up up 1 C 3 nonprofit Dec Stella Company and that’s
nonprofit Dec Stella Company and that’s
nonprofit Dec Stella Company and that’s really where I am today we’ve since
really where I am today we’ve since
really where I am today we’ve since purchased our own 3d printer and we help
purchased our own 3d printer and we help
purchased our own 3d printer and we help people as they come in it’s not some
people as they come in it’s not some
people as they come in it’s not some booming industry with thousands and
booming industry with thousands and
booming industry with thousands and thousands of customers every week or
thousands of customers every week or
thousands of customers every week or month it’s people as they come and
month it’s people as they come and
month it’s people as they come and oftentimes we don’t even need to build
oftentimes we don’t even need to build
oftentimes we don’t even need to build on the hand because we make it clear
on the hand because we make it clear
on the hand because we make it clear that they can build it themselves if we
that they can build it themselves if we
that they can build it themselves if we help them along the way and it’s been an
help them along the way and it’s been an
help them along the way and it’s been an amazing experience but what I just did
amazing experience but what I just did
amazing experience but what I just did was I only hit the highlights I only
was I only hit the highlights I only
was I only hit the highlights I only told you the good things and the smooth
told you the good things and the smooth
told you the good things and the smooth story board style of here’s how
story board style of here’s how
story board style of here’s how everything went well but there were a
everything went well but there were a
everything went well but there were a lot of pitfalls and during that
lot of pitfalls and during that
lot of pitfalls and during that especially the nonprofit side that get
especially the nonprofit side that get
especially the nonprofit side that get left out of the stories and don’t get
left out of the stories and don’t get
left out of the stories and don’t get told but I didn’t learn things from
told but I didn’t learn things from
told but I didn’t learn things from being successful in doing things I
being successful in doing things I
being successful in doing things I apparently already kind of knew how to
apparently already kind of knew how to
apparently already kind of knew how to do I learned things from when I made
do I learned things from when I made
do I learned things from when I made mistakes so that’s what I want to focus
mistakes so that’s what I want to focus
mistakes so that’s what I want to focus on and there were really two kind of
on and there were really two kind of
on and there were really two kind of categories of mistakes that I made that
categories of mistakes that I made that
categories of mistakes that I made that I’m gonna lump all of them into for the
I’m gonna lump all of them into for the
I’m gonna lump all of them into for the sake of time because it’s too many
sake of time because it’s too many
sake of time because it’s too many mistakes to count the first of which was
mistakes to count the first of which was
mistakes to count the first of which was that I bit off more than I could chew
that I bit off more than I could chew
that I bit off more than I could chew I’m only one person
I’m only one person
I’m only one person and it’s something that’s easy to forget
and it’s something that’s easy to forget
and it’s something that’s easy to forget but you can’t do everything and I was
but you can’t do everything and I was
but you can’t do everything and I was trying to run track get prepared for
trying to run track get prepared for
trying to run track get prepared for prom college applications general high
prom college applications general high
prom college applications general high school life and all of a sudden now I
school life and all of a sudden now I
school life and all of a sudden now I owned a non-profit and I was trying to
owned a non-profit and I was trying to
owned a non-profit and I was trying to build a website file tax documents and
build a website file tax documents and
build a website file tax documents and just mark it and build hands I was
just mark it and build hands I was
just mark it and build hands I was spreading myself really thin and I
spreading myself really thin and I
spreading myself really thin and I quickly realized that I was running two
quickly realized that I was running two
quickly realized that I was running two days where there would be five things to
days where there would be five things to
days where there would be five things to do and if I really set my mind to it I
do and if I really set my mind to it I
do and if I really set my mind to it I probably could have done three or four
probably could have done three or four
probably could have done three or four of them but just the fact that there
of them but just the fact that there
of them but just the fact that there were five looming on the horizon
were five looming on the horizon
were five looming on the horizon intimidated me and I’d only get one or
intimidated me and I’d only get one or
intimidated me and I’d only get one or two done my efficiency was dropping
two done my efficiency was dropping
two done my efficiency was dropping drastically just because of the sheer
drastically just because of the sheer
drastically just because of the sheer load
load
load work I had to do so I quickly remedied
work I had to do so I quickly remedied
work I had to do so I quickly remedied this by enlisting people that knew more
this by enlisting people that knew more
this by enlisting people that knew more about the fields I did I had a web
about the fields I did I had a web
about the fields I did I had a web developer help me was a website and I
developer help me was a website and I
developer help me was a website and I kept my account and friend working on
kept my account and friend working on
kept my account and friend working on the taxes and business side of things so
the taxes and business side of things so
the taxes and business side of things so that I could focus more on my school
that I could focus more on my school
that I could focus more on my school life and the actual I guess engineering
life and the actual I guess engineering
life and the actual I guess engineering side of these hands and it worked
side of these hands and it worked
side of these hands and it worked beautifully it quickly adapted to a
beautifully it quickly adapted to a
beautifully it quickly adapted to a point where I actually could handle it
point where I actually could handle it
point where I actually could handle it so I kind of rectified that mistake but
so I kind of rectified that mistake but
so I kind of rectified that mistake but it was still a mistake that had a lot of
it was still a mistake that had a lot of
it was still a mistake that had a lot of impact early on the second mistake I
impact early on the second mistake I
impact early on the second mistake I made was that I overestimated my market
made was that I overestimated my market
made was that I overestimated my market you see when I was getting all these
you see when I was getting all these
you see when I was getting all these letters these calls all this publication
letters these calls all this publication
letters these calls all this publication it seemed like this was this really big
it seemed like this was this really big
it seemed like this was this really big experience and that a lot of people care
experience and that a lot of people care
experience and that a lot of people care and this was going to be big so I formed
and this was going to be big so I formed
and this was going to be big so I formed the nonprofit and I’m initially kind of
the nonprofit and I’m initially kind of
the nonprofit and I’m initially kind of thought hey this should be growing
thought hey this should be growing
thought hey this should be growing really quickly this should be a big
really quickly this should be a big
really quickly this should be a big thing really quickly but that wasn’t a
thing really quickly but that wasn’t a
thing really quickly but that wasn’t a case I kind of forgot that I was dealing
case I kind of forgot that I was dealing
case I kind of forgot that I was dealing in a really niche market of people that
in a really niche market of people that
in a really niche market of people that needed essentially one specific 3d
needed essentially one specific 3d
needed essentially one specific 3d printable prosthetic hand that really
printable prosthetic hand that really
printable prosthetic hand that really didn’t have that big of a market so
didn’t have that big of a market so
didn’t have that big of a market so initially I kind of it hit me in my own
initially I kind of it hit me in my own
initially I kind of it hit me in my own ego I thought I was doing something
ego I thought I was doing something
ego I thought I was doing something wrong I thought this wasn’t growing
wrong I thought this wasn’t growing
wrong I thought this wasn’t growing quick what am I doing wrong and it hurt
quick what am I doing wrong and it hurt
quick what am I doing wrong and it hurt my morale and I wasn’t doing as well
my morale and I wasn’t doing as well
my morale and I wasn’t doing as well again my efficiency dropped because does
again my efficiency dropped because does
again my efficiency dropped because does this even matter why am I even doing
this even matter why am I even doing
this even matter why am I even doing this and no one seems to be caring about
this and no one seems to be caring about
this and no one seems to be caring about it but once I kind of got past that and
it but once I kind of got past that and
it but once I kind of got past that and realized you know what I’m helping the
realized you know what I’m helping the
realized you know what I’m helping the people that I helped and if we could
people that I helped and if we could
people that I helped and if we could live in a world where people didn’t need
live in a world where people didn’t need
live in a world where people didn’t need prosthetics I’d go out of business but
prosthetics I’d go out of business but
prosthetics I’d go out of business but that would be a better world so I had to
that would be a better world so I had to
that would be a better world so I had to get past that and I did and it
get past that and I did and it
get past that and I did and it ultimately went it well apparently so
ultimately went it well apparently so
ultimately went it well apparently so those were my mistakes and I kind of
those were my mistakes and I kind of
those were my mistakes and I kind of gained what I would consider three
gained what I would consider three
gained what I would consider three pieces of knowledge from them and a lot
pieces of knowledge from them and a lot
pieces of knowledge from them and a lot of them have been things that you’ve
of them have been things that you’ve
of them have been things that you’ve probably heard before but I like to
probably heard before but I like to
probably heard before but I like to restate it because these are important
restate it because these are important
restate it because these are important things that I learned from it and that
things that I learned from it and that
things that I learned from it and that you need to remember if you try to do
you need to remember if you try to do
you need to remember if you try to do something similar or just apply to your
something similar or just apply to your
something similar or just apply to your general life the first of which is to
general life the first of which is to
general life the first of which is to know your limits you see I’ve always
know your limits you see I’ve always
know your limits you see I’ve always lived by a mantra of kind of pushing my
lived by a mantra of kind of pushing my
lived by a mantra of kind of pushing my limits and I love that saying push your
limits and I love that saying push your
limits and I love that saying push your limits shoot for the stars but a lot of
limits shoot for the stars but a lot of
limits shoot for the stars but a lot of people interpret that to mean ignore
people interpret that to mean ignore
people interpret that to mean ignore your limits or act like they don’t exist
your limits or act like they don’t exist
your limits or act like they don’t exist and the analogy I’ll use is running
and the analogy I’ll use is running
and the analogy I’ll use is running because I’m a runner and that’s easy to
because I’m a runner and that’s easy to
because I’m a runner and that’s easy to go to for me but I can’t run a
go to for me but I can’t run a
go to for me but I can’t run a four-minute mile I can’t do it I can
four-minute mile I can’t do it I can
four-minute mile I can’t do it I can maybe run a seven-minute mile on a good
maybe run a seven-minute mile on a good
maybe run a seven-minute mile on a good day so if I went outside right now and
day so if I went outside right now and
day so if I went outside right now and tried to run a four-minute
tried to run a four-minute
tried to run a four-minute I’ll put on some running shoes hopefully
I’ll put on some running shoes hopefully
I’ll put on some running shoes hopefully I would fail miserably I would get about
I would fail miserably I would get about
I would fail miserably I would get about half a mile in at a full sprint and then
half a mile in at a full sprint and then
half a mile in at a full sprint and then collapse and crawl the rest of the way
collapse and crawl the rest of the way
collapse and crawl the rest of the way and probably end up running a 9 or a
and probably end up running a 9 or a
and probably end up running a 9 or a 10-minute mile if I just started on pace
10-minute mile if I just started on pace
10-minute mile if I just started on pace for my 7 I would have run a 7 because I
for my 7 I would have run a 7 because I
for my 7 I would have run a 7 because I ignored my limit I did poorer in the
ignored my limit I did poorer in the
ignored my limit I did poorer in the long run now if I know my limit and I
long run now if I know my limit and I
long run now if I know my limit and I train intelligently I can go from a 7 to
train intelligently I can go from a 7 to
train intelligently I can go from a 7 to a 650 to a 645 whittle that down and
a 650 to a 645 whittle that down and
a 650 to a 645 whittle that down and suddenly now maybe my limits of
suddenly now maybe my limits of
suddenly now maybe my limits of four-minute mile but if I just go out
four-minute mile but if I just go out
four-minute mile but if I just go out and run for minute miles over and over
and run for minute miles over and over
and run for minute miles over and over again and keep collapsing I might get
again and keep collapsing I might get
again and keep collapsing I might get there eventually but it’s not going to
there eventually but it’s not going to
there eventually but it’s not going to be nearly as quickly so you gotta know
be nearly as quickly so you gotta know
be nearly as quickly so you gotta know your limits and you got to train
your limits and you got to train
your limits and you got to train effectively with that knowledge the
effectively with that knowledge the
effectively with that knowledge the second piece of knowledge I guess would
second piece of knowledge I guess would
second piece of knowledge I guess would be to do your research and this ties
be to do your research and this ties
be to do your research and this ties directly into my over estimation of my
directly into my over estimation of my
directly into my over estimation of my market had I gone in and done my
market had I gone in and done my
market had I gone in and done my research and known everything I wouldn’t
research and known everything I wouldn’t
research and known everything I wouldn’t have been so blindsided by the fact that
have been so blindsided by the fact that
have been so blindsided by the fact that I wasn’t as big as I thought I was going
I wasn’t as big as I thought I was going
I wasn’t as big as I thought I was going to be if you go in blind you’re
to be if you go in blind you’re
to be if you go in blind you’re obviously going to be blindsided because
obviously going to be blindsided because
obviously going to be blindsided because all of your sides are blind but you got
all of your sides are blind but you got
all of your sides are blind but you got to do something
to do something
to do something beforehand to have a lay of the land
beforehand to have a lay of the land
beforehand to have a lay of the land before you go in another analogy would
before you go in another analogy would
before you go in another analogy would be as a computer science guy I’ll go to
be as a computer science guy I’ll go to
be as a computer science guy I’ll go to apps if I built an app that took the
apps if I built an app that took the
apps if I built an app that took the current date added up all the numerical
current date added up all the numerical
current date added up all the numerical values and then printed the square root
values and then printed the square root
values and then printed the square root of those that’s kind of cool shows I can
of those that’s kind of cool shows I can
of those that’s kind of cool shows I can build an app it’s kind of gimmicky but I
build an app it’s kind of gimmicky but I
build an app it’s kind of gimmicky but I made it let’s say it took me a week did
made it let’s say it took me a week did
made it let’s say it took me a week did that help anyone if I did that with the
that help anyone if I did that with the
that help anyone if I did that with the intent to help a lot of people what it
intent to help a lot of people what it
intent to help a lot of people what it and the answer is probably no and that’s
and the answer is probably no and that’s
and the answer is probably no and that’s obviously a kind of an arbitrary simple
obviously a kind of an arbitrary simple
obviously a kind of an arbitrary simple example but if you go into something and
example but if you go into something and
example but if you go into something and you think you’re gonna help thousands of
you think you’re gonna help thousands of
you think you’re gonna help thousands of people and you don’t do your research
people and you don’t do your research
people and you don’t do your research and realize that it’s already done it’s
and realize that it’s already done it’s
and realize that it’s already done it’s done a better way somewhere else
done a better way somewhere else
done a better way somewhere else you could effectively waste a lot of
you could effectively waste a lot of
you could effectively waste a lot of time on an endeavor that you could have
time on an endeavor that you could have
time on an endeavor that you could have had better efficiency by putting your
had better efficiency by putting your
had better efficiency by putting your effort into another area and had a lot
effort into another area and had a lot
effort into another area and had a lot better results so you got to do your
better results so you got to do your
better results so you got to do your research first now both of those pieces
research first now both of those pieces
research first now both of those pieces of information tied directly to my
of information tied directly to my
of information tied directly to my mistakes they obviously would have if I
mistakes they obviously would have if I
mistakes they obviously would have if I had taken that advice of myself and
had taken that advice of myself and
had taken that advice of myself and applied it earlier I wouldn’t have had
applied it earlier I wouldn’t have had
applied it earlier I wouldn’t have had those two mistakes most likely the third
those two mistakes most likely the third
those two mistakes most likely the third one is probably my most cliche piece of
one is probably my most cliche piece of
one is probably my most cliche piece of information but it’s also the most
information but it’s also the most
information but it’s also the most important and
important and
important and applicable to everyday life and it’s to
applicable to everyday life and it’s to
applicable to everyday life and it’s to have fun I know it’s it’s cheesy
have fun I know it’s it’s cheesy
have fun I know it’s it’s cheesy I love the cheesiness of it but every
I love the cheesiness of it but every
I love the cheesiness of it but every motivational speaker you’ve ever heard
motivational speaker you’ve ever heard
motivational speaker you’ve ever heard has told you have fun and if you do what
has told you have fun and if you do what
has told you have fun and if you do what you love you’ll never work a day in your
you love you’ll never work a day in your
you love you’ll never work a day in your life but it’s really true because when I
life but it’s really true because when I
life but it’s really true because when I was building that hand and when I’m
was building that hand and when I’m
was building that hand and when I’m working on that nonprofit stuff now it
working on that nonprofit stuff now it
working on that nonprofit stuff now it feels like I’m back building Legos it
feels like I’m back building Legos it
feels like I’m back building Legos it feels like I’m working on motorcycles it
feels like I’m working on motorcycles it
feels like I’m working on motorcycles it feels like I’m playing computer games
feels like I’m playing computer games
feels like I’m playing computer games it’s all this incredible feeling of fun
it’s all this incredible feeling of fun
it’s all this incredible feeling of fun and all sudden I look up and it’s been
and all sudden I look up and it’s been
and all sudden I look up and it’s been three hours and it feels like it’s been
three hours and it feels like it’s been
three hours and it feels like it’s been 30 and I put a lot of effort in I have a
30 and I put a lot of effort in I have a
30 and I put a lot of effort in I have a good product
good product
good product contrast that with doing something that
contrast that with doing something that
contrast that with doing something that I’m not having fun
I’m not having fun
I’m not having fun and suddenly I’m checking my watch every
and suddenly I’m checking my watch every
and suddenly I’m checking my watch every 10 minutes wondering alright is this
10 minutes wondering alright is this
10 minutes wondering alright is this enough is this good enough when can I go
enough is this good enough when can I go
enough is this good enough when can I go do something else that I actually do
do something else that I actually do
do something else that I actually do find fun so you got to find that thing
find fun so you got to find that thing
find fun so you got to find that thing that you have fun with and that you’re
that you have fun with and that you’re
that you have fun with and that you’re passionate about to be that level of
passionate about to be that level of
passionate about to be that level of efficiency and an add-on to that it’s
efficiency and an add-on to that it’s
efficiency and an add-on to that it’s easy to say have fun do what you’re
easy to say have fun do what you’re
easy to say have fun do what you’re passionate about but what are you
passionate about but what are you
passionate about but what are you passionate about that takes people a
passionate about that takes people a
passionate about that takes people a long time to answer for me I got lucky
long time to answer for me I got lucky
long time to answer for me I got lucky and it kind of got thrown on me and I
and it kind of got thrown on me and I
and it kind of got thrown on me and I realized hey I really enjoy this it’s
realized hey I really enjoy this it’s
realized hey I really enjoy this it’s hands-on building it’s fun I love this
hands-on building it’s fun I love this
hands-on building it’s fun I love this but my other interest which was
but my other interest which was
but my other interest which was mentioned to kind of a my introduction
mentioned to kind of a my introduction
mentioned to kind of a my introduction of AI artificial intelligence I didn’t
of AI artificial intelligence I didn’t
of AI artificial intelligence I didn’t really know that until about a year into
really know that until about a year into
really know that until about a year into college I went through two majors to
college I went through two majors to
college I went through two majors to research labs and then I kind of landed
research labs and then I kind of landed
research labs and then I kind of landed on that passion and that’s still
on that passion and that’s still
on that passion and that’s still probably kind of early so I was lucky in
probably kind of early so I was lucky in
probably kind of early so I was lucky in two cases there some people might go
two cases there some people might go
two cases there some people might go years and years trying to find that
years and years trying to find that
years and years trying to find that thing that really drives them and for me
thing that really drives them and for me
thing that really drives them and for me those two things if you ask me about
those two things if you ask me about
those two things if you ask me about them you I’m gonna have to ask you how
them you I’m gonna have to ask you how
them you I’m gonna have to ask you how much time you have because I’m gonna
much time you have because I’m gonna
much time you have because I’m gonna start talking faster I’m gonna start
start talking faster I’m gonna start
start talking faster I’m gonna start rattling I’m gonna start rambling
rattling I’m gonna start rambling
rattling I’m gonna start rambling because I’m interested in them and I
because I’m interested in them and I
because I’m interested in them and I want to talk about them because it’s fun
want to talk about them because it’s fun
want to talk about them because it’s fun to me so you gotta find those things in
to me so you gotta find those things in
to me so you gotta find those things in your life that you have fun with and
your life that you have fun with and
your life that you have fun with and embrace them and turn them into
embrace them and turn them into
embrace them and turn them into something to benefit the community so
something to benefit the community so
something to benefit the community so knowing your limits doing your research
knowing your limits doing your research
knowing your limits doing your research and having fun it’s pretty much all I
and having fun it’s pretty much all I
and having fun it’s pretty much all I got from the last three or four years of
got from the last three or four years of
got from the last three or four years of running a non-profit but I think it’s
running a non-profit but I think it’s
running a non-profit but I think it’s easily applicable to anything we do in
easily applicable to anything we do in
easily applicable to anything we do in life specifically in this field so with
life specifically in this field so with
life specifically in this field so with that I urge you when you leave here you
that I urge you when you leave here you
that I urge you when you leave here you probably have something in your mind
probably have something in your mind
probably have something in your mind something you’ve run into in the past
something you’ve run into in the past
something you’ve run into in the past week month
week month
week month a year where you thought yes that’s a
a year where you thought yes that’s a
a year where you thought yes that’s a bit of a problem I wish someone would
bit of a problem I wish someone would
bit of a problem I wish someone would fix that you can fix it potentially look
fix that you can fix it potentially look
fix that you can fix it potentially look into that let that let that festering
into that let that let that festering
into that let that let that festering thought grow into an idea and embrace it
thought grow into an idea and embrace it
thought grow into an idea and embrace it do your research know your limits think
do your research know your limits think
do your research know your limits think of you’re gonna have fun with it and
of you’re gonna have fun with it and
of you’re gonna have fun with it and then pursue it with that I urge us all
then pursue it with that I urge us all
then pursue it with that I urge us all to go out make something and just make
to go out make something and just make
to go out make something and just make the world a little bit better for it
the world a little bit better for it
the world a little bit better for it thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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