What inspired you to co-found Fuel Our Heroes and xchange?
For Fuel Our Heros, it was seeing the lack of PPE in hospitals nearby. For xchange, it was trying to find a way to help college students with student debt.
Who was your role model and/or inspiration?
My biggest inspiration is my great-great grandfather, David Gestetner, who invented the duplicator (the predecessor to the photocopier) and nail-clipper. He came from nothing yet made a huge impact on the world and everyday life. I would like to think that I have inherited his passion for innovation and I hope that I can revolutionize industries as he did.
What does your future look like? What do you plan to do?
I am very interested in two things: entrepreneurship and investment (venture capital and growth equity). I want to be able to spark growth and change and fuel innovation
What is the best piece of advice you have received that has helped you be successful?
To go for it. For every incredible idea, there are risks. And the longer you wait to capitalize on those ideas and opportunities, the more the risks are going to grow.
What motivates you?
Seeing a problem and actively working to solve that problem. I love seeing the response to the solutions and being a part of solving a bigger issue. Watching the process from beginning to end and seeing how incredible fueling change really is.
What do you do in your free time?
Waterskiing, watching and playing soccer with friends, and listening to Joe Rogan’s podcast.
How has your life and daily routines in regards to your company changed as a result of COVID-19?
It really disrupted xchange and we had to rewrite all of our launch plans. We learned that with less structure come more independence and we need to be more disciplined. It’s easy to get lazy and be unproductive, but I learned to be productive and prioritize. I also think these circumstances made for a great reflection period for my company in terms of a marketing plan and relaunching.
If you could know the absolute truth to one question, what would you ask?
What is the biggest impact a human can have or make?
If you had a theme song, what would it be?
Start Me Up by the Rolling Stones
In your opinion, who do you think is the most impressive person in the world right now, and why?
Fauci because his composure under all the pressure is incredible and inspiring to see. He’s very calm and composed through it all.
What advice do you have for fellow/younger students?
See the opportunity in every difficulty and don’t get railroaded onto a path you don’t want to be on.