For the past 9 years, I've called San Francisco home. For the past 17 years, I've called the USA home. Neither of those things is true anymore.
After an incredible year of travel, I've finally unpacked my bags, moved around the world to Australia, and officially founded a startup. Yup, that's right - I left San Francisco to start a tech company.
Many people have asked whether it's because of a giant orange toddler who shall go unnamed. While I'm mortified and ashamed daily by what I see happening in American politics now, it's not the primary reason. The election results made it easier for me to move away but it's been my home for a long time and leaving was not an easy decision.
While I still consider myself Canadian, I've lived in America since 2000, when I came here for university. I've been fortunate enough to travel to many countries but I've lived my entire adult life in America, working in finance in New York and in tech in San Francisco. If that's not a cliché existence, I don't know what is.
For a long time, I wanted to do something different. I really do believe that innovation and technology can be created anywhere. San Francisco is a special place and has an incredible network and community that I'm proud to call friends. I'll be back regularly (sorry, you can't get rid of me that easily!) but it's time for something new and I'm ready for the challenge.
I'm excited to call Sydney home, and I'm looking forward to showing you what I've been working on. It's a $6+ billion business that hasn't changed in years and has a uniquely Australian bent. From now on, I'll be writing about my journey on the entrepreneurial roller coaster, and my perspective on building a startup in Sydney, after coming from San Francisco.