My story: I found my inspiration working for a college radio station. Friends of mine were DJs but the shows were broadcast via the college cable channel instead of radio so listeners saw a blank tv screen. One day, I noticed an overhead projector connected to the channel and I started putting CD covers on it so listeners could see what was playing. And then my creativity exploded. I started creating visual effects with anything I could dream up. I used static electricity balls, black lights and even antifreeze mixed with food coloring to create intense images. Our listeners became viewers, and it remains a very special time in my life.The college soon built a computer lab with Photoshop. I played around with the software and it blew my mind. Everything just clicked. I started looking into graphic design and found a college in Tempe, AZ. As a broke student, I sold everything I had including my car to make the trip. A friend was driving to Lake Havasu so I took a ride to Tempe in a '70 Honda Accord. We made it to Albuquerque before the car broke down and I hitched a ride to the bus station while leaving most of my belongings behind.When classes started, everything was great. I was working towards something I truly wanted. After the first year, the college shuttle shut down. I was left to walking and taking a maze of busses to reach campus. But I pushed through. I worked hard to put myself through that program and earned my Associate degree with a 3.7. I had the option to enroll in the Bachelor’s program, but because I was putting myself through college, I didn’t want to saddle myself with even more debt.Looking back, the biggest lesson was to keep clawing my way and overcoming obstacles. Moving from a one-stop-light town to Tempe was overwhelming but rewarding. Walking in 100+ degree heat and taking the bus for 2 hours to campus was miserable, but it shaped my drive and how I approach every position I’ve had.Much of my career has been working for small companies where I wore many hats. This expanded my abilities far more than a degree. I was often tasked with marketing and I really embraced that. I became fascinated with the reasons why people choose products. Soon I was applying for marketing jobs and dug into platforms like HubSpot and learned about Marcus Sheridan and his “They Ask, You Answer” approach. I’ve recently taught myself basic video editing and have worked on projects I never could imagine in college — and there's still so much to learn!https://jasonstowell.myportfolio.comWatch a sunrise at least once a day. — Phillip Dunphey