Ah yes, the final week of a seven week travel spree. I looked back over my photos and realized I have had some serious memories with a ton of great people.
This week started with some rough family and work news and a lot of emotions to go with it. On Monday, I had a “character building” day that seemed to never stop. The highlight of the day was probably my sickest hockey goal of my life, which definitely helped throw a little sunshine on an otherwise stormy day.
Amidst the rougher experiences of the day, I found life lessons and was pleased with how I handled things. I had a moment at the end of the day on Monday where I chose to express some feelings to a loved one, and though there was a lot of emotion, it went really well, and I was glad I did it.
On Tuesday, it was time for Colombia!
This was a very special trip for me because I was going to see our newly formed Technology and Innovation team, lead by our own Angie De La Rosa. Moreover, it’s a team of individuals leading the charge in an area about which I know very little.
There is some amazing technology being developed at Fountain Forward, and I was excited to learn about it.
But…
The way the team began their presentation is what set the tone for the entire trip. As I mentioned to them… Man, was this a total 180 from how I thought it was going to be, and man was I glad it went this way.
Basically, to put it short, they began with their curiosities and concerns about how Fountain Forward is currently running/structured and things they believe, based on their observations, could be improved.
They fucking nailed it.
I wish you could have been there, I really do.
Minute by minute, I was typing up notes about their vision and how they suggest we navigate some challenges BEFORE they finish up some of the technology they’re building.
Regardless of some of the technology they’re building.
I’m getting emotional as I write this. It was so wonderful to experience.
They were thinking so much deeper than I even realized.
This is why I was inspired to go see them. This was resonance (if you ask me).
Once we got through much of that, I was fortunate enough to have one of our young guns, Samuel, and one of our new team members, Rafael, go through some of the technology they’ve built.
Samuel, now 22 years old, has not even finished University yet.
Samuel and Rafael completed a build of an inventory tool that I didn’t even know we could replace/improve. They saw something that they thought could be replaced and improved upon and built it themselves.
Not only did they do it, but they did it well with endless future potential. This is without mentioning the significant savings they created for Fountain Forward because of their curiosity and courage to build it. The Tech & Innovation team as a whole is doing some serious shit.
At the foundation of all of this was Jherson and Angie setting the tone for the team. The two together are like the ultimate Swiss Army knife everyone dreams of. Bring them the problem and they’re going to find a way to fix it.
Alas, it’s back in Houston (with one little trip in the middle) for two weeks.
My own bed and my loved ones around me.
Time to take all of the knowledge and put it to work.
My heart is full. Chin up, shoulders back.
Special shout out to Jherson who has been learning new technologies as Fountain Forward has evolved and who saved us a few different times. You continue to work extremely hard and do your best to improve your technical and soft skills. Love ya, bro!
Special shout out to Leonor for doing a great job planning and executing this trip. You were more assertive on this trip than any before. It was like watching a flower blossom as the trip progressed. Keep up the great work!
– SJ