Tags: Company, Business
In January of this year, NewAperio achieved a signifcant milestone: 10 years in business.
I had planned on holding a big birthday bash, inviting employees, clients, and friends to celebrate this milestone and the part each of them played in getting us here.
But the world had much different priorities for 2020 and admist all of the chaos and uncertainty, it didn't feel right to hold a big celebration. Perhaps that may happen in the future.
For now, I just want to say: thank you.
I started this company when I was just 20 years old out of my college dorm room. I'm now a much different person — older and more bearded, both a husband and a father — and NewAperio, similarly, is different as well.
My aspirations and dreams for the company changed as I matured, from Icarian to pastoral. I don't want NewAperio to be a titanic, worldwide leader. Instead, I'm much happier with the freedom being small and nimble has afforded my family and our employees. We don't have to constantly chase bigger; instead I'm content helping our clients make their own dent in the universe through the work we do.
Speaking of our work, I'm eternally proud of what we've done and forever grateful for the opportunities we've been given. From helping organ donation agencies save lives, to recruiting a more diverse computer science student body, to empowering police departments to serve their community better, to guiding people to understand more about their loved ones' healthcare, to enabling more democratic discourse in our society, and to all the others that are too numerous to list. Each of these experiences has been meaningful and helped us grow into the company we are today. To our clients, past, present, and future: thank you for letting us be a part of your story.
We wouldn't be anywhere without our team. I've been lucky enough to work with many great people over the years, each of them talented in ways that go beyond the keyboard. I've learned from each of you and I can't tell you how thankful I am for the relationships we were able to build. Your brilliance and passion are fundamental to the company's success. I enjoy what I do, but doing it with you makes it that much better. To our employees, past, present, and future: thank you for everything you've done to make NewAperio the company it is.
Entrepreneurship is never easy and building this company hasn't been without its ups and downs. Thank you to all the friends who've helped me along the way. I wouldn't be where I am without the edification and support of many mentors past and present.
Finally, a special thank you to my wife, who married both me and the company, whether she realized that at the time or not. Your patience, guidance, and support are the only reasons I was able to continue.
Ten years ago I doubted I'd be writing this. Most companies fail within a few years; very few make it to 10. It took a monumental amount of effort and willpower — a lot of blood, sweat, and tears — along with an equal amount of help, assistance, and good, old-fashioned luck. But whatever comes next, I'm so thankful for this journey and everything it's taught me and brought to me and my family.
Here's to 10 more.