Graduated from a private fashion design college in Southern California, the young designer hoped to become a couturier. But, with bills to pay, his dreams were set aside and had entered into sales. From retail to high tech sales in Silicon Valley, part of his success was his realization that to ask for a business, he first need to be heard. To be heard, he had to be seen. And he was seen by wearing his own hand-painted ties which drew conversations with his potential clients, and thus building a rapport. He sold his first tie to the public in 1990.