Nearly 20 years ago, I found myself on a plane, heading to Texas for my first "real" job. I was barely 19, brimming with excitement and pride, on my way to what I was sure was the beginning of a promising career. I remember the feeling of taking my seat on the plane—my first time flying on a ticket bought by someone else—and the sense of accomplishment that came with it.

A man sat down next to me, and as often happens on flights, we struck up a conversation. He looked at me and asked, "Are you heading home or away?" With a bit of pride, I replied, "I'm flying to Texas. For work." I made sure to emphasize the word "work," as if to say, Look at me—I've made it.

He smiled and said, "I'm on my way home from work. I've been at this day for about 26 hours so far, but I'm almost there. This is hopefully my last flight."

I was intrigued. "Oh wow, where are you coming from?"

He leaned back, a little weary but still with a hint of satisfaction in his voice, and said, "We were in Germany, racing Porsches around the Nürburgring."

That sounded like something out of a dream, so I had to ask, "That sounds amazing! What do you do for work?"

He explained, "My partner and I put on events where we take executives from different companies who need to do negotiations and bring them together around a unique and exciting event. It's about creating an experience that helps them connect, so they can sit down and conduct the necessary negotiations."

At that moment, my mind was blown. I had no idea that such a job even existed, and it was, without a doubt, the coolest thing I had ever heard. We talked a bit more before he fell asleep, and my thoughts drifted back to my own journey. I didn't get his name, and I was too inexperienced to think of exchanging contact information, but I never forgot that conversation-- that idea of creating something that could change the way people approach high-stakes business interactions.

Now, almost two decades later, I find myself in a position where I can take that moment of inspiration and build it into reality. Over the years, I've carved my own path—learning the ins and outs of M&A, designing and hosting events that have left lasting impressions, working with some of the biggest names in business and entertainment, and building an incredible professional network. That early inspiration planted a seed, but everything I've built since then has been shaped by my own experiences, my own vision, and my own understanding of what it takes to foster meaningful relationships in high-pressure environments.

This is how Vertex Ventures Group was born. We're not just about planning events; we're about creating environments when the stakes are high, so the outcomes are transformative. Our mission is to design bespoke, high-end experiences that bring people together in a way that fosters trust, builds powerful relationships, and drives meaningful outcomes.

In a way, it feels like I've come full circle. What started as a chance conversation on a flight has grown and evolved into something real. An opportunity to work with a talented and driven team to build something special from the ground up, a company that reflects everything I've learned and everything I'm passionate about. Vertex Ventures Group is the culmination of years of hard work, passion, and a belief that the right environment can make all the difference. I've taken the idea of high-stakes events and turned it into something unique—an approach that's not just about the thrill of the experience, but about strategically crafting spaces and building relationships that make business not only possible but unforgettable.