Jamal Of All trades

Engineering Manager

I am an Engineering Manager with 23 years of experience in software development and a strong passion for team building and mentorship.

Photographer

I fell in love with photography in 2010 and haven’t put down a camera since then. I’ve explored a number of genres but my passion is in street and travel

Brand & Marketing

I own and operate A Narrative Lens , a brand and marketing agency that helps mini & mico business leverage the same strategies I use in corporate work

Maker

I’m constantly making something. Wood working, fiber arts, 3D Printing , Home Improvement , jewelry. You name it I’ve done it or its on the to do list

MY WORK

A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one

As far as I can remember, I have never wanted to be the best at anything. Better than a particular friend or rival, sure, but never THE best. It always seems like a waste of time, and more importantly, incredibly boring to me. The world is full of fun, interesting things, so why would I want to give up all those new experiences to focus on doing the same thing over and over? If I had to pinpoint a decision moment, I think it was when, as a small child, my mother said that my dad was a Renaissance man. When she explained what that meant, my path was set. I’m an unapologetic generalist.

My typical approach is: if it’s interesting, I’ll learn more. Once I know something, I’ll try it. If I don’t hate it, I’d try to be decent at it. If I like it, I’ll try to be better than average. If I love it, I might get really good. Over the course of my life, I’ve become better than average at a lot of stuff, and I’m really good at a handful.

Most of what I’m good at is making things. I make physical crafts and projects with my hands. I make digital creations using my mind. I shape businesses with my consulting, and I build developers through leadership and mentorship. It’s a wide range of skills, but it all boils down to this: