Mechanic, driver, dad, builder.
Today I was asked at a guest lecture on AI in consulting — "Why do you think you're ready to be a founder?" I reflected on my journey so far, and explained using a simple analogy across four phases.
Phase 1Mechanic. Evaluator.
Seven years at McKinsey. I was servicing Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches. Every engagement was a different supercar rolling into the shop. Billion‑dollar businesses. I learned what a great engine looks like, what breaks them, what makes them hum — and how to effectively work with buyers to diligence if a car is worthy of purchase.
Phase 2Driver.
Director of Strategy at HelloFresh across ANZ. Turns out servicing a car and driving one are completely different professions. Internal horse‑trading. P&L pressures. Priority calls at 11pm. You can know how an engine hums and still be a bad driver the first time you're behind the wheel.
Phase 3Dad.
I took the time to really focus on being a present father. My daughter is now 18 months old and I have no regrets on my time away. I took the time to self‑reflect on my journey, and refined the frameworks that helped me prioritise my next 5 years. To achieve things I'd be proud of when I look back. To unabashedly learn topics I am passionate about — like AI‑powered development and business building.
Phase 4AI‑powered builder & co‑founder.
Malo Studios. Frollie. Jakarta. Trying to build my own car from scratch, with my wife as co‑founder and shotgun. I know what good looks like. I know what will break just by listening to the engine. I know how to drive.
Servicing teaches you what good looks like. Driving teaches you what it feels like when things go wrong at speed. Building is where you find out if you actually know what you're doing. Most of the interesting people I know are somewhere on this arc. The ones I learn the most from have done all three.
So here I am, tool in hand, running Claude Code at 2am while Ava sleeps. Quit my 9‑5 so I can now build 24/7.