Innovation is a buzzword that gets thrown around a lot these days. But for me, it’s always been something more personal—something rooted in curiosity, intuition, and a deep desire to improve the world around me. I’ve been inventing things for as long as I can remember. It started with simple ideas—tweaks to everyday objects, things I wished existed but didn’t. Over time, those sparks turned into sketches, and sketches turned into prototypes. Eventually, some of those ideas became patent filings. But the heart of it all has stayed the same: I see problems, and I feel compelled to solve them.

Where It All Began

Growing up, I was the kid who took everything apart. I always wanted to see how things worked—remote controls, toasters, even my bike. My parents were incredibly patient (and probably a little nervous at times), but they never discouraged me. That freedom to explore, to experiment, and sometimes to fail, was a huge gift. It taught me that invention isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions.

I remember once trying to design a way to keep beach sand from getting inside coolers. It was a silly idea at the time, but the challenge excited me. How do you create a cleaner, more efficient experience for people using something as simple as a cooler on a sandy beach? That kind of thinking—tinkering, questioning, trying again—has followed me into every invention since.

The Role of Intuition

People often ask me where my ideas come from. The truth is, a lot of them come from intuition. There’s usually a moment when I sense that something could be done better. It’s not always logical at first. Sometimes it’s a feeling—an itch that something doesn’t make sense the way it is. That’s when I start turning the idea over in my head, sometimes for days or weeks, until a clearer picture starts to form.

That gut feeling, paired with observation and research, is what drives most of my creative process. I pay close attention to how people interact with the world around them. What frustrates them? What takes too long? What wastes energy or materials? Once I find that friction point, I start thinking about how to reduce or eliminate it.

Filing Patents: Turning Ideas Into Action

The patent process might sound intimidating, but to me, it’s one of the most exciting parts of being an inventor. It’s the moment when an idea becomes real—when it’s recognized not just as a thought, but as a contribution to a better way of doing things.

Some of my proudest patent filings have been for systems that solve real-world problems in efficient, creative ways. One idea involved an eco-friendly way to filter water using minimal materials and energy—something that could help communities in areas where clean water isn’t easily accessible. Another involved a device designed to prevent injuries on construction sites, where even small safety improvements can make a big difference. Each of these ideas started as sketches, some born out of my own frustration or after observing someone struggle.

Filing a patent is never just about protecting the idea—it’s about positioning it to grow. It’s a step toward getting that solution out into the world where it can make an impact. It’s also a challenge to keep pushing myself: What’s the next piece of the puzzle? What new question do I need to ask?

Collaboration and Creativity

Even though inventing can feel like a solo process, collaboration plays a huge role in what I do. Talking through an idea with others—whether they’re engineers, friends, or mentors—always sharpens it. Sometimes someone will poke holes in an idea, and that’s good. It forces me to think more deeply and get more creative. Other times, someone sees something in the idea that I hadn’t considered. That’s how real innovation happens—when ideas collide and evolve.

I’ve been lucky to work alongside people who bring different perspectives and skills to the table. I’ve learned that the best innovations come not just from having a good idea, but from having the right people to help shape it into something practical, scalable, and meaningful.

What Innovation Means to Me

For me, innovation isn’t just about gadgets or patents—it’s about solving problems in ways that make people’s lives better. Sometimes that means making a system more efficient. Other times, it means designing something totally new. But at its core, invention is about service. It’s about using your curiosity and skills to respond to the needs of others.

That’s the mindset I try to bring to every project. Whether I’m working on utility infrastructure, water systems, or safety devices, the goal is the same: make it smarter, make it safer, make it better.

Where Curiosity Will Take Me Next

As I continue this journey, I know there’s still so much to learn. Technology is advancing at an incredible pace, and so are the challenges we face as a society. But I believe that young inventors like myself have a unique role to play. We’re growing up in a world that demands creativity, resilience, and bold thinking—and that’s exactly what invention is all about.

My hope is to keep learning, keep building, and keep filing patents—not just for the sake of invention, but to create tools, systems, and ideas that can genuinely move us forward. Because at the end of the day, every great innovation starts with one simple idea and a whole lot of belief in what’s possible.