vern howard

about me:
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//rochester, ny native: graduated high school at 16. worked at ups loading trailers for a year after hs.
//vcu grad: earned a computer info systems degree; focused on mathematics. the two college jobs I had to pay for college were janitor + math tutor. (no, Robin Williams wasn't my therapist.)
//built capital one's 1st mobile app: launched to 5M+ users, hit the top 10 in app stores.
//innovative capital markets: worked on capital ones' trading floor with derivatives traders, bridging strategy, ops, and tech.
//founded a startup: raised $3M+ in vc from the uber co-founder, aol co-founder, paylocity founder and two family offices to launch the 1st ai multi-modal experience ahead of big research labs, scaled to 1,300 schools. (failed, and learned what not to do).
//lived in ny, va, dc, ca: each place added a layer to my perspective on life and business.
//bookworm: if it's bound, i've probably read it. Why Should All The White Guys Have All the Fun? is a favorite—it, Reginald Lewis was ahead of his time.
//cinephile: i am passionate about cinema + movies. i sold Larry David some pajamas once.
//vintage car enthusiast: Rebuilt a 1988 Alfa Romeo Milano 🍀 in college. now rebuilding a 1995 Alfa Romeo 164S Quadrifoglio there's something special about bringing an old machine back to life.

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222s:
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‍I have noticed a pattern in my life.

It is always the second time.
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//Lacrosse at age 10. Did not make the team. Worked until I never got cut again. Played through varsity.
//College applications. Got into none of the schools I wanted. Community college for a year. Got into VCU.
//Job interviews out of college. Kept showing up unprepared. When Capital One came along I was ready.
//My wife. We dated in college. I was a complete idiot. When the opportunity came back I was ready. We are married now.
//Raised the money. Scaled it. Got cocky. Did not hire or fire fast enough. Did not think big enough.

Now I am building my second company.

The second time is not luck.

It is the first attempt processed honestly.
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what i believe:
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//patience is the ultimate commodity:
great things take time and grit.
“fail fast” only works if you have the patience (and capital) to keep iterating.
the most valuable experiences build on themselves over time.

//small teams, big impact:
my best work started small and scrappy.
two people with no permission beats twelve with a process.
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//walking meetings and meals > boardrooms.
"touch grass..."
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now:
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//building my second company in new york.
//i occasionally record all my thoughts here.