Oh man,,, this picture.
I can remember this like it was yesterday.
A bit of backstory– there was a period seven years ago where I was commuting from Philly to NYC a few days a week to meet with Austen and work on features/strategy and pitch investors. I’d hit the road a little before 7 AM, do the SEPTA to NJ Transit thing, and end up back home a little after 9 PM.
These trips were my first visits to NYC. Can you believe it? At my age? Not having been to NYC?
I can remember Austen and I were on our way from one set of investor meetings to another set of investor meetings, in a taxi, on the FDR. Austen was mid-pitch on something– whether his words were for me or for him or just practice before the next investor I really can’t remember; my attention was elsewhere. I was completely taken away by the city and the experience I was having. How is all this possible? Am I dreaming?
Back at Penn Station I had more than enough adrenaline from the day to keep working.
The thought of leaving Gooten brings a ton of emotions to the fore but overwhelmingly I just feel grateful for these 7.5 years. Thank you to everyone that contributed to this incredible gift.