vern howard
entrepreneur, product guy, investor.

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. there's something special about bringing an old machine back to life.

⚡️my superpower: i am an elucidator (which means): i'm a master at making the complicated uncomplicated.

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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. Took the UPS job. Community college for a year. Got into VCU. Graduated. Had a benchmark for what not to do.
//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.
//My first company. Raised the money. Scaled it. Got cocky. Did not listen enough. Listened too much to the wrong people. 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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//play long-term games with long-term people:
relationships and compound interest go hand in hand.
find your tribe, be vulnerable, and stick around for the long haul.
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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.
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//vision evolves through iteration:
first ideas are rarely perfect, but they're the foundation.
every iteration, whether on projects, relationships, or beliefs, teaches you something new.
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//luck is a factor:
success stories often have hidden "wizards behind the curtain."
create your own luck through hard work and staying open to opportunities.
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//small teams, big impact:
my best work started small and scrappy.
less ego, more collaboration—everyone pitches in.
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//authenticity is power:
in a world of copies, be the original.  
avoid groupthink—it kills creativity.

//walking meetings and meals > boardrooms.
"touch grass..."
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investing:
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i’m into ai, data infra, and b2b(+c) companies.
i'm around for strategic advice, product sessions, and sharing lessons learned the hard way.
i occasionally record all my thoughts here.
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