Mitch grew up with the opportunity to work alongside his father to help paint walls for apartments and houses others would live in. He went on to assist neighbors with cutting their grass and providing basic handyman services around the house, including adjust kitchen cabinet doors so they would hang and close right. One might say that at an early age Mitch was on a path to follow in his father’s footsteps of being a handy person. And sure Mitch even saw that, no matter the task he was presented with he would tackle it with the best labor possible. But his future would not be as a handyman, but as someone venturing out on his own in an arena barely coming on the horizon at a consumer level.
Mitch lived in an apartment building near the old Los Angeles Convention Center on October 1, 1987. While in school that morning, an earthquake struck the area, later known as the Whittier Narrows earthquake. Mitch and classmates were playing a game of twister when the earth began to shake. Now it’s not uncommon for earthquakes to happen in California. In fact, so many people don’t even feel happen here daily. What set this earthquake apart was to be discovered later, during which the city used to relocate people in the area to expand the Convention Center. You see, a crack had formed in the side of the apartment building Mitch’s family lived in. So the city in it’s desire to grab land for the expansion presented folks in the area relocation opportunities, moving expenses covered, and some cash in hand as well. Mitch’s parents were presented a list of possible relocation options, which would be covered rent wise under a Section 8 voucher. For Mitch’s family, under Section 8 rules, a 4 bedroom was required. On the list of locations was one in Southcentral Los Angeles. And it was that particular location Mitch’s mother prayed would not be the one they would end up at. One by one, locations filled, with the one undesired ultimately being where Mitch’s family would move. One could look at this as an opportunity to apply the quotes, “When man plans, God laughs.” For it was that one move which began Mitch’s journey. In the remainder of the 4th grade, at a new school in Southcentral Los Angeles, Mitch would discover what a computer was. Sure it was nothing fancy like today, but using that Apple IIC to do math and english work on set Mitch up for doing something in technology. Years later, it was the ability to take a class on learning what a web site was that ultimately made clear just what the journey would be.
For twenty five years Mitch took part I designing and developing websites for clients, many he never met face to face. He helped local folks and folks all around the world create, refine and even re-imagine what the Internet could do to help them with their businesses, to service their customers better. And it did not matter to Mitch if the customer was able to pay large sums of money or only able to exchange some of the things they sold in exchange for the work. He did not do it for the money or fame. Mitch genuinely enjoyed helping others. And he never had a shortage of clients, as he was referred around. In fact, in his twenty five years of work he never spent a single cent on advertising or purchasing leads. Also surprising was that in twenty five years the only client to not sign off on the work needed and payment made to begin the work was a client who insisted on a formal contract. All of his other clients were satisfied he understood the tasks required and trusted he would deliver without a formal contract. In fact, many willingly paid the entire bill upfront, instead of just a deposit to begin work.
While other design firms would take months to complete a web site for a client, Mitch believed in the simple policy of getting clients off his plate as quickly as possible. For you see, the quicker the work could be completed, the quicker Mitch could close on the work for the client and be paid, if he had not already been paid in full. But far more important to Mitch was that the quicker the work could be completed, the sooner the client could start using their new marketing tool to attract new and existing customers to the business and what it would offer through their website. Hearing positive feedback from his clients fueled Mitch with so much joy, far beyond any monetary gains ever could. After all, Mitch built to satisfy clients and their customers, not just for the payday.
During the end of that twenty five year period however, Mitch noticed a slow down in the work coming in, partially due to a global pandemic which caused some of his clients to go out of business or seek other options, including doing the web site work themselves. Mitch was not expensive, but for some businesses during the time any expense that could be cut was. This ultimately left Mitch struggling even more financially then he already was. So he turned to looking for a job in the space, hoping he could continue to help clients, while affording to cover necessary bills. Unfortunately Mitch was self trained and did not have a Bachelor’s degree, something which was required.
Even with the amount of experience Mitch had, and the list of clients he had over the years, without the degree he would be denied employment again and again. This lack of employability was at least in part the driving force of what Mitch was planning to carry out that day at the beach. He had recently become homeless and was struggling financially, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally with the change in living situation. Sure there were opportunities to bring immeasurable joy into his life with walks he would take in nature during the time of being unhoused, but that joy did not seem to be enough to combat all the unanswered job applications he would fill out.
Mitch was however thankful all the folks who would donate money to help him along the journey of being homeless. The outpouring from strangers touched Mitch in ways no one would ever fully realize. And he still had a few of his clients, who through transparency, were aware of his situation and still stuck by him. Mitch could never thank them enough for their support.