I believe great things aren’t accomplished by accident. When you peel back the curtain on the businesses, organizations, and feats you admire most- you see a steadfast determination, a dedication to continuous learning, a willingness to learn through doing, and a great team of strong minds and talent surrounding them.

I’ve been fascinated with technology since I got my hands on my family’s 286 computer. And while I chose to go the business route, instead of engineering or computer science, I started the first of many ventures with close friends while in college. It was this venture (an online hub for college students), founded while attending Florida A&M, that caused Microsoft to take interest in me.

After a year in Search Marketing, I authored a paper outlining a billion dollar profit center in search. Bill Gates read and commented and, coupled with strategic work for a few grassroots efforts I made the leap into Product Planning on Windows- entertainment. That work utilizing a combination of technical comprehension, insight, and influence further honed the combination of skills I sought to develop to build and run successful technology ventures. All totaled I’ve spent the last 10 years learning how to build technology businesses, products and services- including StickyTag (which was conceptually integrated into a Microsoft incubation project).

After a great run leading Qworky (a Seattle area Startup)- I’ve returned to Microsoft.

- Mikal