I find myself asking that question more often these days.
Not because I am discouraged or losing hope, but because I am a dad. I have a 10-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter who are growing up in a world evolving faster than any generation before them. And like any parent, I want to know there is a place for them in that future—a path where their talents, hard work, and passion can lead to something meaningful.
We talk a lot about “the future” as if it is some distant, theoretical place we are slowly moving toward. But the truth is: the future is being formed right now. The choices we make today—what we teach our children, the skills we invest in, the tools we put in their hands—will define what kind of opportunities they will have tomorrow.
When my father, Steve, and I started a CNC business over 15 years ago, I had one goal: make money. I was not concerned about creating jobs for other people or building tools that could lead others into a potential career.
However, I imagine my dad had a very different perspective: to create a job opportunity for his son—a foundation to get married, have children, live a happy and secure life, and maybe even retire one day. It is funny how time (and age) can shift our focus from ourselves to others.
Fifteen years later, the lens from which I view our company has changed completely. We do not just sell machines. We equip schools, classrooms, and makers with the tools to build real skills—skills that can open doors to real careers.
In a world where the lines between digital and physical continue to blur, learning tangible trades—like CNC machining, CAD design, manufacturing, and automation—remains one of the most reliable ways for students to find purpose and employment. These trades are not disappearing. In fact, they are becoming even more essential as industries face a growing skills gap and seek people who can build, think, and create.
Our company exists to bridge that gap.
We do this by putting real tools in classrooms, equipping teachers to educate the next generation of creators, and ensuring students leave with more than just exposure. They leave with experience. They leave with confidence. They leave with the understanding that their future does matter—and that they can shape it with their own hands.
That is why this matters to me—not just as a business owner, but as a dad. Because when my kids step into the world in the years to come (or get kicked out… whichever happens first, haha), I want them to find a world they are equipped for.
And perhaps, through Simply Technologies, we can help a few other kids do the same.