Starting my business in Western Mass Markets

[Jason Brooks]

Hello all,

My name is Jason Brooks. I wanted to formally introduce myself to the investors and professionals who frequent this site.

I have been studying the "craft" for about five years, but only very seriously for about the last 6 months or so. I have found my "why", developed my business down to the desk I will use in my minds eye, and I am taking action every day and night towards achieving my dream.

I am a husband, a proud parent of 3, and I believe whole-heartedly in the American Dream. I have worked hard in my life and I have a great career, but it does not fulfill my desire to leave a legacy behind to my children (and one day grandchildren).

I grew up very poor in Holyoke, MA in the flats (very impoverished area) and the surrounding areas. My parents (like so many others) weren't ready to be parents. We had next to nothing, nobody in my family ever owned more than a vehicle (maybe). I wore hand-me-down clothes to school, never had a haircut, amd spent a lot of time defending myself. We lived on welfare, and Medicaid, and we ate ketchup sandwiches when we had to...As I grew up, I did the only thing I could think to do...and that was the exact opposite of what my parents were doing...I was like Rich Dad, Poor Dad, without the Rich Dad, lol.

Fast forward to high school, I worked full time while I went to school until I graduated high school. I helped Mom with the rent and the utilities, did the housework, and bought food and new clothes for me and my brother. I have worked hard in life ever since...

I married my lovely wife, we had children, as a full time mortgage broker I bought my first home, farmers porch and all, had two cars in the driveway, and too many credit cards. I put sweat equity into the house every single day for 9 months...that was in 2007. I achieved the American Dream.

Due to the housing crisis I lost it all. I lost my job as a mortgage broker, they foreclosed, one car was repossessed, we filed bankruptcy. I learned a very valuable lesson about what it means to be humble, and what leverage is! I also took a much deeper interest in the direction the markets were heading and what was happening in the upper levels of government...

Again, I worked hard every day. Today, I have a beautiful wife, 3 amazing children 10,11, and 16. I have a deep burning passion for this business, I work every single day towards it, I work full time in Medical IT, and I enjoy my family.

That is my story, I'm sorry for the length, but I truly wanted people to know who I am and what my motivations are. Considering my background, if I can do this, if I can get back on my horse and ride into the sunset a hero to my little ones, than any one of you can do it too. I would love to hear from the investors who frequent the site, how did you do it?