I founded Data Prep U in 2018 after spending years watching finance professionals struggle with the same problem: training programs that felt more like compliance obligations than actual skill-building. Too many teams were stuck in sessions that checked boxes but left them just as confused about their tools when they returned to work. I wanted to create something different, an independent practice focused entirely on hands-on, practical instruction without the overhead and sales pressure of traditional consulting firms.
Over time, that work evolved. The more I helped finance and analytics teams get more out of their tools, the clearer it became that the real problem wasn’t just training, it was the software itself. Too many small businesses were paying monthly fees for platforms they didn’t fully control, couldn’t customize, and couldn’t afford to leave. The work naturally shifted toward building open source business infrastructure that gives small business owners real ownership over their data, their workflows, and their tools.
Today, Data Prep U delivers automation, reporting, and AI-driven infrastructure built for small businesses that are tired of renting software that doesn’t serve them. Every engagement is fully hosted and maintained by Data Prep U directly, every workflow is built to last, and every client gets direct access to a human with 20 years of experience…and who actually built their system.
When I’m not building or supporting client systems, you’ll find me with my family in Colorado, doing all the Colorado things: hiking, camping, skiing, and mountain biking. That balance keeps me grounded and reminds me why this work matters, helping people spend less time managing software and more time doing what they actually love.