Hi, I'm Kezie! I'm a writer and founder based in Los Angeles, CA. I use this space to write about ideas I'm chewing on, projects that are taking up my time, ...
I've spent my career split between tech startups and the arts, and I've noticed something fascinating: people in both worlds dramatically overestimate the threshold for "worthwhile" work. Not the bar for excellence – that's legitimately high – but the bar for creating something that helps others? It's probably lower than you imagine. Let me share three stories that changed my mind about this. A…
One of the most valuable lessons I've learned when it comes to fundraising or selling is to always ask for permission to make your pitch upfront. This approach not only respects the other person's time and decision-making process but also increases your chances of finding the right match and achieving your goals. I used to think the right approach was to convert cold contacts into warm ones…
"You know it's funny when it rains it pours, they got money for war, but can't feed the poor" - Tupac Shakur (1993) "Hey Panini, don't you be a meanie" - Lil Nas X (2019) A lone guitar strums softly as the duo takes the stage. They walk through a pair of brown batwing saloon doors solemnly but confidently, aware of the eyes of the audience in front of them and at home. One of the two is a familiar…
this is an essay I wrote in May of 2020 It’s funny how easily sudden misfortune can be reframed as beneficial. I was catching up with a friend on the phone for the first time since we were abruptly separated in the midst of our final college semester. He mentioned “how thrilled” he was to be in quarantine away from others; he found it not boring but exhilarating to be stuck by himself, a fantastic…
Friendships are an essential part of the human experience. They enrich our lives, provide emotional support, and often shape who we are. But have you ever pondered why some friendships fade while others flourish? Why does a bond formed during a summer vacation or a conference seem to evaporate once we return to our daily lives? These relationships, tied to particular moments or environments, are…