For 6 years, 2 in college, 1 in Silicon Valley, the rest in Chicago, I poured everything I had into building a tech company named Resonado Labs as the marketing and design lead. With support from an incredible network of industry leaders and investors, we engineered a high-performance audio technology, developed a strong IP portfolio, recruited a talented team, licensed the tech to top manufacturers, made it accessible to consumers, and secured multiple contracts with the US Department of Defense to innovate tactical communication systems for the Air Force and Special Forces.

In the summer of 2023, I moved on.

In 2017, as a junior at the University of Notre Dame, I was at a crossroads. I’d discovered the medium of photography — it was an instant, deep love. I spent nights and weekends in the studio, quickly becoming the go-to photographer on campus. I was asked to shoot my photography professor’s wedding, considered an internship at a commercial studio that I'd been recommended to by the Art Department Chair, and had my work selected to hang on the walls of Notre Dame buildings. Visual arts had always been a passion even before college — I was the youngest artist ever to have work chosen for exhibition at my hometown gallery.

Then, while still considering that internship at the commercial studio, I encountered Resonado, a startup aiming to disrupt loudspeakers. Another instant love. I chose to venture out of my comfort zone, joined as the third cofounder, helped launch a Kickstarter, and the rest is history.

In the summer of 2023, I took a step onto the path I’d previously walked away from.

I began working on Misfits Labs, an independent creative studio in Chicago dedicated to exploring and enriching the human condition through visual art and design.

I officially launched and announced the company in the spring of 2024, laser focused on one simple daily mission: to create great images at a profit, if we can. At a loss, if we must. But always great images.

I chose the name Misfits Labs because my entire life, I’ve felt like an outsider. I’ve been called different. Odd. Eccentric. A black sheep. These labels used to weigh on me — until I discovered others like me: founders and creatives. Then, my story shifted from one of struggling to fit in to one of working to stay free and helping others do the same.

Don’t let the world define you — craft your own story, with Images by Misfits.

— E