Chris Matthieu
Computes, Inc.
Phoenix, AZ USA
"Find a problem that inspires you to want to solve it."
Career Roadmap
Chris's work combines: Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Building Things
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
Get involved in your school's robotics and IoT STEM programs. Pay attention in your linear algebra math classes - these will be important for your machine learning opportunities. Doing what you love doesn't have to feel like work. Trying to change the world is more of a lifestyle than a job. Everything can be fun and exciting. It is what you make of it...
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Business Administration and Management, General
Northern Arizona University
Bachelor's Degree
Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance
Northern Arizona University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
My fascination with computers and technology began at 10 years old, when I helped my stepfather build and program a computer.
2.
Inspired by the movie “WarGames,” I decided to build my own version of the wardialer—that entailed hacking into some of AT&T’s computer systems...and getting me into a lot of trouble.
3.
In order to be supportive of my interests, my mom began “loaning” me money to buy new technology, which I would pay off by mowing lawns and doing other chores.
4.
Attended Northern Arizona University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in business and computer information systems.
5.
After graduating, I got job offers to work for IBM and Accenture—and decided to turn down what I thought was my dream job at IBM in order to work at Accenture.
6.
Got an opportunity to move to Indiana to work for the Hoosier Lottery and later became the chief information officer for the Arizona Lottery.
7.
Started my own company, which automated phone calls for banks and other businesses, and later I began pioneering the use of APIs for the telecom industry.
8.
To date, I have started four companies including Octoblu—which was my stab at building Skynet from the “Terminator” movies—and now Computes, Inc., the world’s first mesh computing platform.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
What do you mean you want to build Skynet from the Terminator? That is fiction, you can't do that.
How I responded:
Every time someone says I can't do something, I want to prove them wrong. It is a constant quest to figure out how to do things. Once you do figure it out, that ends up leading you to another idea and on and on. I just keep pushing the limit and that creates excitement around what I'm doing. This can ultimately inspire other people to become invested in what you are doing and it becomes sort of contagious.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I had to put myself through school with the help of a lot of loans. I couldn't even afford a car, so I began buying busted motorcycles for transportation, fixing them up, and selling them to pay for things like books, etc.
As a business owner and entrepreneur, it is always hard to know when it is time to quit and pursue something else. You also struggle with the "what if" mentality. You just have to learn to go with your gut.