When I was 14, I started graphic design as a hobby and discovered I could make money with it! All of this happened in the early days of the user interface design fever, and while I was learning new tools and techniques, I tried to learn a bit of front-end to become a one-man band. After tons of freelancing, I decided to get involved with tech startups (around 2008). well, a lot happened, and after all these years, I've learned a mixture of design, leadership, product management, delivery, and customer experience.
What's the most valuable lesson that I've learned? Your team is everything; ideas are worth nothing, and most importantly: never put aside the hands-on approach.