The Story Behind the Digital Empire Mindset
My journey into the digital world began with curiosity.
But long before I ever understood technology, there was someone who helped shape how I would eventually see the future.
My grandfather.
His name was Mr. Lawrence Cortez Washington, and he was an electrical engineer at Los Angeles International Airport.
At LAX, he was a Vietnam Veteran and was initially employed as a tree trimmer. He over came racism and became one of the first Black elevator mechanic engineer at LAX, and he helped create one of the airport’s most recognizable features — the moving walkway system that uses the same technology of the elevator to transports millions of travelers across the terminals every year.
He worked there for nearly thirty years in order to make a difference in the world.
But to me, he wasn’t just an engineer.
He was the closest thing I had to a father.
The Man Who Gave Me Everything
My grandfather spoiled and treated me like his own daughter.
He gave me anything I ever asked for and never asked for anything in return.
But the truth is, I never really wanted material things.
I only wanted time with him.
Looking back now, I realize how rare that kind of presence was as I wish God would have gave me more time with him.
He was patient, thoughtful, and curious about how the world worked.
And without realizing it, at the time, he was quietly shaping how I would see the future.
The First Computer
In the early 1990s, my grandfather introduced me to my first computer.
It was an early IBM machine running on DOS.
Technology was very different back then. As it looked like a bulky and heavy TV with a keyboard.
There were no YouTube tutorials.
No social media.
No instant answers.
Learning computers required patience.
He bought me floppy disk tutorials called The Video Professor, which slowly taught me how computers worked.
The internet itself was still in its early days.
Many people remember the sound of dial-up internet, where you couldn’t use the phone while you were online.
Communication on the internet mostly happened inside AOL chatrooms, long before platforms like Instagram or TikTok existed.
At the time, the digital world felt mysterious.
Everything was new.
And everyone was still trying to figure it out.
But something important was happening to me during those early experiences.
Curiosity was beginning to grow.
A Seed That Continued to Grow
My grandfather passed away from prostate cancer in 1994 when I was twelve years old.
He never told me he was sick or showed any signs of weakness as he worked as a bus driver until his last days in retirement.
As I got older, I realized why.
He was protecting my childhood memories.
Even though he was gone, the curiosity he sparked never left me and his hungry for knowledge has always been apart of me. And his vision for me to make a difference in the world became my soul purpose.
I continued exploring computers, technology, and the evolving digital world. And even continue to read the encyclopedias he left me
That curiosity followed me throughout my life.
Education and Unexpected Lessons
As I grew older, I pursued higher education.
I eventually earned:
• a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from California State University of Bakersfield.
• an Associate degree in Administration of Justice from Antelope Valley College.
• a certificate in Computerized Accounting from Fresno City College.
Interestingly, I never ended up working in those fields.
At first, that felt confusing as I felt I wasted my time.
But later I realized those degrees had given me something incredibly valuable.
They taught me how to write, think analytically, critically, do research, understand systems, ask questions, recognize structure and patterns.
Those same skills eventually helped me understand the digital world.
A New Era of Technology
Today we are living through another technological transformation.
Artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and online tools are reshaping how people work, create, and build opportunities.
For many people, these changes feel overwhelming.
But when I look at the digital world, I see something different.
I see possibility.
Technology does not remove opportunity from people.
It multiplies opportunity for those who are curious enough to understand it.
The Birth of the Digital Empire Mindset
That belief eventually became the foundation of my philosophy.
I call it The Digital Empire Mindset.
The Digital Empire Mindset is the idea that curiosity about technology can open doors to new opportunities in the digital age.
It is built on three simple principles:
Curiosity
Exploration
Creation
Curiosity encourages people to learn.
Exploration encourages people to experiment with technology.
Creation allows individuals to turn ideas into real opportunities.
Why Curiosity Matters Now
The digital age is still unfolding.
New technologies and tools are emerging every year.
The people who remain curious will always have an advantage.
Because curiosity leads to discovery.
And discovery leads to opportunity.
Welcome to the Digital Empire
This newsletter is a place where I explore:
• technology and innovation
• digital entrepreneurship
• AI tools and emerging platforms
• the mindset needed to navigate the digital world
If you’re curious about how technology is shaping the future, you’re in the right place.
Because the digital age isn’t something to fear.
It’s something to explore.
And the people who stay curious will be the ones who shape what comes next.
Creator of the Digital Empire Mindset
Curiosity Creates Opportunity in the Digital Age.
If your are curious enough on how to start your own digital empire and generate passive income. And you need some ideas to get started. Download my 101 digital product ideas (free)
If you'd like to explore more of my writing about technology and curiosity, you can read my articles.