Overview, Who is Erik?
I've been a DIY entrepreneur for 30 years. I've been a cook, a schoolteacher, and a wooden fence builder. Most of my practical experience is related to marketing and e-commerce.
I grew up in a town of 100 people in Minnesota farm country, but have since traveled extensively as a 'digital nomad.'
I like to explore ideas, learn about the world, create cool new things, and help friends to monetize their projects.
I enjoy organizing events that help to foster the development and nourishment of communities.
I studied history, politics, leadership, management, educational theory, law and economics in college and graduate school while working on political campaigns focused on the issues of income inequality, free and fair elections, and lifting up marginalized groups.
Student-Centered Teaching, Handcrafted Furniture
After college, I rebooted a distance learning program for at-risk high school students. My program offered flexible curriculum that students could complete at their own pace.
My work was successful enough to create net positive revenue for the school district, and helped students to catch up on credits so that they could graduate on time.
My primary work of the past 20 years has been helping a traditional Amish community in Minnesota to sell their beautiful handmade customized furniture online, providing their community with over $15 million in revenue based on a handshake agreement.
Working in the Health and Fitness Industry
More recently, I've been working with friends in the health and fitness industry to increase revenues and make money online.
I really enjoy this work, but it's become increasingly challenging in the age of business lockdowns and rapidly shifting content restrictions.
So I've been exploring new projects in other niches/industries.