Meet David Dennis

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Dennis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.

David, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My work ethic comes from my parents. My father was one of the early software entrepreneurs in the Silicon Valley, starting his first company in 1972. He always had time from family but worked very hard and smart. He retired at 54 and he my mother have dedicated themselves to ocean conservation causes. They’ve also been docents at the Monterey Bay Aquarium for more than 25 years. They’ve been incredible role models for me, my brother, and many others.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m co-founder of Ventana Surfboards & Supplies and a product manager at Microsoft, where I work on Outlook.com. My journey has been a unique blend of entrepreneurship and corporate product management, which has allowed me to bring diverse perspectives to both roles.

At Ventana, we’re all about the love for the ocean and the art of surfing. We create surfboards that are surfable works of art made from storied wood. We use reclaimed and recycled materials, turning what was once considered waste into something beautiful and functional.

In my role at Microsoft, I focus on making Outlook.com the best it can be. It’s thrilling to be part of a team that impacts millions of users worldwide, constantly innovating to improve their experience.

As for what’s new, at Ventana we’re always working on our next masterpiece or product idea. Most recently, we’ve invented a pocket amplifier for musicians on the go that is built using reclaimed wood – https://ventanawave.com/amp,

At Microsoft, we’re continually rolling out updates to make Outlook.com even better. The investments we’ve made in improving productivity with our Microsoft Copilot artificial capabilities are among the most significant and impressive I’ve seen in my 25+ years working in tech.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey, the three qualities that have been most impactful are adaptability, passion, and continuous learning.

Adaptability: In both the entrepreneurial and corporate world, things change rapidly. Being able to adapt to new situations, whether it’s a change in market trends at Ventana or a new feature rollout at Microsoft, has been crucial.

Passion: I believe that you need to love what you do. My passion for surfing and technology drives me to put my heart into my work. Your work won’t always enjoyable, and earning a living is more important than being passionate every day, but having some love for your work keeps you going in the tougher times.

Continuous Learning: The world is always evolving, and there’s always something new to learn. Staying curious and open to new knowledge has helped me stay ahead of the curve.

For those early in their journey, my advice would be to cultivate these qualities. Be open to change, find what you love and let it drive you, and never stop learning. Each challenge is an opportunity to grow, so embrace them and keep moving forward.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
For me, going surfing helps a ton. Taking a break and getting some sort of exercise helps reset the brain, and getting out in nature has proven to be very effective in reducing stress. When I’m particularly overwhelmed my wife tends to notice and tells me to stop what I’m doing and go surfing. Having her support helps a lot, as well.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Ventana Surfboards & Supplies Salty Breeze Surf Art & Photography

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