This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. It is difficult to maintain hobbies when so much of our life is consumed by work. But can these hobbies turn into something more?

Stephen is the Director of Analytics at Speek, a company dedicated to making conference calls more productive. Before graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in 2007, he had his first taste of the business world by running a small tutoring organization. Stephen graduated with a BA in Math and an MS in Commerce from UVA in 2011. He spent a couple of years in a full time position with MITRE, while juggling various side projects in his spare time, such as data analytics consulting. One of those side projects lead to his current full time position at Speek. He loves the versatility of working at a startup and uses data to make decisions in product design, sales, marketing, and operations. Stephen enjoys snowboarding, wrestling his dog, and shouting at his Xbox One when it doesn't recognize his voice commands.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)