Two-time founder & award-winning designer. I talk about founders' mental health and the mindset to live a joyful life. I love fixing old motorcycles 🛵

I’m a two-time founder and award-winning design director with a proven track record of leading teams to successfully bring over 50 innovative physical and digital products to market.

With 20+ years of experience across startups, consultancies, and corporate settings, I’ve developed a holistic approach that combines creative design thinking, operational and manufacturing expertise, and emotional intelligence to drive innovation and team success.

Today, I serve as Director of Products at Grizzly Industrial, where I lead three brands: Grizzly, Shop Fox, and South Bend, overseeing product strategy, design, merchandising, pricing, logistics, and development.

In parallel, I continue to coach a select group of founders and leaders, placing emotional intelligence at the core of my work to empower better decision-making, stronger collaboration, and sustainable growth. 

I also write regularly:

Advise Myself → essays on emotional intelligence and personal growth

The Design Practice → essays on product management, design, and leadership


Originally from Argentina 🇦🇷 and now based in Bellingham, WA, I enjoy life as a dad, exploring the outdoors, and restoring old motorcycles 🛵 🏍️.

Career Highlights include:

 ➜ Founded and led two startups, including one exit in 2022.
 ➜ Directed the design and launch of 50+ products across industries.
 ➜ Earned 35 patents for innovative product designs.
 ➜ Exhibited twice at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), with one design in its permanent collection.
 ➜ Created products that won more than 75 major design awards.
 ➜ Founded and built a design consultancy serving global brands such as Crate & Barrel, CB2, Club Quarters Hotels, and Herman Miller.
 ➜ Established overseas manufacturing operations for multiple clients.

Manuel Saez

DapIt: Buy and Sell Gift Cards

DapIt started off as an idea while vacationing with my family for my birthday. As tourists, we didn’t know the area and so were walking around looking for a local place to eat. In strolling down the main strip, we happened upon a little local restaurant that looked like it could be worth a try. We walked in and were seated, so naturally began checking-in and posting on social media. In our excitement, our friends and family started asking if they could buy us a drink or appetizer from the restaurant. Thinking it would be possible, I told them to give the restaurant a call or check the website. Unfortunately, when our friends called, they were informed that payment couldn’t be taken over the phone. Just then, I had an “a-ha” moment… Why can’t businesses offer gift cards so that friends and family can buy and send gift cards at any moment… and from any location?

Chief Executive Officer

MyCali Designs

Designer, MySql, PHP, jQuery, HTML5, Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator, Marketing, SEO

Qualxserv

PC Technician

Service, Repair, maintenance on all customer equipment.

Customer Engineer

I am married to my beautiful wife, Pauline for over 22 years. And the father of 16-year-old twins that make me smile every day. I love my family. They are my daily inspiration to work hard and to never give up.

I started my first company over eleven years ago, after a long run in the corporate world. The journey since then has been eye-opening and rewarding.

taplio

The Battle

Manuel Saez

Cesar Torres

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