Smash Notes
Jason Preston on startups, kids, and making a Dent in the universe.

Geek at Sea

Jason Preston on startups, kids, and making a Dent in the universe.

Jason is a co-founder of Dent , a company that creates and supports a community of entrepreneurs, executives, and creatives who are driven to “put a dent in the universe.” He lives in Seattle with his wife Monica Guzman, the founder of The Evergrey , and together they are raising two adorable multilingual kids. We sat down to talk about their startup…

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Notes

  1. What Is Something People Don't Tell You Before Having Kids at 6:35

    You want to send your child to the best school possible, but they don’t tell you how expensive schools are. Full answer

  2. How Does Keeping an Enforced Routine Help When Parenting at 13:50

    Kids are the ones to enforce routine because they need it. Full answer

  3. How Did Jason and Monica Juggle Work Without School? at 23:05

    Jason and Monica tried a little bit of everything, which included taking time off, hiring a nanny, having kids going to daycare, and a little bit more of… Full answer

  4. What Bilingual Parenting Tips Does Jason Preston Give? at 24:49

    Jason Preston tells Geek at Sea that the first tip is immersion. His wife, Monica Guzman, has parents nearby who speak Spanish. Full answer

  5. Why Is Jason’s Start Up Called Dent at 31:39

    It’s inspired by a Steve Jobs’ quote, “We’re going to put a dent in the universe.” Full answer

  6. Why Is a Beach Vacation With Young Kids No Vacation? at 34:59

    When you have young kids and you go on a beach vacation, somewhere nice, you don't actually get any vacation time. Full answer

  7. How Will Knowledge of Technology Help Kids in Their Future at 42:03

    Jason believes that the more native his kids are to technology, the better their prospects for the future will be. Full answer

  8. Has Your Doctor Talked to You About How to Talk to Your 3 Year-old About Certain Things at 43:24

    Perhaps you shouldn't, but you actually should, teach your 3 year-old about when certain things are okay. Full answer

  9. What Certain Things Do You Get Used to When Being a Parent at 44:39

    You start to feel responsibility to right the wrong things, even if your children aren’t watching you. Full answer

  10. Why Does Jason Preston Refuse to Tell His Kids Because I Said So? at 50:16

    Jason Preston tells Geek at Sea that negotiating with his children, over dessert, TV time, or a trip to the zoo, is more work than a flat order. Full answer

  11. What Does Jason Preston Call Parenting's Worst Part? at 54:57

    Jason Preston, co-founder of Dent, tells Geek at Sea that the worst part of parenting is not laughing when a child is being funny on purpose. Full answer

  12. What Are Some Last Thoughts About Startups and Parenting at 56:41

    In the span of the 30 years, so many societal changes are happening. Doing life requires compromise from all of us. Full answer

  13. What Do You Think People Have to Look Forward to When Having Kids at 1:04:40

    Having a kid is the biggest Dent there is. Tickling your kid is the definition of joy— seriously! Full answer

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