I recently came across a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, often considered the father of American literature:

“Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

I am no Emerson, and my writing will surely prove that. But this quote perfectly captures the essence of NOTOM. We are building a brand that celebrates the spirit of exploration—the courage to take the road less traveled.

It’s about facing the unknown, stepping beyond comfort, and doing the thing that scares us. Because when we look back, we won’t regret the risks we took—we’ll regret the ones we didn’t.

This journey has been humbling. There’s little comfort in it for me—including writing this journal. But I had to leave the path. Because the only way to create something meaningful is to walk where my footsteps have never been before—and hopefully leave a trail.

- Devin