The Story Behind Milestones – A Celebration of Life's Moments
For the past five years, I’ve been on a whirlwind journey—one filled with goals, challenges, and transitions. Moving from aerospace engineering into data science may sound like a well-worn path, but for me, it was a personal mountain to climb. With certifications from institutions like MIT and Stanford, and finally completing a master’s in Business Analytics from Carnegie Mellon, it was an intense period. Balancing family life with two kids, a full-time job, and the rigors of academia was no easy feat. It was all-consuming. I was trapped in the grind, the hustle, the never-ending push that’s part of Seattle’s DNA. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that mindset—I believe in hard work—but somewhere along the way, I felt like I was losing myself.
After the dust settled and the degree was in hand, I found myself searching for something more—something that could represent all that I had sacrificed and achieved, not just for me, but for my family too. I bought an expensive watch, a token of success, but after a while, it felt hollow. It wasn’t about me; it was about the brand. It didn’t tell my story, and it certainly didn’t honor the effort that had gotten me here.
That’s when the spark for Milestones was born.
Milestones, the first watch
With some experience in watchmaking—what started as a hobby to keep my engineering mind at peace—I decided to create something more personal. I wanted a timepiece that would remind me of the journey, the sacrifices, and the moments of celebration that marked my life. I realized that I didn’t need a brand to tell my story—I could build something that would do that for me.
Milestones is that something. It’s not just a watch; it’s a celebration of life’s moments, big and small. Each watch is handcrafted with care, made to reflect not only the achievements you want to commemorate but also the quiet, everyday victories. It’s a reminder that life is not about perfection; it’s about embracing the beauty in the imperfections. Every scratch, every detail is part of your story—it’s not a flaw, it’s a feature.
The motto, “The Effort is the Reward,” became central to Milestones. It came from reflecting on the years of hard work, struggle, and perseverance—things that are often overlooked in favor of the destination. But the real magic happens in the journey, in the everyday grind. The sacrifices we make, the lessons we learn, the struggles we overcome—those are the true rewards. And every Milestones watch is a reminder of that truth.
“The Effort is the Reward”
I realized that I wasn’t alone in wanting a reminder of those sacrifices. Friends, family, and even strangers started asking about the watch I made, and soon, I found myself creating timepieces for others—people who also wanted to celebrate their personal milestones.
Milestones is more than a watchmaker. We’re here to honor the everyday moments—the big wins, the setbacks, and everything in between. Each watch is made by hand, with the intention that every time you look at it, you’re reminded of the journey that brought you to where you are. It's a small act of rebellion against the grind, a way of saying, “I see you. I see your effort.”
So, when you wear a Milestones watch, you’re not just telling time; you’re celebrating your story. And that’s what this brand is all about—celebrating the beauty in imperfection, embracing the journey, and knowing that the effort itself is the reward.
This is just the beginning of the Milestones journey. In future posts, I’ll dive deeper into the story behind our motto and why stopping to acknowledge life’s milestones is so important. For now, I invite you to stop and reflect on your own story—because it’s worth celebrating.
