For my eighth-grade graduation, my parents gave me a basic 10-gallon aquarium.
I quickly became obsessed with freshwater fish—not just the common pet store varieties like neon tetras and angelfish, but also more unusual species like elephant-nose fish and upside-down catfish. My fascination led me to devour books and academic papers, work in a fish store, visit wholesalers, meet fishermen, and observe fish in the wild under the guidance of local experts during my travels. I kept over a dozen tanks, experimenting with recreating natural aquatic habitats.
As I learned more, I began questioning the sustainability of the aquarium trade. What role did fish-keepers play in conservation? What was happening to the wild habitats of these species?
Armed with a throw net, I caught and identified fish in rivers, oxbow lakes, and estuaries wherever I could. The fish often seemed healthy, but their habitats were in decline. I saw rivers polluted with chemicals and mining waste, clouded by soil erosion from deforestation, choked with logs from tree-cutting, and overfished to depletion. Some waterways were lifeless. At fish markets, the vacant-eyed specimens left me uneasy.
When I finished my book, I sold it to a specialty publisher for a pittance, eager just to see it in print. I was too naive to realize their true intent—to keep it off the market. Fortunately, my father and I had included a clause ensuring that if the book wasn’t published, the rights would revert to me. When that happened, I turned the text into a website, which steadily grew in popularity.
That experience laid the foundation for my research skills, writing discipline, and ultimately, my entrepreneurial spirit. It taught me valuable lessons:
- Curiosity is a powerful driver of knowledge.
- Deep research and firsthand experience build credibility.
- Passion can evolve into purpose.
- Failure often provides unexpected opportunities.
Looking back, I see how that early project shaped my approach to building Mongabay. It started with an obsession, a question, and a willingness to dive in.
