Steven W Oakes

I’m an entrepreneur and investor based in San Diego, California, with a lifelong passion for building and supporting companies that deliver exceptional products and seamless customer experiences. From humble beginnings to navigating a wide range of industries, my path reflects creativity, tenacity, and a relentless push to tackle tough challenges—always seeking the road less traveled and viewing problems through fresh, multifaceted lenses.

My Roots and Early Drive

Born and raised in San Diego by a nurse and a landscaper, I grew up with a strong work ethic and a desire to help others. That entrepreneurial spark ignited early—and got me sent to the principal's office. Apparently buying collectible trading cards for games that were popular with the kids at school and selling them to other students at recess was looked down upon. From bartering at recess to lemonade stands, mowing lawns, photography... whatever it took I tried it all - driven to make enough money to pay to play on club sports teams. Eventually seizing a lucky break to sell excess inventory online from an extended relative's business than went under in 2008. Those small wins evolved into something bigger: bootstrapping my first real company during high school. 

A Diverse Path of Innovation

That real-world education I received so early in life set the stage for a career spanning industries from fitness equipment, health foods, nutrition and supplementation, medical device development, defense sector innovations, manufacturing, machine-learning vision systems, access control and security, crypto, conversational AI platforms (chatbots), and business operations software. Each venture has been a chance to learn, adapt, and refine my approach. What ties them all together? A relentless focus on quality and a belief that great products and experiences improve lives.

My Philosophy

Long nights in industries I never expected to explore taught me a powerful truth: we’re each the protagonist of our own story, with a responsibility—to ourselves and the world—to chase what fires us up and support the people around you. For me, passion wasn't a package left on my doorstep; it was forged through necessity, sustained by effort, and is fueled by progress. I find it by diving into overlooked or stagnant industries with fresh eyes, tackling problems others deem unsolvable, and crafting creative solutions that stick. That relentless drive—to transform bold ideas into tangible realities, one breakthrough at a time—is the force that propels me forward.

Innovation: Simplicity Meets Complexity

I’m drawn to the elegance of simplicity—whether it’s a consumable product with a short, clean ingredient list that’s easier on the body, or a user interface that feels intuitive and uncluttered. There’s beauty and even comfort in stripping things down to their essentials. But I also recognize that some challenges demand more intricate solutions. In fields like tech, healthcare, or engineering, groundbreaking innovation often relies on complex systems—sophisticated software, cutting-edge hardware, or a seamless blend of both. I value the clarity of simple design and the power of complex creation, and I’m excited by the potential of each.

What I Do Now

Today, I build and invest in companies that align with my values: quality and impact. Whether I’m mentoring founders, advising as a board member, identifying market gaps and building teams to launch new companies, rolling up my sleeves to solve operational challenges or meet with clients to sell what we've created, I’m all in.

Steven currently resides in San Diego, California

Email   Steven@stevenwoakes.com