Nick Close reflects on his journey from uncertain college freshman to director of strategy and analytics, sharing how a failed exam, a love for learning, and a knack for Excel shaped his path. He opens up about the power of mentorship, the value of trying (and failing at) new things, and how storytelling plays a vital role in his data-driven career. This episode is a thoughtful, funny, and inspiring look at how growth often starts with not having it all figured out.