Marcus Cantu, 27
VP, Engineering | Scalar
Was there a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today?
During my first year at Western Wyoming Community College, I developed a mobile game in my free time, independent from coursework. Looking back, the game was not great, nor was it technically complex, but once I submitted it to the app stores, I had the realization that, “It is possible.” I grew up in a small town in Wyoming without many opportunities to explore software engineering, but was influenced by the ethos of hard work and perseverance. That moment showed me that success in tech isn’t limited by geography or background; I could build and create just as much as anyone from a big city or a prestigious university. That mobile game gave me the confidence to explore new opportunities in areas I’m passionate about, which led to the founding and funding of my first company through the University of Wyoming Fisher Innovation Launchpad. Since then, new opportunities have continued to present themselves here in Utah. By stepping into them, holding myself to impossibly high standards, and executing on every task, I often think back to the app that started it all and remind myself that, “It is possible.”
What advice do you have for other young professionals?
Say yes more. Hold yourself to a higher standard. Ask yourself if the time you’re spending is progressing you towards your goals. Procrastinate less. Admit you don’t know what you don’t know and be a student. Celebrate often. Embrace failure. Challenge assumptions. Workout more and eat healthier. Give back without asking or expecting anything in return. From the wise words of one of my mentors, “Be a fountain not a drain.”
