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In college, all students hear the phrase, “say yes to everything” at least once. Some take advantage of this advice, others don't, and some prefer not to be involved as much. Everyone approaches their college experience differently.

This is what happens when you say yes to��everything.

As an undergraduate student in the engineering school, doesn't initially appear to be someone involved with the Deming Center. Fast forward 12 years, and they’ve practically adopted him as their own. The bigger question with Fletcher isn’t what programs he did, it’s what he didn’t.

"I participated in basically everything. Like, you name it, I was a participant, or an organizer, or a leading person around—New Venture Challenge, Startup Summer, anything that was happening."

Fletcher’s involvement with the Deming Center was monumental. He co-created multiple programs that are flourishing today. His ambitious ability to be a part of something bigger is what contributed to his success in school and now his career. Right out of college, at age 23, he immediately gained valuable experience in the venture capital world as an associate at Galvanize Ventures. Already, he had created a foundation and a mindset that would define his life. So what gave him the confidence to do all of this?��

A Foundation Rooted in Engagement

For Fletcher, the confidence came not from already knowing what he wanted to do, but from the process of trying everything and forcing himself to figure it out along the way. He described how saying yes to opportunities eventually pushed him to his limit, which then required him to prioritize. It showed him that not every door needed to stay open forever. He could experiment widely, then commit deeply when he found the work that energized him most. By leaning into the discomfort of doing more than seemed possible, he discovered what truly mattered and built the self-belief to keep going.

That shift in mindset became obvious in the way Fletcher approached CU’s entrepreneurial programs. New Venture Challenge, for instance, gave him a platform to practice pitching and refine ideas, but what he cherishes most about it is the opportunity to sharpen his skills in public speaking and other areas he wasn't previously familiar with. The repeated exposure to high-pressure settings pushed him to grow in ways he never expected, and over time, he began to see these programs not as extracurriculars but as steps toward becoming the type of leader who could create something new.

took that growth a step further. Fletcher today describes the program as a fantastic alternative to spending a summer in a conventional internship. He chose an environment where he could absorb lessons directly from founders and mentors while building real relationships. The program was demanding, balancing daytime work with evening workshops, but he thrived in the intensity. He reflects on how the people he met there remain some of his most meaningful connections, proof that the entrepreneurial community he was diving into would continue to shape his career long after graduation.

These are just a few of the vast programs he participated in. What’s most notable about his journey through them is the hard and soft skills he acquired. From public speaking to networking to learning how to build something from scratch, Fletcher’s story provides a clear blueprint for getting involved.

Building What Others Only Imagined

Participating in programs is one thing, but Fletcher took his involvement a step further by building long-lasting initiatives as well. Fletcher’s ability to come up with ideas and create something meaningful for others is perhaps his best asset.��

During his senior year, the Deming Center had attempted to create a co-working space for students but was unable to secure a suitable space or funding. That’s where Fletcher came in. Partnering with , he used a location he had already found and worked on turning it into the desired space Deming was looking for. They brought it to life, later becoming known as Spark Boulder, and while it eventually became a separate non-profit outside of CU, it remained close with Deming.

It didn’t stop there. Riding that momentum, he played perhaps the largest role in the creation of Catalyze CU, a summer-long startup accelerator designed for �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder ventures. Catalyze �鶹��Ѱ�����demonstrated how summer programs could succeed, and it became widely popular among students.��

Catalyze CU began when CU’s engineering school and the Deming Center researched accelerator models at other universities and set out to launch one of their own. With his connections, he played a central role in bringing it to life, and funding from both schools made the program possible. From the start, it showed promise, and its very first cohort included Shinesty, a clothing brand that would go on to gain national recognition.

Additionally, it's worth noting that Fletcher co-founded , one of the largest Tedx organizations in the nation. These accomplishments and experiences quickly propelled him into a career, working at a Techstars-backed startup as a growth engineer. The position involved marketing and data analytics, areas Fletcher wasn't particularly familiar with. But, using his adaptability skills he had developed over the years, he thrived, largely contributing to the growth of the company. At age 23, he would then move to Galvanize Ventures, where he gained experience in the venture capital world, setting him up for the creation of his own venture.

Now, Fletcher is taking his talents to the next level with Stealth, an AI platform that transforms study materials into flashcards. Not only does this business reflect his passion for education, but it is also a culmination of the skills he learned over the years. Connections, adaptability, public speaking, pitching - the list goes on - but most notably his ability to construct things from the ground up. It’s the same mindset that carried him through CU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, now channeled into creating tools that help others learn and grow.

The Value of The Student Card

Many believe being a student hinders chances for opportunities, thinking that reaching out to executives or people in dream positions won't be worth their time. Fletcher preaches the opposite, stating that being a student actually opens those doors, and it's time to take advantage.

“I played up the fact that I was a student to my advantage. I think a lot of students often think that being a student is a disadvantage. But it actually can get you in the door into a lot of things that you otherwise wouldn't be able to.”

For Fletcher, the “student card” became that secret advantage—an excuse to reach out and gain access to people who might otherwise have been unreachable. He sees it as a unique window of time when curiosity is not only acceptable but welcomed. By leaning into that identity, he built relationships and opportunities that laid the foundation for everything that followed.

Fletcher’s story proves that entrepreneurship isn’t reserved for those with the perfect idea or endless resources. It can simply start by saying yes and following through. Then, through involvement and connections, it can grow. This can be a campus program, a startup, or even banana bread for your neighbors, but the real lesson is to start where you are and make it happen.��

The only question left is: what will you say yes to?