Some people find their calling in the most unexpected places. For Kevin, it started with cameras at blockchain conferences and evolved into building communities that shape the future of decentralized technology. What began as a side hobby capturing moments at Bitcoin conferences has transformed into a mission to help developers worldwide enter the exciting world of Web3.
Kevin’s story is one of curiosity, persistence, and genuine passion for helping others succeed. From his early days as a Site Reliability Engineer to becoming a leading voice in developer education, his journey shows how technical skills combined with community spirit can create lasting impact in the rapidly evolving blockchain space.
Today, as a Developer Relations professional at The Graph Protocol, Kevin builds something more valuable than applications: pathways for other developers to follow. Through workshops, educational content, and his upcoming Genesys platform, he’s making Web3 accessible to newcomers.
His approach is refreshingly practical. Rather than getting lost in complex theories, Kevin focuses on hands on learning and real world building. This philosophy has helped hundreds of developers take their first steps into Web3, turning curiosity into career changing skills.
This conversation with Kevin reveals the human side of blockchain development. We explore his journey from traditional web applications to smart contracts, the challenges that almost made him quit, and the communities that kept him going. Most importantly, we discuss his vision for making Web3 more accessible to developers everywhere.
The Interview: Kevin on Building Communities in Web3
1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
Kevin: My name is Kevin, and I was born in California, USA. I’ve been passionate about technology since I was a young child. I’m also a photographer, DJ, and father of two boys.
2. What were you doing before Web3?
Kevin: I worked for about three years as a Site Reliability Engineer at YellowPages.com, then helped build and launch NGINX in the US as a Solutions Engineer and Product Specialist. I also began my journey into Web3 as a professional photographer, covering events like Bitcoin Conference, ETH Denver, and ETHGlobal Hackathons around the world.
3. How did you first hear about Web3?
Kevin: I remember hearing about Bitcoin in its early days and shrugged it off like most of us did. However, my interest really grew when I witnessed the Ethereum rally in 2017. I was amazed to learn that you could build fully decentralized and unstoppable applications on the EVM, and I was instantly hooked!
4. What was your first step into the space?
Kevin: I had been doing photography in the space for a long time, and in my off time, I began learning through SpeedRunEthereum and using Scaffold-ETH. I was amazed at how enjoyable writing smart contracts was and wanted to teach others. I started creating YouTube videos and conducting workshops for my current company about Ethereum and Web3, which led me down the rabbit hole. Eventually, I was fortunate enough to meet Austin Griffith, who really helped me reach the next level and welcomed me into the BuidlGuidl to help support builders in the space. Since then, I’ve given over 100 workshops on Scaffold-ETH and SpeedRunEthereum and helped countless developers enter the space.
5. What was one big challenge you faced early on?
Kevin: Understanding the tooling differences between traditional web applications and blockchain-based applications was one of the biggest challenges. I found that diving into the EVM and understanding its core components really helped elevate my understanding of how smart contracts are executed under the hood.
6. What helped you push through?
Kevin: Excellent videos by Austin Griffith, Nader Dabit, Patrick Collins, and Smart Contract Programmer really helped me overcome the hurdle of building onchain applications. Additionally, having a starter kit like Scaffold-ETH made it much easier to get started building, as I could abstract some of the EVM nuances and return to them later when I needed to dive deeper.
7. What are you most proud of so far in your journey?
Kevin: I’m proud that I can help others achieve the same success I’ve experienced. I believe that building a community for builders is the best way for me to contribute to the space. This is why I’m launching Genesys, a community where developers can come together and build the next wave of onchain applications.
8. Any major failure or learning moment?
Kevin: I think learning is something you have to do constantly. I’ve always tried to consistently push myself to try new things and stay ahead of major setbacks. However, there have been many times when I lost energy and experienced burnout. This is the most critical point in your journey. You just have to take some time for yourself, then push through and remember why you’re here.
9. What advice would you give to someone just starting out in Web3?
Kevin: Don’t be afraid to try things you wouldn’t normally feel comfortable doing. There have been many times when I started working on a codebase and realized it was going to be much more difficult than I had anticipated, but going through that process taught me a lot and elevated my knowledge.
10. Where can people find or follow your work?
Kevin: You can find me on X at https://x.com/cryptomastery_ , on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@cryptomastery_ , and on Genesys at https://www.genesysapp.xyz/user/0x89480c2e67876650b48622907ff5c48a569a36c7
Kevin’s journey reminds us that the most impactful contributions in Web3 often come from those who combine technical expertise with a genuine desire to help others. His transition from capturing blockchain events through a camera lens to actively building developer relations at The Graph Protocol and creating communities shows how diverse backgrounds can create unique value in this space.
Through his work at The Graph Protocol, Genesys, and his educational efforts, Kevin continues to lower the barriers for developers entering Web3. His story proves that sometimes the best way to master something is to teach it to others, creating a cycle of learning and growth that benefits the entire ecosystem.
Want to build, learn, and grow in the Web3 space alongside like-minded developers? Join the BlockchainHQ community where builders share knowledge, collaborate on projects, and support each other’s growth. Sign up from here: https://blockchainhq.xyz/auth and follow us on X https://x.com/blockchainhqxyz to become part of our invite only Telegram community where the real conversations happen
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