“Crisis is opportunity.” You’ve probably heard that catch phrase numerous times. The word crisis evokes for me an anxiety-producing event, such as a financial/job loss, a breakup, a health problem, or political instability. However, when I look up the word on Dictionary.com, it reads, “a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, especially for better or for worse, is determined; a turning point.”

Alex Oana and I first met at St. Olaf College, back when I was a music student (clarinet/saxophone) and Alex an aspiring sound engineer. Alex recently launched his company and eponymous product, Audio Test Kitchen. St. Olaf Alumni Magazine gave me the opportunity to...