Timeline

A chronological record of documented events. This timeline is densest in the period from January to April 2026, when Amy's life was most actively recorded.

Before 2013

• Born December 28, 2000.
• Lived in Guilderland, New York (near Albany).
• August 2011: Earliest documented email. Ten-year-old Amy sends her mother Sue a flower garden app notification.
• Old friend Jessa Smith ("miss ya") from Guilderland.

2013-2014 (The Move)

• Family moves from Guilderland to Peoria, Illinois (7207 N Wescott Ct). Amy is thirteen.
• Father Jason takes position at UIC College of Medicine in Peoria.
• April 20, 2014: Family dog Teddy arrives. First new member of the household in the new city.

2014-2019 (Peoria / Dunlap High School)

• Online identity at ~14: Twitter @amyzh0u, Facebook "Pas Tel," ourWorld username "pretzel," email signature "❅Amy Zhou❅," Maze Runner fixation (Ki Hong Lee/Minho).
• ~2015-2016: Mother Sue dies. Amy is fifteen.
• 2015-2016: Applied to Interlochen Arts Academy full year-round boarding program (Music). Sue cc'd on every application. Ultimately stayed at Dunlap HS.
• June 21, 2017: At Interlochen Clarinet Institute. "she can't believe she got to meet Emil Khudyev, Boris Allakhverdyan, David Gould, and Stephen Williamson." Serious clarinet kid, time of her life.
• Music posts across years: UIUC, ISYM, Krannert, Interlochen, Bartók quartet, Prairie Winds, last marching band show, prom with band friends.
• Played clarinet in CIYS (Central Illinois Youth Symphony) and Dunlap senior band.
• Girls Who Code alum, Peoria-area chapter.
• Counselor: Mrs. Ashley Seanor. Teacher: Mr. Barrington (emailed Dec 2017 asking to raise 89 to an A).
• July-August 2019: Both paternal grandparents and maternal grandmother die within weeks of each other. Father flies to China. Amy manages household alone at seventeen.
• Got a C in anatomy/physiology senior year. Stanford flagged as "alarming." Mrs. Seanor wrote letter explaining. Amy thanked her: "being such a great counselor during these past four years."
• Graduated Dunlap High School, class of 2019.
• December 14, 2018: Instagram: "AHH ADMITTED TO THE STANFORD CLASS OF 2023! ❤️🌲"

2019-2021 (Stanford Undergrad)

• Enrolled at Stanford University, Mechanical Engineering. Stanford email: amy7@stanford.edu.
• Freshman fall 2019: Clarinet lessons with Professor Mark Brandenburg at the Brain Music Center. Applied for scholarship. Overslept and missed a lesson once.
• 2019: Helped dad Jason Zhou draft his English professional bio. Immigrant family dynamic.
• VP of Stanford Queer and Asian Club (October 2019).
• Intern at Stanford Legal Design Lab (December 2019).
• Babysitting for Professor Carol Vernallis's daughter "Bea."
• Part of "Q&A Core" and "Pathways Project" (paid positions).
• Researcher in the Stanford SHAPE Lab (haptics).
• Member of Stanford Symphony Orchestra, Women in Design, Engineers for a Sustainable World.
• Writer for The Stanford Daily (spring 2020: "Songs you would hear at TAP," "Love in the time of COVID-19," "19 things you can do during COVID-19 self-quarantine").
• COVID fall 2020: Emailing PHY41 and ME102 problem sets at 2-3am.
• Study abroad in Berlin.
• Minor in Music.

2021 (SoMa Apartment)

• Lived in Davis, California around 2020-2021 during the Apple era.
• September 2021: Rental application at 1080 Folsom St, SoMa. Listed Julian Lee as partner.

2021-2022 (Gap Year at Apple)

• Left Stanford to work at Apple Softgoods as Product Design Engineer (intern, then offered full-time ~$150k).
• Worked on: FineWoven iPhone case. Manager: Chris Peck.
• Apple email: amy_zhou2@apple.com.
• January 27, 2022: Instagram: "CEO of arts and crafts."
• September 19, 2022: Instagram: "Shoutout to my awesome little brother George for starting college. I want everyone to know that he is a graduate of Amy Academy. So proud of you! #ucla"
• October 2022: Emailed Chris that David Kelley was giving away books at Stanford and she saw Chris's name in one.
• Apple Developer account created: Team Amy Zhou (JUBFND4JUY).

2022-2024 (Stanford MS + Mobius)

• Returned to Stanford for MS in Mechanical Engineering.
• David Kelley (IDEO founder) was her professor, gave away his own design books.
• Met Elena Wagenmans and Cinnamon Sipper in the MS program. All three were in the same social circles ("butt slutt," "elvis," Stanford friend groups) before becoming co-founders.
• Co-founded Mobius (scrap metal recycling marketplace) with Elena and Cinnamon.
• TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy grant, 2023-24.
• Fired Cinnamon with Elena after Cinnamon tried to push them off the board. 12,954 messages in 2024 show Cinnamon was doing operational work (cellink negotiations, financial modeling, bank setup), contradicting Amy's later claim that she "did nothing."
• Mobius failed; core thesis was wrong.
• May 21, 2023: Amy first says "I want to break up with Diego."
• July 31, 2023: "Just broke up with Diego." He broke up with her over the phone; later sent a letter saying she was sacrificing her college experience.
• Summer 2023: Amy stays at Asena Yildiz's house for multiple nights, unable to be in her own apartment. Diego's breakup era.
• August 16, 2023: Diego sends devastating breakup letter.
• October 2023: Met Max on a dating app. Spontaneous drunken Uber to Santa Cruz. Romance dissolved into creative friendship.
• November 2023: Diego reaches out: "i don't think my heart wants to let you go." Also: Cinnamon says "OMG I know Elena!!" — the three future Mobius co-founders find each other.
• Late 2023: Received Apple full-time return offer (~$150k total comp). Also negotiated with Bilio (Berkeley). Catherine and Cinnamon helped negotiate. Chose neither; co-founded Taya instead.
• December 20, 2023: Instagram: "Me and my weird little arts and crafts, I made the pins, necklace, and sweater."

December 31, 2023

• 5am: Panic-applied to 15+ companies via LinkedIn Easy Apply in one hour: MHP/Porsche, Cognizant, IMAGINiT, Emeritus, LHH, CreatorCore, o9 Solutions, SHOPLINE, Synergis. This was before committing to Taya full-time.
• Same day: RealSelf plastic surgery consultation request for Chase Lay MD.

2024 (Taya Founded)

• Amy and Elena pivot from Mobius through AI CAD to an AI jewelry wearable.
• Taya incorporated under Mobius Solutions legal entity.
• Mercury bank account opened for Mobius Solutions.
• Amy serves as CTO. Builds all hardware, software, product management, GTM.
• Amy's dad invests $40,000.
• January 6, 2024: Maddie Wang intervenes during a sugar daddy date. Shares her own high school trauma to protect Amy. Puts Amy on her emergency contacts. "If at any point you feel uncomfortable... just text me. I'll come and pick you up."
• March 2024: Diego's final message from New York: "don't let anyone treat you poorly or take advantage of you." Prophetic.
• March 28, 2024: Instagram: USB earrings, "Plug into my brain... now supporting USB type A and USB type C."
• April 30, 2024: Korea plastic surgery cost breakdown: $5,088 nose, $2,584 eyes, $5,620 breast, $161 jaw botox.
• May 2024: Suki texts first. Stanford mechE connected through Cinnamon Sipper's circle. Quick escalation.
• June 2024: Met Gui on Hinge. Brazilian, Stanford SymSys+CS, Bukowski poems. FWB begins.
• June 17, 2024: Instagram: "Graduated from Stanford today 🎓🌲 Feeling so so grateful for everyone and everything!" (MS completion.)
• June 28 - July 17, 2024: Korea plastic surgery trip.
• July 2024: Amy is sexually assaulted by a friend while high on molly. Tells Nicole Hsing and Alex Tchang. Nicole recommends RAINN.
• July 18, 2024: Suki ends it: "I just couldn't figure out why I didn't see it working." Amy feels "made to feel like a fool."
• August 16, 2024: Maddie Wang comments on Amy's post: "I LOVE YOU ... can't wait to move in today with you." (Roommate move-in confirmed.)
• August 31, 2024: Instagram: "Btw in college I studied mechanical engineering and here are some cool pictures."
• October-November 2024: Gui relationship peaks (810 + 759 messages). Physical relationship winding down; emotional support continues.

Late 2024 - Mid 2025 (a16z Speedrun)

• Taya accepted into a16z Speedrun.
• Kickoff week in Los Angeles at former Snapchat Venice HQ.
• Photo with Elena and ERAGON founder Josh Sirota at kickoff.
• Amy uses drugs to stay awake for days. Doing the work of five people.
• Demo Day at SFJAZZ theater, 500+ attendees, "millions of views."
• Taya turns down an acquisition offer.
• Amy pays herself ~$6,500/month with no formal payroll.

November 2023

• November 2023: NYC trip (flew from Sacramento; was visiting family first). Daniel Hagewood bought her a MacBook in Sacramento; she paid him $1,428.88.

December 2024

• December 30: PNC bank account overdraft (incidental).
• December 31: PayPal to LinkedIn declined.

December 2024

• December 18, 2024: Nalin's first text: "Hey! Nalin here" and "we can finally swap brainrot reels."
• December 21: First in-person hangout with Nalin.
• December 30: PNC bank account overdraft (incidental).
• December 31: PayPal to LinkedIn declined.

January 2025

• January 1, 2025: Instagram: "Happy 2024. It was definitely one of those years. I am ever so grateful for my friends. Much love ❤️"
• January 5: Long 2-5am texting session with Nalin. Sleep paralysis aliens, capybaras, Teddy stories.
• January 11: Pottery class with Nalin at SMAart Studio, Sutter St.
• January 13: Teddy diagnosed with end-stage cancer. Metastasis to lung. Vet recommends putting him down. Amy: "How can we fix it." "Can we fix it."
• January 14: Amy flies home. Family rallies: oxygen generators, nebulizers, Chinese medicine mixed with sweet potato. George stays home from UCLA.
• January 19: SF Zoo date with Nalin. "red pandas and axolotls here we come."
• January 20, 2025: Teddy dies (April 20, 2014 - January 20, 2025). Instagram memorial: "Goodnight my sweet Teddy bear angel ❤️ you will always be our best friend forever." Friends respond: "Teddy was fluffy angel on earth </3" (Taylor), "teddy was fr the best dog I've ever known" (Jessie).
• January 25: Shrooms in the park with Nalin. Secret spot near Golden Gate Park.

February 2025

• February 5-6: First physical intimacy with Nalin. "next time I'll wash my hands before funtime 😖."
• February 7-8: Nalin reviews Amy's YC application extensively. "brag more," "you guys are superstars."
• February 14-15: Treehacks Valentine's at Stanford with Nalin.
• February 22: Capybara zoo date at Happy Hollow, San Jose.

March 2025

• March 8, 2025: The Rio Post. Instagram from Brazil with Maddie Wang. Says she feels proud of who she's become since summer 2023. "If something is holding you back, let it go, no sunk cost fallacy, no regrets." "brazil is the best place ever!!!! and i love maddie <3"

May 2025

• May 2: "We got into a16z speed run." Running out of money but a16z saved them.
• May 3, 2025: AMY SAYS "I HAVE A CRUSH ON U" to Nalin. He says "me 2."
• May 27: "Me and Nalin dating now." Officially together.

June 2025

• June 12: THE RELATIONSHIP TALK. Amy worried it won't work out. Nalin: "im not trapped or forced at all. i like you v v much."
• June 18: Downloaded a couples app. Asked "what is our official date?"

July 2025

• July 7, 2025: First "love u too" from Nalin.
• Early July: First major fight in LA. Referenced later as "after i freaked out in la."

August 2025

• August 8-11: First flight together.
• August 15: Startup joke fight. Nalin mocked her hardware/jewelry startup idea.

September 2025

• September 22-23: "we been together the last 10 days lol." Living-together trial.
• September 30: "waow touring houses for my gf." First "gf" reference.

October 2025

• Amy posts about Speedrun Demo Day on LinkedIn, congratulating Elena.
• October 15: Nalin flies to India for visa appointment + family visit.
• October 17: Moves to new apartment — from SoMa (673 Brannan St) to Japantown area (1475 Fillmore).
• October 18: Major jealousy fight with Nalin (the Haris fight). His longest apology.
• October 25: Nalin: "i think, with no bias, you are among the smartest I've ever met."
• October 29-30: Japan trip planning fight. Amy overstepped on planning Nalin's team trip.

November 2025

• Amy leaves Taya. Cites Elena's lack of care for people and exhaustion.
• Max tells her what he held back: "I think the product sucks even if old lady investors give it money."
• Separation agreement signed: $180,000 for 2,874,742 shares, retaining 125,258 (3%).
• First severance payment: $20,000.
• November 9: Applied to Y Combinator W2026 with brother George Zhou for Pretzel. Created Riot Games account: pretzelgirl777.
• November 14: Fight with Nalin about concert with male friend. "u get to keep every part of ur life how it was before we were together."
• November 15: MARRIAGE MENTION. Nalin: "i do wanna marry u for sure. before we're 30." Amy sends AI-generated wedding photos.
• November 2025: Chicago reunion with Meowww friend group.

December 2025

• December 3: Share repurchase Part I: $90,000. Same day, Nalin returns to SF: "just touched down."
• December 4: YC interview for Pretzel with George (via Zoom).
• Legal reimbursement: $2,000 (December 5).
• December 7-19: Japan trip with Nalin and Scrapybara team. Akihabara, 7-Eleven, lashing out (Dec 17 apology).
• December 11-28: Family trip: Osaka → Beijing → Xiangfan → Chengdu → Chongqing → Hong Kong → Macau → Guangzhou → Seoul → SF. Taylor and Jessie met the family in Chongqing. Amy got sick in China (flu).
• Expense reimbursement: $127.10 (retroactive from October 14).
• HuggingFace account (amzyst1): suspicious login from Mexico City (December 30).

January 2026

• January 2: Share repurchase Part II: $90,000. Total payout complete: ~$202,000.
• January 11: Pottery class with Nalin Semwal at SMAart Studio.
• January 5: Posted on LinkedIn: "Update: I've left Taya and am exploring what's next."
• January 5-9: Interviewed at Proception AI. Technical interviews with Albert Cai and Nick Levinski. Did not take the job.
• January 8: Opened Fidelity brokerage account.
• January 9: Kaelan Richards (Vizcom CEO) introduced Amy.
• January 12: First in-person visit at Vizcom, 1pm.
• January 13-14: Full work day + design challenge. Jordan called out "Wonder Spawn, pretzel cast mold, 3D print molds" from her portfolio.
• January 14: Submitted design challenge via Google Slides + Loom.
• January 15: Vizcom offer landed via Rippling.
• January 16: Negotiation call with Eden McFadden. Jordan: "stretched as far as we could."
• January 19: Signed via Rippling.
• January 28: Started at Vizcom as Product Design Engineer. $250k base, ~$421k total comp.

February 2026

• Vizcom benefits effective February 1 (Kaiser Permanente, Guardian dental/life).
• Old Bilt credit card converted to Wells Fargo Autograph Visa during Bilt/WF split. Amy chose Bilt 2.0; WF account closed. Paid off $5,332.02 on February 14.

March 2026

• Early March: CIYS donation: $60 for 60th anniversary, unprompted. "Playing in a real orchestra taught me discipline, collaboration, and what it feels like to be part of something bigger than yourself." Invited back to play 1812 Overture May 3 in Washington, IL; conflicts with Australia trip.
• March 2026: Charged $1,000/post for Twitter brand collaboration (brand "Buz").
• March 6: Haley Mossmer reaches out via LinkedIn. Subject line: "URGENT Want to Hear Your Taya." First contact between two people who would bond over The Elena Pattern.
• March 8: First diary entry. Amy asks to be "roasted." Writes: "The grind isn't ambition. It's a compulsion."
• March 9: Jordan Taylor (Vizcom colleague) introduces Amy to David Lam.
• March 9, 4am: Late-night Elena research spiral. "I'm the one up at 4am researching her."
• March 10, 2am: Researches Cinnamon Sipper. "I'm worse than both of them."
• March 11: Elena's TechCrunch article drops. $5M raise announced. Amy: "I'm jealous."
• March 11-25: Extensive Carta support thread about CS-7 shares. Rafael Sousa helps Amy navigate the messy cap table. Carta confirms separation agreement is legal proof of ownership. Amy decides to let it go.
• March 13: Amy meets Haley at The Social Study (1795 Geary Blvd). "Taya trauma bonding irl."
• March 14: Posts "your first prototype should be embarrassing" tweet.
• March 15: First Kalshi win: Michael B. Jordan Best Actor. "Being right when the market said I was wrong feels genuinely satisfying."
• March 17: PCB designs for Hardware Craft Night finalized. Two shapes: heart (3 LEDs) and flower (2 LEDs).
• March 18: Stanford Product Realization Lab "Meet the Makers" event invite. Amy is still on the PRL mailing list.
• March 19: Iran-Gulf energy crisis escalates. Gas bets spike in value.
• March 23: Trump announces 5-day halt on Iran strikes. Oil drops 7%. Gas bet misses threshold by $0.004.
• March 24: The DNS Incident. Amy deletes Elena's MX records at midnight. Nalin Semwal: "I don't seem like the type of person to do this."
• March 26: New Kalshi strategy: only 80%+ favorites, clear data, no geopolitical bets.
• March 28: Capybara Gummies Saturday. Quote requests to seven manufacturers. "The most unhinged Saturday I've had in a while."
• March 30: Signed Apple Developer Program License Agreement. Beta testing Arcarae.

April 2026

• April 1: Rejected from HF0 (founders' residence fund). Cancelled intern Brenda Yang (NYU) due to "internal shifts" at Vizcom.
• April 2: Christina Lee reaches out about coffee. "Stumbled on your site and really dig your work, especially taiyaki and taya."
• April 6: Michigan wins March Madness. Amy's $19.95 Kalshi bet pays out $90 (+$70.05 profit). Her biggest win yet.
• April 6-8: Pokémon HeartGold playthrough. Team: Typhlosion, Ampharos, Crobat, Graveler, Victreebel, Slowpoke. Beat Whitney (3rd gym), heading to Ecruteak.
• April 6-8: Gene Bonannella, a senior engineer at Vizcom, begins offering Amy mentorship.
• April 9: Hardware Craft Night at Vizcom (488 Bryant St), 6:30pm. Co-hosted with Shivani Patel (Telemetron). 36 RSVPs on Partiful.
• April 10: Digital perm at Nepenji Japan Center Beauty Clinic (Japantown, her regular salon).
• April 10: Vizcom board meeting. Amy brainstorms "The Delta" content series: documenting the gap between AI renders and real manufacturing. Episode breakdown for a technical jacket project: render, pattern extraction, material sourcing, first sample, fix, water test, render vs reality comparison.
• April 10: Sets up daily "founder mode" career reflection prompt. Defines her signals for being ready to leave Vizcom: (1) can build a product herself, (2) has an idea she can't stop thinking about, (3) ready to bet years on it. Current gaps: engineering skills and the idea.
• April 10: Says she doesn't care about Vizcom's future. "The job, not the mission." Wants to learn engineering skills and eventually leave to start something.

May 2026 (Planned)

• May 4-12: Australia trip with Maddie Wang (NOT Nalin). Port Douglas (4 nights), Cairns (3 nights).
• May 10: Spearfishing with Bluewater Spearfishing Charters ($440 AUD/person).
• May 14: "Legos to Dream Products" event at Vizcom.