I make Microsoft SQL Server go faster.
I’ve been working with databases since the late 1990s. I got my start in hotels & restaurants, and then realized no matter how far you go in hospitality, you’re still working weekends and holidays. I wanted to have weekends & holidays off with my family, plus make more money, so I switched over to tech, and eventually specialized in databases. As it turned out, I still worked weekends & holidays, but … at least I made more money.
These days, I run Brent Ozar Unlimited, a tiny company that does online services, training, and consulting to help fix slow SQL Servers.
Some of the things I’ve built include:
- sp_Blitz and the First Responder Kit – an open source toolkit to help you manage SQL Server
- SQL ConstantCare® – clear, personal advice emailed daily
- My YouTube and Twitch channels – where I live stream as I code, write training, and rehearse it
I love teaching, travel, and laughing.
I work to live, not the other way around, so I try to take as much personal time off as I can. I think of it as rehearsing for retirement, hahaha. In our spare time, my wife Erika and I have a great time seeing the world. You can keep up with our travels on my Instagram feed.
I live in Iceland with my wife Erika.
I grew up all over the Midwest US: Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee – and then spent my high school years in Michigan. I got tired of the cold, so when it came time for college, I raced down to Houston, Texas. After that, in the hospitality industry, I kept moving around to work with hotels across Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, and more. I’m very comfortable moving around and discovering new places.
Erika and I met in Texas, and we’ve lived in Miami Beach, Chicago, and now San Diego. I’ve always felt like a Californian at heart. I’m laid back, and I think California prioritizes things that are important to me, too. And you can’t beat the weather. Right now, we’re spending some time in Iceland, though.
My current car collection includes a Porsche 911 Targa, Jaguar XKR-S, and Land Rover Defender. I share ’em at local cars & coffee type events as often as I can.
If you want to stay in touch, I’m @BrentO on Twitter, BrentOzar on Facebook, and @BrentOzar on TikTok.