INSPIRE | EDUCATE | SUPPORT | CONNECT
Since 2011, I have spoken to over 30,000 High School Students in Southern California about pursuing careers they are passionate about. Through my own observations and speaking to thousands individually, I recognized three MAJOR pain points/problems:
Lack of Caution
Most teens are using the internet (including social media) to connect and communicate with each other, but most aren't thinking about the fact that what they say will last forever, and are often careless with putting their thoughts on the web
Inappropriate Communication
Many teens are lacking the real-life communication skills that are necessary for their professional futures, and next to none are being taught online etiquette. Furthermore, online bullying is becoming a major issue and has lead to an unimaginable amount of psychological and physical harm for many.
Lack of Knowledge
Many teens are not using the internet to help them network and connect with professionals in the industries they are pursuing for their future careers. In today's world, building genuine long-term connections is possible with nearly anyone that has an online presence, but there is a right and a wrong way to connect. Students need to be taught the appropriate ways to do so.
These things are unacceptable and need to be addressed at a deeper level than they currently are.
Remember passing notes with your best friends when you were in school? Imagine putting all of those notes together and putting them on the internet, connected to you and your name forever. Makes you cringe a little, doesn't it? If we don't inject social media education into our children's schools, this is exactly what will happen to those "notes" they are writing... digitally.
Just like I did and you did, teens figure social media out on their own. By the time most adults figure out how to USE the app their kid is using, it's already old news. There are no social media education courses offered in the public school system (that I know of). Furthermore, there are many teens that are eager, willing, and interested in knowing what they can do NOW to help them in their future careers or to start their own businesses.
I love social media and fully support teenagers using it, when it's done appropriately. Many depend on social media to keep up with their friends. Maybe their time is limited because they work and play sports. Or their freedom is limited because they can't leave the house. The internet allows you to be wherever you want to be, and communicate with whomever you desire to. This can be a bit scary, but it's also an amazing opportunity and something I'm hugely passionate about!
I have spent the last 14 years of my life working with, communicating with, and helping people. I've learned from my unique experiences and have been able to create and develop an ability to connect with people of all backgrounds and ages. This allows me to quickly grab - and keep - the attention of my audience, to relate to people I connect with in unique ways, and to use knowledge - what most people call 'intuition' - to make decisions that are beneficial and create a greater sense of community. Through my own stories and the stories of others, I leave students (and teachers) inspired, in awe, and even in tears.
Lack of Caution
Most teens are using the internet (including social media) to connect and communicate with each other, but most aren't thinking about the fact that what they say will last forever, and are often careless with putting their thoughts on the web
Inappropriate Communication
Many teens are lacking the real-life communication skills that are necessary for their professional futures, and next to none are being taught online etiquette. Furthermore, online bullying is becoming a major issue and has lead to an unimaginable amount of psychological and physical harm for many.
Lack of Knowledge
Many teens are not using the internet to help them network and connect with professionals in the industries they are pursuing for their future careers. In today's world, building genuine long-term connections is possible with nearly anyone that has an online presence, but there is a right and a wrong way to connect. Students need to be taught the appropriate ways to do so.
These things are unacceptable and need to be addressed at a deeper level than they currently are.
Remember passing notes with your best friends when you were in school? Imagine putting all of those notes together and putting them on the internet, connected to you and your name forever. Makes you cringe a little, doesn't it? If we don't inject social media education into our children's schools, this is exactly what will happen to those "notes" they are writing... digitally.
Just like I did and you did, teens figure social media out on their own. By the time most adults figure out how to USE the app their kid is using, it's already old news. There are no social media education courses offered in the public school system (that I know of). Furthermore, there are many teens that are eager, willing, and interested in knowing what they can do NOW to help them in their future careers or to start their own businesses.
I love social media and fully support teenagers using it, when it's done appropriately. Many depend on social media to keep up with their friends. Maybe their time is limited because they work and play sports. Or their freedom is limited because they can't leave the house. The internet allows you to be wherever you want to be, and communicate with whomever you desire to. This can be a bit scary, but it's also an amazing opportunity and something I'm hugely passionate about!
I have spent the last 14 years of my life working with, communicating with, and helping people. I've learned from my unique experiences and have been able to create and develop an ability to connect with people of all backgrounds and ages. This allows me to quickly grab - and keep - the attention of my audience, to relate to people I connect with in unique ways, and to use knowledge - what most people call 'intuition' - to make decisions that are beneficial and create a greater sense of community. Through my own stories and the stories of others, I leave students (and teachers) inspired, in awe, and even in tears.
MESSAGE
We live in a world where what you say and do will matter more in ten years than it does right now.
You are creating your legacy TODAY.
Act accordingly.
You are creating your legacy TODAY.
Act accordingly.
MISSION
To inspire youth to relentlessly pursue their passions and persist without exception.
To educate youth on using the internet in a positive way that can benefit them now and in their future.
To support young entrepreneurs in their journey.
To connect young entrepreneurs to investors and advisors with whom they can have a mutually beneficial relationship.
and MOST importantly...
To transform the way people think about LEGACY from something they LEAVE to something they CREATE.
To educate youth on using the internet in a positive way that can benefit them now and in their future.
To support young entrepreneurs in their journey.
To connect young entrepreneurs to investors and advisors with whom they can have a mutually beneficial relationship.
and MOST importantly...
To transform the way people think about LEGACY from something they LEAVE to something they CREATE.
ACTION
Inspirational and informative speaking engagements. I love speaking to any and all ages, but high schools are my favorite audience (Warning: Side effects include extreme excitement for life and sudden urge to take massive action!!)
Hosting hands-on group workshops & private tutor sessions for parents, teens, and educators. Whether it's Social Media 101 or Internet Safety, I'll pack the most valuable info you need to know into our time together and tailor the class to the participants.
Writing and sharing valuable info on my blog. (I'm currently transferring my blog, Persist Without Exception, over to this site. Bear with me, please!)
Interviewing young entrepreneurs in a fun and engaging video format and online platform. The purpose of this is to inspire, gain valuable insight from young entrepreneurs, and have some fun doing it!
Connecting young entrepreneurs to advisors, mentors, and investors.
To request a speech, workshop, or tutor session, please use the contact form below! I will reply to you within 48 hours. Thank you!
Hosting hands-on group workshops & private tutor sessions for parents, teens, and educators. Whether it's Social Media 101 or Internet Safety, I'll pack the most valuable info you need to know into our time together and tailor the class to the participants.
Writing and sharing valuable info on my blog. (I'm currently transferring my blog, Persist Without Exception, over to this site. Bear with me, please!)
Interviewing young entrepreneurs in a fun and engaging video format and online platform. The purpose of this is to inspire, gain valuable insight from young entrepreneurs, and have some fun doing it!
Connecting young entrepreneurs to advisors, mentors, and investors.
To request a speech, workshop, or tutor session, please use the contact form below! I will reply to you within 48 hours. Thank you!