Interview with Jack Lui, cofounder of the Teen Business Summit

Once I heard about the Teen Business Summit, I had to learn more. Sometimes I find it hard to be a teen entrepreneur. I usually get told to focus on my education and wait. But what if my ideas can't wait? My business needs to be started now, not put on hold. Luckily my parents are supportive and I have a business advisor, who is remarkable. But now I have the opportunity to ask the questions that apply to just teen entrepreneurs at the Teen Business Summit! I want to thank, Jack Liu, for taking the time to answer my questions concerning the summit. Below is my interview with Jack; where you will find more information on this incredible summit:

How did you come up with the idea?

I first want to thank you, Tessa for this opportunity.

I can't take any credit for the idea.  It was all my business partner, Paul's doing.  He had just come back from SXSW (South By South Wes) and told me he learned so much.  He thought it was such a great time for entrepreneurs.  At the same time, I was thinking of ways to reach more teen entrepreneurs in the world.  And then he said "What if we did a global conference for teens, done entirely online.  That would be HOT".  It was so crazy and ambitious enough that I thought yeah that could work.  At the time, it was just me so I had to think about whether I could pull it off.  

A few days later, I read this post on Quora on how the tech community can be improved in DC.  Someone I knew responded saying organizations need to do something remarkable.  I had read Seth Godin's book, Purple Cow a month earlier and I remember his definition of remarkable.  It was "something so good that someone had to make a remark about it".  I knew that if anyone was going to spearhead the movement of teen entrepreneurship, it was going to be us.  To us, we were thinking of how we can change the world through entrepreneurship.  

Why are you doing this now? What in the world has inspired you to start something like this?

I wished I had been a teen entrepreneur.  I miss out so much now that I been an entrepreneur for a few years.  And it's not all about business- there's so much more.  All the life skills you learn while being in business for yourself you just can't learn in the corporate world.  We were both really inspired to see some of the things the teens in Teen Business Forum were doing.  There's one teen, Ryan from the UK who had more eBay feedback than my parents who were full-time eBay sellers.  Then there was a teen, Lukas telling us that since he joined the community, he had started reading all kinds of business books.  The one he was reading at the time was the 4-Hour Work Week.  His dad was so impressed by him that he said, "Son, can I read it after you?"  Keep in mind he was only 15 at the time.  There are adults who still haven't read that book and don't understand how time and money go together.  The same person now is outsourcing things.  At 15!  

We looked at the community and thought if they are doing these things now, how much more when they are older.  And that's where we come in.  We have a real opportunity to build up successful and ethical entrepreneurs that will change the world.  We also know there are a lot more teens out there who don't know they are entrepreneurs yet.  But once they get the bug, they're in.

Why is the summit targeted for teenagers?

Very simply, because teens are going to be the next generation.  Our vision was to be able to impact the world through entrepreneurship realizing our dream that successful and ethical entrepreneurs will make the world better.  So to be able to influence the people who will make an impact, we want to provide it for the next generation.  

However, anyone can benefit from the summit.  We just saw some figures on the age demographic of the people attending.  We have people as young as 16 and as old as 52.  I think these people "get it".  They get that a powerhouse lineup of speakers we lined up for the summit just doesn't happen.  

Why did you choose your particular speakers?

In the beginning, we started with people we knew.  We had been doing interviews for many months prior.  And through those interviews, we were able to get to know them.  Some of them had the same vision we did- that youth entrepreneurship was the future.  And many of them were teen entrepreneurs themselves who are now very successful.  One example of that is Matt Mickiewicz who founded Sitepoint, 99Designs, and Flippa.  We thought his experience would give a lot of teens excitement to see what they would be like 10 years from now.

The speakers we chose feel into 3 categories- veteran, young, and teen.  The veteran entrepreneurs are going to talk about big issue topics like how to win over your customers, job economy, getting media attention.  The young entrepreneurs are ones who have previously been entrepreneurs in their teens and are now very successful.  And then the teen entrepreneurs have businesses that current teens can start right away.  It provides a very very practical answer to "how do I get started?".

What are your hopes for the Teen Business Summit? What impact are you trying to make?

That every teen watching will know what's possible, be inspired, and get a business up and running.  Indirectly, I think we will change the way how conferences will be done in the future.  We are the first ones to host a conference entirely online, live, and free.

Here is a new video we put together:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWznWqMUFjY

The link to the website is: http://www.teenbusinesssummit.com/

Yum...Kale Chips!

Today, Kayla and I ran our best time ever! We have been working so hard to get better at running and it's really starting to show! After my fantastic run, I went home and was on a mission to make kale chips. Yesterday, my dad was at a farmer's market and a man was selling kale chips. He claimed that he had the best kale chips. My father mentioned that I was making kale chips and the man immediately said mine would never be as good. Well, this is not the first someone has turned me down in life and said I would never be able to do something. This has now happened to me so many times in life, it now encourages me to just prove them wrong! So, today, I washed the kale. Then tossed it with olive oil, garlic powder, parmesan cheese, a dash of salt and black pepper. First I baked them for 15 minutes at 350 degrees and they completely burned. So I then made a second, smaller batch and baked them for 5-7ish minutes and they came out perfect! My mom and I could hardly stop eating them!

Quote and a Pair of Shoes

"Be the change you want to see in the world."-Mahatma Gandhi

This is my favorite quote of all time. I try my best to live by this quote, particularly "Be the change..". There are so many things in the world that we could follow along, but what if they are not right? What if they are not morally sound? Or just plain crazy? Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn't mean you have to. Be the change, be what you see the world needs. Take a risk and do something positive for the world and yourself. There are so many things in life that I can follow along with and go the route that people have chosen for me. Or I can take a risk, and make a change, and show people there are other things. Even though, taking risks are scarier and more uncertain, there is so much more of reward. Don't just see the change, BE THE CHANGE!

For my birthday, all I wanted was custom running shoes and I got the opportunity to pick a few words for my shoes. And so that I can always be reminded, I chose "Be the change"!

Healthy Summer Snacks

Snacking is important, especially throughout these hot summer days. If I don't eat snacks, I become extremely cranky and you don't want to be around me. So I always carry a snack with me when I am out and when I am home I set times when I am going to snack. Sometimes I work so hard that I forget to eat, which is not a good thing. Snacking is not eating an entire meal, it's simply giving your body just enough fuel to keep going throughout the day. During the summer when it's really hot, frozen grapes are an amazing snack. The perfect cool down-light, sweet, and cold! Yogurt parfaits are good too, but you have to make sure it's not made with flavored yogurt because that is packed with sugar. It's best with plain yogurt, berries, and topped with a bit of granola (I love Udi's gluten-free granola)! Kale chips are a great alternative to the regular potato chip. You can do tons of different variations on the kale chip, but it's simply kale (washed, dried, and torn into little pieces without the stem) tossed with olive oil, sprinkled with a small amount of salt, and baked on a cookie sheet for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. You could add garlic and sprinkle it with a little parmesan cheese for a different variation. Enjoy your summer snacks:)

Come Join Me on July 30th and Celebrate National Dance Day

As you know, I love being active and dance has always a great alternative to my workouts. That's why I am encouraging everyone to celebrate and take part in National Dance Day on July 30th. For those of who live in the Fairfield county area, come join me at the Easton Community Center gazebo, where my school's arts program, Students C.R.E.A.T.E, will be be testing the theory-The  Macarena Project – Can You Dance to it?”. It's important to recognize and support health and wellness, so please come dance with me!Here is the information and I hope you can make it:)

Save the date!

Saturday, July 30

In conjunction with National Dance Day

Students’ C.R.E.A.T.E. invite you to:

Can you dance to it?

“The Macarena Project”

ECC Gazebo 1-3:30 pm

Come help us show the nation Easton can dance!

Event will be taped and submitted to the National dance day and “so you think you can dance” websites

Students’ C.R.E.A.T.E. (Coalition for the Reinforcing of Enrichment for Adolescents through Exploration) is a group of present and past ECDS high school students dedicated to the creative arts.

For more information:

http://studentscreate.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=241987012486611

 

Summer Bucket List

I have been really busy working on projects (not for school, but my own aspirations), so that keeps me busy this summer. But for those of you wondering what to do this summer, create a bucket list of things you wish to do this summer. Keep in mind to try to make it a healthy summer bucket list, not something that makes you hurt yourself or others. It feels much better when you're doing something good for yourself or for the planet. You can make it as long as you would like! Here are some ideas for your Summer Bucket List of 2011:
-Dance in the rain
-Sleep under the stars
-Find a four leaf clover
-Have a tea party
-Learn to surf/skateboard
-Plant a tree
-Send a message in a bottle
-Build a really awesome fort out of cardboard boxes, pillows, and blankets
-Make someone smile/laugh
-Become a teenage entrepreneur
-Go on an unplanned road-trip
-Find out who your true friends are
-Stay awake to watch the sunrise and sunset
-Have a bonfire
-Run through a field of dandelions
-Eat as much summer fruit as possible
-Flour bombing or water balloon fight
-Wish on 11:11 daily
-Run as much as possible!
-Have a legit picnic
-Laugh till you cry
-Make a list of your dreams and goals (then go out and accomplish them)!
-Catch fireflies
-Do a good deed:)
-Inspire someone
These are just a few ideas for a summer bucket list! But overall just enjoy your summer:)

Teen Business Summit

Today while researching teenage entrepreneurs I found something quite remarkable a Teen Business Summit being held via skype in August. As some of you may know, I am teenager who is looking to start a business and really take more of an active part in this world. I often find my age can get in my way, when I talk to adults about what I am looking to do, they quickly turn me down and often tell me I will not amount to much or I get strange looks. This can be a turn off, but it only motivates to be a teenager in business. So when I found this Teen Business Summit, I had to share it with everyone! For teenagers to get the opportunity to hear successful business entrepreneurs, is so unique and much needed. Us, teenagers, really are the future and our ideas can shape the world. I, personally, love just talking with other teenagers about their ideas and opinions on the world. Because we are SO unique, innovative, and that is exactly what this world needs. Teenagers are way too often stereotyped and it's unfair because we are the exact opposite. We are motivated, creative, and brilliant. I think we are just looking for someone to hear our voice. I think the Teen Business Summit is something all teenagers should attend! The summit will be from August 22nd-24th! This will allow us to hear what multiple speakers from around the world have to say about teenagers and business. It is FREE and the purpose of the summit is to network, motivate, and inspire the Teenage Entrepreneurial community. For something like this to occur, it shows our voices are being heard! The link to attend is http://www.teenbusinesssummit.com/. I will be there and so should YOU!

Original Play

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, again, my lyme came back and I had to go on the antibiotics, which until today I felt pretty awful. As some of you may know, I went to Kona, Hawaii in January to play with sea turtles. Yes, to PLAY with sea turtles. You are probably thinking this crazy and weird. I would, too, if I wasn't educated on play. Taken from the Original Play website, "Original Play is the courage to be kind and safe in all situations.  This practice is a way of relating to the world that transforms patterns of fear, aggression and violence into love, kindness and belonging. Original Play conveys a message of connection that is a powerful alternative to fear and contest behavior.  It allows us to effectively respond to aggression, violence and other unproductive behaviors while maintaining self esteem and not diminishing the esteem of others...The way we connect with people and the world around us dramatically shapes our everyday lives.  For this reason Original Play is applicable to many areas including business, education, family relationships and health.  In Original Play we demonstrate that there are better ways to spend energy than in postures of self-defense and contest behavior.  In Original Play we discover that love is more powerful than fear." Today, I got to play with four year olds who I interned with since they have been two or three, and it was a truly memorable moment in my life. I think it's the best feeling in the world to feel loved by others and to love yourself; I most certainly felt that way playing with my four year olds. You just don't play on the mats, original play has taught me how to play in life. It's taught me how to interact with a puppy who ran away to a business meeting. It's allowed me to truly open myself up to the world and to play throughout my life. I have learned to live in "play mode". What is "play mode"? To me, being in "play mode", is trusting myself, being confident in who I am, being able to trust others, and living in the moment. I encourage you all to play in life, I know I will! Thank you, Fred, Daniel, and Mrs. Inwood, for opening my eyes to play!

100th Post!!!

Back in October, when I first started this blog, I had no expectations. I actually did it just to show people that I could write a blog, so I never expected to have my 100th post on my 16th birthday. I just wanted to try to "make healthy cool." I don't know if I have achieved this, yet, but I certainly have tried and will continue to try in whatever I do in life. I will continue to share my love of a healthy lifestyle with everyone (and hopefully, soon, in some new ways). I think so far I have learned from this blog is to trust what you believe in, no matter what others' say. Trust who you are and trust that everything will happen when you are ready for it. I have gone through a lot this past year and I have watched myself grow into who I am, not what people want me to be. This is just the beginning and I continue to look forward to sharing my journey through health and wellness with everyone! Here is a list of some of the people who have truly helped this blog and helped me grow over this past year:

Mrs. Inwood-Thank you for believing in me when I didn't! Thank you for creating a school that has shown me the true meaning of education and community. You have inspired me to do something I truly love and to make a difference in the world. I love you so much and I honestly consider you to be my second mother. You are amazing and I can only hope to be just as amazing as you:)

Mr. Quirk-Thank you for always having my back in whatever venture I may embark on! You continue to teach me 21st century learning and push me to my true potential- you are BOSS! Your support means the world to me and I honestly don't believe I would be where I am without you!

Nathan-Thank you for always supporting me and being my "bodyguard." Your strength and support allows me to grow and push myself, even when I am at my limits. I never thought I could do this without you and I am proud to say that more and more, I am able to do it on my own because I know you will always have my back. Your the best teacher and bodyguard I could ever ask for:)

Miss Casey-Thank you for helping guide me along my journey! Your support and techniques have truly changed the way I look at the world and myself. I continue to be on my "growing edge", but because of you, I know I can handle it:)

To my parents and sister-Thank you guys for supporting me along the journey the entire time! I know I have put you guys through a lot, but I love you more than you will ever know. I am such a lucky girl to have parents who support her, no matter what she does or believes in (especially with my crazy goals). Thank you, Liv, for having my back, even when I don't realize it and I will always have yours. I am truly blessed to have you guys in my life (even if I don't always show it)!

Thank you to all my readers and supporters for believing in this blog. It's your views and comments that push me to make this blog the best it can be. I can't wait to show you all what I have really got:)