Ella Yelich-O’Connor, or Lorde, is proof that sometimes we don’t know what we want until we hear it. Pure analysis cannot predict a breakout in the music industry. Lorde has taken the teen music scene by storm with her sultry vocals, brooding lyrics, and dazzling public image. Some people hate her, some love her, many aren’t sure what to think of her. She doesn’t seem fit into anyone’s box. What is certain is that she has found great success in daring to step outside of the norm and find her own voice in the music industry.

Lorde grew up in Aukland, New Zealand where she found a passion for music at a young age. When she was just 12, a video of her preforming in a school talent show caught they eye of producer Scott Maclachlan and soon after began her development as an artist. In 2012 she released her Love Club EP and then at the age of 17 recorded her debut album Pure Heroine which was released in 2013. From its release in September to the end of the year she sold 1.5 million copies.

Wow.

That is huge for a budding 17 year old artist. What Lorde did is what any entrepreneur has to do: take a risk in a ruthless marketplace. What she found was that her unique sound in her songs were just what people were waiting for. Her risk paid off and she continues to create music that causes contemplation, reflection, and of course loud and obnoxious singing in the car

Picture this, aspiring entrepreneurship students: spending three days in the shadow of Powder Mountain Utah with 900 other entrepreneurs, artists, and investors from around the world. Sound interesting yet? Lets make the picture bigger. Imagine having your creative “right brain” stretched and exercised with events like seminars on lucid dreaming, outdoor survival classes, mountain biking, music concerts, paintball (yes, that’s right), and archery. This is exactly what Summit Outside does each year.

In 2008, Eliot Bisnow was a 23 year old grad-

-uate who had a vision for connecting young entrepreneurs. He started Summit Series by contacting 19 of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country and flying them out for an all-expense paid for ski retreat and mixer. It was a huge success and since then he has grown it with the donations of big companies like HP, Staples, and Mercedes. Summit Outside is a result of that success. Where most people imagine an entrepreneurship seminar as a stiff, dry, suit and tie event, Bisnow turned that on its head with Summit and allows like-minded people to connect and make long-lasting relationships in a creative and engaging atmosphere. This is truly the most dynamic innovation the community of young entrepreneurs has experienced yet.

Summit Outside is truly an inspirational opportunity. Whereas most entrepreneurs impact the entrepreneurship community based on their personal innovations and success, Eliot Bisnow has dedicated his passion and life to promoting and stimulating growth in up-and-coming entrepreneurs. An entrepreneur growing other entrepreneurs; what better impact could be made?

Jon Koon knows how to play the world of bling–in the automotive industry, that is. As just a teenager he found a niche in the imposing automotive industry and struck it big. He became a millionaire by the time he was 16. What was the key to his success? Seeing a way that he could meet a need in a market in a way that no one else had even thought of before.

Koon started out by buying wholesale car parts from Asian automotive suppliers out of his own pocket. He would then work with a mechanic to “bling-out” normal cars into hot luxury rides. This business became so successful that he started his own auto part manufacturing business targeting a specific niche market. Things just kept getting better for Koon. He began a clothing fashion line with the help of rapper and hip-hop artist Young Jeezy. Undoubtedly, Jon koon has a knack for the glamour market.

I am inspired by Koon’s story because I see in him a sharp cunning that allows him to innovate in already concentrated fields like the automotive field and the fashion industry. To have had that insight at such a young age is astounding. And what’s more, he did not become complacent but pushed himself into other arenas and marketplaces, and found success in everything he tried. Koon has a fire in his heart and a drive that I think all entrepreneurs could model.

Following his nose…

Here’s a familiar question, men: “How can I make my man-cave smell good without using a whole bottle of Axe spray or feeling like I’ve walked into Bed, Bath and Beyond?” For Hart Main the answer was ManCans. No more “lavender-valley” scented candles to ruin the atmosphere of a masculine dwelling, instead choose from a truckload of man-scents like “coffee”, “fresh-cut grass” and “Grandpa’s Pipe” to make your den fit your personality.

Smells that Give Back

ManCans was the brainchild of 13 year old Hart Main who was peeved that his sister did not include less “girly” candle scents at their school candle sale. He got the idea to make candles that appealed more to men and made his first batch out of leftover soup cans. When these caught on, he decided to keep the rustic soup can model and increased his production while at the same time drastically increasing his family’s consumption of soup. After a while, his family could take no more soup and he decided to donate it to local soup kitchens and keep the cans for his business. His sales pitch quickly came to include the line “One candle one Meal” and today he donates to soup kitchens across Ohio and even as far as north West Virginia.

One of a kind

Hart Main is a clever kid and a brilliant entrepreneur. Not only did he recognize a huge opening in the candle market (right guys?) he saw an opportunity to involve charity in his enterprise which helped boost his appeal to a market which is increasingly seeing the value of giving back to community. For such a young kid, Hart Main has aced two of the most crucial aspects of a successful business. This is a product I would definitely be interested in getting. For all the ladies out there, he also has a line of “SheCans” which appeal to women. With both of those boxes checked, these are great options for birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, or really just any time you want to give someone a special treat.