Kobe Bryant is another person who people automatically associate with basketball, and for good reason. Ever since his retirement, Kobe has been making headlines all over with his business moves. In March of 2014, Bryant decided to invest $6 million into Body Armor, a sports drink company. In return, he would receive 10% of the company. Back in August of 2018, Coca-Cola decided to purchase Body Armor and Kobe saw his investment turn into a $200 million gain. He saw a return of $194 million which is not too bad for 5 years of ownership. Also, in January 2018, he received a Grammy for his short-film, “Dear Basketball”. Kobe Bryant has nearly made more money during his retirement than his 20-year playing career. If that is not a businessman/entrepreneur then I do not know what is. He has also been extremely precise as to what endorsement deals he selects because he is focused on being as successful as possible. Some of his most lucrative deals include partnerships with McDonald’s, Nike, Sprite, and Spalding. Kobe has also been very wise with his spending habits. He also has expressed some interest in owning an NBA team and that can be very expensive so he is doing everything he can to make that dream become reality. Kobe Bryant is an entrepreneur because he is never satisfied, he always is looking for more. Success can come in a variety of ways, but someone’s bank account is usually a good indicator as to how successful they have been and Kobe’s bank account would certainly say that he is very successful.
Archive for Social Entrepreneur – Page 10
When people hear the name “LeBron James“, basketball instantly comes to my mind, but not many people realize how successful he is off the basketball court. LeBron has remained smart with his money ever since the beginning of his NBA career. He has constantly had a team of advisors and know how best use his money when opportunities arise. One of the most well-known business avenues that James has taken is his ownership in “Blaze Pizza”. He currently owns 11 of these stores and the chain is continuing to grow around the country. He has also been extremely savvy as to what endorses he accepts from various companies. He understands his worth and refuses to accept anything less because he is focused on the bigger picture, life after basketball. James has been quoted numerous times that he wants to one day own an NBA AND NFL team. Such a feat requires an absurd amount of money, but if anyone can pull it off, it would be James. A few years ago, he announced that he had signed a lifetime endorsement deal with Nike that was reportedly worth over $1 billion. Since he now resides in LA, he has also expanded his business connections. He recently debuted a TV show called “The Shop” and he helped design and produce NBA 2K19. He represents an entrepreneur because he never gets complacent; he always wants more. He is not afraid to take a chance if he thinks their is a large payout in the end. He said that his decision to move to LA was the beginning of his “life after basketball” and that adds even to more to how much of an entrepreneurial mind he has. He may not retire for 5 more years, but he is already looking at the bigger picture, and that is a rare quality to possess.
Most people do not have any realistic idea of what it’s like to be a millionaire let alone at the age of 9 years old. Since the creation of EvanTubeHD in 2011, Evan has been providing kid friendly content to YouTube through toy reviews and building Lego sets online. He began doing this at 5 years old and has since created a massive brand name for himself. This prepubescent entrepreneur has three separate channels on YouTube and has amassed more than 5.9 million subscribers as well as more than 3.6 billion views on his page. To top off the young man’s impressive feats, the page is estimated to make $1.3 million a year. The good thing is, Evan is putting some of the money towards future education and is continuing to chase his aspirations. Jared’s father stated, “We’ve already maxed out certain accounts, so I think the college education is pretty much taken care of thank goodness.” His channel’s about us page notes that, “Our channel is all about KID FUN! Toys, Challenges, Animals, Video Games, Science Experiments.” So if you’re looking for a Christmas gift to get for a younger sibling or cousin, ask Evan!
Sources:
-https://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/27/8-young-entrepreneurs-making-serious.html?slide=3
-https://www.youtube.com/user/EvanTubeHD/about?disable_polymer=1
Jack Amend is a 27 year old entrepreneur from Los Angeles, California. He received his Bachelor’s degree from University of California, Santa Barbara. A few years ago, he came up with the idea of wanting to eliminate the carbon footprint created by the internet. He is extremely successful at what he does, but he often gets overlooked because not many people understand exactly what he is doing. His project is called The Web Neutral Project. This project is aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the internet through a comprehensive carbon neutral certification program. So far Jack and his team have already eliminated the production of over 300 metric tons of CO2. He aims at providing companies with renewable energy sources rather than burning through even more energy. He wants to eliminate the Internet’s dependency on fossil fuels through a comprehensive website certification program. He worked his way through the chain of command and made sure to retain on the knowledge he was taught when he was younger. He displays many characteristics of an entrepreneur. He is innovative, driven, and always looking to better himself and his company. He is said to be very good to work for and his employees have nothing but positive things to say about him. I really admire his ability to not allow his age to slow him down, but rather use it to motivate him. He does not see barriers as something stopping him, but rather something else that he can overcome and accomplish.
With the Entrepreneurship program winning the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) Model Emerging Program Award, Entrepreneurship is a hot topic on campus. Professor English, Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation (E+I) at Grove City College said, “The award has already generated greater awareness and interest in our Entrepreneurship program. I was mobbed after the gala with inquiries and requests from other schools and programs to see our center and collaborate with us. It’s an exciting time for Entrepreneurship at Grove City College.” It is truly an exciting time for Grove City College.
Grove City College students, and students from all over the nation now look to Grove City for its entrepreneurial expertise. With an excellent entrepreneurship program, many people see great ideas and creations in future generations. However, many people fail to recognize the greatest entrepreneur in Grove City’s history: Dr. Issac C. Ketler. Like most entrepreneurship students at Grove City, Ketler (who had no entrepreneurial training himself) was filled with excitement to create and maintain his own business. Contrary to GCC students, Ketler desired to start his own college, originally called Pine Grove Normal Academy, but most of us know it as Grove City College.
Fresh out of National Normal School, a college specifically for aspiring teachers, Ketler instituted Pine Grove Normal Academy (Grove City College) at 23 years old in 1876. The first year’s class was filled to the brim with 26 students, but when people heard about Pine Grove’s unique mission, attendance steadily began to rise. By the 1900’s, the attendance of Pine Grove skyrocketed to over 650 students. How did these numbers increase so quickly, one may ask? Well, Ketler did what any excellent entrepreneur would do: He came up with a unique selling proposition. His vision was to create a Christian, educational society that transcends all denominations and belief systems.
Without any type of degree or class on how to start a college, Isaac Ketler showed confidence and brilliance in instituting a now famous conservative college where students today can pursue their passions. Whether one is an education major or an electrical engineer major, Grove City College is a non-government controlled environment where students learn about Christianity in tandem to their classes of choice. Grove City College is truly a place “Where faith and freedom matter.”
Brian D. Evans has had a knack for solving unconventional problems his entire life. In 2015, Brian became an Inc. 500 Entrepreneur. Brian’s online advertising and marketing agency made the Inc. 500 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America, and was the 25th fastest growing advertising and marketing agency in America.
Brian has been ranked #7 on Forbes list of most influential marketing influences in the world, with almost a million followers on his personal brand and millions of followers across his companies. HE is the founder of Influencive.com, a media platform that provides unconventional wisdom. Influencive reaches many millions of people monthly.
On Inc. Magazine Brian was called one of the most influential millennial entrepreneurs. And on Entrepreneur Magazine Brian was named an “inspiring influencer to follow.”
A common misconception is that the adolescents who “make it” in the entrepreneurial world are the kids who thrived academically and stood out as leaders among their classmates. Under closer examination, kids who choose innovative routes on their own are the same kids who stood out from the crowd in some way… and not always for being the best. In Erik Finman’s case, he leaned in the opposite direction—failing miserably within public school, his intelligence stifled by the constricting atmosphere. On all sides he was met with conflict and bullying—by teachers as well as students, one warning him he would end up working at McDonalds. Detached from the world of academics, Finman found himself more often looking outward. His recognition of the fundamental flaws in the public school system formed the basis of his first startup, Botangle, an online education company, which reflects this desire for young students to thrive in a school system that inspires them to pursue learning rather than view it as meaningless drudgery.
His journey from high school dropout to millionaire was the seed of an early investment in Bitcoin as a fifteen-year-old. Finman’s next step was to make a deal with his parents that if he became a millionaire by the time he turned 18, he wouldn’t have to go to college. He succeeded.
Finman cites his life goal as to “fix the education system,” and now at 19, he is the successful founder of an online education company called Botangle, which allows people to create a virtual “school” for any subject.
“Find what you’re good at, and find a way to make money doing it,” is Erik’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. Indeed, Erik Finman’s seemingly arduous process of weeding his way through criticism and apparent failure to reach the pinnacle of success should inspire young people of all interests to think outside the apparent restrictions of what is considered possible.
Visit Erik’s business Botangle here: https://botangle.com/
Lt. Emily Núñez Cavness was a millennial on a mission. She was an “Army Brat” her whole life and was continuously surrounded by military influences. Even at a young age she knew she wanted to help veterans. However, her vision wasn’t realized until she was deployed. It was in Afghanistan of all places that she decided to officially start Sword & Plough. The name was a clever play on the idea of taking military supplies and repurposing them for civilian products, which is exactly what they do. The company recycles military supplies and materials that would otherwise be left to waste and pollute the earth, and turn them into totes, backpacks, accessories, and handbags.
She started the company with her sister Betsy, and is currently still the CEO as well as serving as a Captain in the U.S. armed forces. Over the last several years Sword & Plough has recycled 30,000 pounds of materials and sold over 7,000 bags and accessories. The real mission is found in the fact that they currently employ 38 veterans.
Núñez Cavness was one of the first 100 women to attempt the U.S. Army’s Ranger Training Assessment Course as well as named a White House Champion of Changed and Forbes 30 under 30 fellow. Emily and Betsy are definitely a powerhouse duo and have quite the vision. Their mission has a real purpose and their product is of the quality. It will be great to see where Sword & Plough ends up.
Jay Alvarrez was bor
n on the beautiful island of Hawaii and raised by parents who always supported him. When Alvarrez was just 14, his mother passed away. She had an incredible impact on his life and taught him how to love others well. After her death, Jay got the phrase “let’s live” tattooed on the inside of his bottom lip, a memento he lives by and will never forget. After his mother’s tragic death, Alvarrez made the decision to drop out of high school and live the life he knew his mother wanted for him. He began experimenting with film, and started to document his adrenalin including adventures, capturing beautiful footage of his experiences and travels. Posting these incredible videos to social media, Alvarrez began to accumulate quite a following. This was the beginning of his path to stardom. Producing increasingly impressive content, Alvarrez’s work began to catch the eyes of companies such as Calvin Klein, Bonds Swimwear, and Hyundai and participated in high paying advertisements, and sponsorships. These new sources of income blessed Jay with more opportunities to travel the world and build a brand of himself. This is how Jay Alvarrez is an entrepreneur. He wisely gripped his wide array of talents and turned them into an outstanding source of income. His fashion and self-developed trends have spread across the world, and he has inspired million to go out into the world and go live. This is a perfect example of a rags-to-riches situation. He was handed nothing, and became a self-made millionaire. 
Fast forward to the present, Alvarrez boasts a hefty 5.9 million followers on Instagram, he has travelled the world several times over, and is now a designer and primary ambassador for DoucheBags, a luggage business whose mission is to create “Better journeys through smarter travel gear”. Learn from this and apply it to your life. Recognize the areas that you have been blessed in and use that to your advantage. Use your gifts to help other people and you might make a little money in the process.