Entrepreneurship is not just for adults; even young children can learn about it and be inspired to think creatively. Recently, the Big Idea Center collaborated with the Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship to bring in two successful Pitt student entrepreneurs, Anna Li and Joe Maggiore, to speak with elementary students about their experiences with entrepreneurship.
Anna Li (pictured left) is the Founder & CEO of Korion Health, a health tech company empowering patients to access healthcare screenings from their homes in an accessible and affordable way. Joe Maggiore (pictured right) is the Founder & CEO of Conduction, a company changing the way people experience music by creating shows that are truly unforgettable and emotionally charged. Both entrepreneurs spoke about their experiences with entrepreneurship and what they have learned since elementary school.
Anna found it "meaningful to be able to inspire kids in entrepreneurship even at such a young age." She wanted to convey that the journey of entrepreneurship "is a wonderful adventure, but can also be scary, and it's okay to not be okay all the time." Anna also encouraged the students to take risks and not be afraid to fail, as failure is often a crucial step toward success.
Joe has a strong interest in music, yet he is studying kidney engineering. He spoke about following your passion even if your primary career is demanding. "If it's something you love, you can make time for it, and when it's something you love, you get to really enjoy the time you spend on it even when it gets really difficult." Joe shared with the students that even if their primary career is demanding, it's important to make time for their passions, as this is what will bring them the most joy and fulfillment in life.
Innovative Partnerships
Anna and Joe's talk with the Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship was a part of the Big Idea Center's ongoing partnership with the school. The aim of this collaboration is to inspire students to explore entrepreneurship and to provide them with the necessary tools and resources to succeed in the business world. Throughout the 22-23 academic year, other partnership activations included a class field trip to the Big Idea Center and an ideation session at the charter school led by Big Idea Center staff.
"It's been a pleasure working with the Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship," says Tiffany Bicek, the Big Idea Center's Outreach and Engagement Coordinator. "At Pitt, we communicate to college students that innovation and entrepreneurship is for everyone, regardless of their discipline. In that same vein, innovation and entrepreneurship has no age restriction. Kids are extremely creative, and they see the world in ways a lot of people don't. It's been a blast coming alongside Penn Hills to create opportunities for these young, curious minds to interact with current Pitt student innovators and vice versa. The impact is two-fold: the kids get to see and learn about the truly unlimited possibilities that innovation and entrepreneurship provide, and the college students get to understand and explore a new perspective from the kids, which can help them look at their ideas in ways they've never considered."
The Big Idea Center's partnership with the Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship is a testament to the importance of educating and inspiring young people about entrepreneurship. By exposing students to successful entrepreneurs like Anna and Joe, the Big Idea Center is helping to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the Pittsburgh community.
Anna and Joe's talk was a valuable opportunity for elementary students to learn about entrepreneurship and gain inspiration for their own future careers. By sharing their personal experiences and insights, Anna and Joe provided a relatable and engaging perspective on entrepreneurship that the students could connect with.
Anna and Joe inspired children to think creatively and never give up on their dreams. They shared their personal experiences including their challenges explaining that anyone can be an entrepreneur. They taught them that entrepreneurship is not just about making money but also about making a positive impact on society. Anna and Joe's visit serves as a reminder that entrepreneurship is not just for the business world. The next generation of entrepreneurs is already starting to emerge, and with the guidance of successful entrepreneurs like Anna and Joe, the future looks bright.
Learn more about the Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship.
Check out Korion Health's website
Check out Conduction's website