CBV Alumni Board Feature: Elijah Moses + Wise Young Builders
What propelled you into the entrepreneurial space? And what do you enjoy most about being a founder?
I started my first venture when I was literally nine years old making and selling mazes that I drew for my classmates. I learned that working for people teaches you how to better work for yourself. What I enjoy most about being a founder is both the autonomy and no direct person to stifle or reject my vision and direction, because they can't see the relative worth of what I propose. I also like the challenge of building what's in my head.
Tell me about an experience you had as an entrepreneur or in starting your company that exemplified one of Camelback's core values.
Where do you want me to start buddy? I know a lot about a lot but when I was completing the Camelback application and many others for that matter, I was constantly being antagonized by not being an accountant major. A profit and what statement? A what of financial position? What are these things?
I mean, I should know but did you expect me to work on theory of change, accounting, stakeholder development, MOU's, partnerships, fundraising and run a program. Eventually, I hired a great accountant, took some workshops and classes and got better. You have to constantly learn or disappear.
Is there anyone from the #camelbackfam you'd like to shout-out?
The Camelback team specifically Aaron Walker, Dr. Charles Corprew, Riyaz Gayasaddin, Caroline Lutkewitte and Jasmine Edwards who'll always be my unrelated kindred and hmmm, my 2019 class and Janine Gomez 2018 cohort & I Dream Public Charter School Founder (we solved problems over pancakes once a month pre-Covid).
How are you and/or your team adapting to the challenges of the coronavirus crisis? What are you most proud of overcoming in recent months.
Wise Young Builders has pulled back on programming but forged new partnerships, increased our capacity for individual fundraising, and launched a new for profit arm.
What are you looking forward to as a Founder in 2021?
Since I just did a Camelback workshop on self-care- I'm looking for a ticket to South Africa and being able to travel and experience life outside the states again. I think it is really important to leave and get a better grasp and direction or view on what you're doing, how to do it better, and why you are doing it. I'm also looking to be more intentional about staff development.
You can learn more here about Elijah Moses and Wise Young Builders.
Find out more about all of the CBV Fellows by clicking below: