Teenage Adrian
My love for creating products and services for people started at a young age. From age 9 to 13, I sold sodas and snacks at sports parks and, at times, at my school. At age 14, I created a service that hacked video game consoles. These were the early steps I took in entrepreneurship. I am the first in my family to start a business. I never really knew where I was headed, but I knew there were opportunities out there somewhere. It was a long journey of self-discovery and community action.
My most notable work as a teenager:
My Promise to Community: It Started at 13
The budget cuts that followed the 2008 Great Recession were aggressive, slashing vital extracurricular activities from our schools. As a 13-year-old, I watched as a vital part of our community faded. Even though I personally had very little and navigated life without the benefit of guidance, I knew I had to act. It wasn’t about appearance; it was about a deep-seated conviction to bring hope back. I took the initiative to organize an afterschool football league, a genuine effort to fill the void and reignite a sense of community. Despite the understandable hesitation from teachers to take on more responsibilities without compensation, my persistence prevailed. I created a complete league and playoff experience and awarded a pizza party for the finalists.
This experience taught me the profound impact one person can have when they commit to their community. It showed me that true leadership isn’t about resources or accolades, but about a willingness to step up, even when it’s difficult, and to genuinely invest in the well-being of others. It’s a lesson I carry with me today, always ready to bring that light and dedication to the challenges our community faces.
(This all took place at El Cerrito Middle School in Corona, CA.)
Mural Development Club
This was not a business, per se. I made this business plan for a school club. I created this plan without guidance and assistance, as many teachers were already stretched thin by a lack of resources. Still, I persevered and ultimately found a way to form my business plan.
Developing this plan showed me that our public schools are often so bogged down by outdated administrative hurdles that they struggle to keep pace with student innovation. While the school eventually offered funding, the process made it clear that we need a more flexible, modern approach to how we support young creators. I want to build a system where the government doesn’t just “approve” a plan but actively partners with students to turn their vision into reality—removing the red tape that stifles the next generation of leaders.
The Aros Soccer Club
When I was 17, I knew I wanted to build something impactful. My high school wasn’t positioned to support a soccer club, so I organized the Aros Soccer Club entirely on my own, outside of school. I poured everything into it, personally growing it to about 80 students aged 12-17. I was the driver, the coach, the organizer—everything. I asked adults across my town for help, but the lack of structural support for youth programs meant I had to lead this effort entirely by myself, highlighting how often our youth are left to navigate challenges without the guidance they deserve.
Our journey was a constant uphill battle for equal access to public space. We were repeatedly kicked off fields at the El Cerrito Sports Complex by a local club that attempted to gatekeep community land for private use. I remember a standoff there, telling them that my members and I were ready to be arrested just to play on public land. This experience showed me how private interests often crowd out the public good in our parks.
We eventually moved to play at El Cerrito Middle School. While the official policy was restrictive, some teachers, recognizing our dedication, would look the other way—showing that even within rigid systems, there are individuals who want to do the right thing. El Cerrito Middle School was crucial because it was walking distance from my home; playing elsewhere meant I’d have to disband the club due to a lack of reliable transportation—a barrier many families in our community still face today.
Eventually, the constant uncertainty and lack of institutional backing became a wall that even the most dedicated leader couldn’t climb alone. I realized that without systemic change, individual effort can only go so far. I made the difficult decision to pivot my path toward new opportunities, including the college journey that would eventually lead me to advocate for others. This story is why I am fighting for a government that provides the infrastructure and support our community needs to thrive, so the next generation doesn’t have to fight the system just to play a game.
Want to see more of this journey and how it unfolded? Visit my Facebook page to see the original posts and documentation.
Dirty Night Promoz (DNP)
At 17, I hosted teen nightclub events in Corona, California. After facing so many barriers to doing traditional community work, I pivoted to the nightlife industry. I became the first to ever host such an event in Corona, aiming to make a name for myself in the teen nightclub scene.
At my second event, I met a girl who would eventually become my girlfriend. She arrived with my photographer and offered to help as I was setting up two large graffiti paintings I had commissioned for our photobooth. After my fourth event, she expressed a desire to focus on her education. Her decision prompted a profound reflection within me. Ultimately, I chose to transition out of this business to prioritize my own college journey. It was a chapter born from frustration, but one where I proved, once again, my capacity to innovate and lead. I learned that true success isn’t just about building a business—it’s about knowing when to invest in your own growth so you can better serve your community later.