We were lucky to catch up with Andra Campos recently and have shared our conversation below.

Andra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Well, I came up with the idea in a car ride. I had just begun working at my internship at Scripps Research, and I was fascinated by the way that I felt like I could accomplish anything just because I had become engaged in this one particular extracurricular. Making change made me feel like I could accomplish anything and so I wanted to create a place where others could do that same thing. Coming from a very large public school, I felt like I couldn’t connect with others who had the same interests as me, so I liked accomplishing more or working on a project. For instance, I wanted to start a nonprofit for outdoor workers (my now-existing organization, Solace for Outdoor Workers), so I decided to sort of put together my technology skills and create a place where people could do that. I honestly didn’t know much about coding or making a website at all when I had the idea, but I sort of just knew that this was something that needed to be done, and if I didn’t do it, I didn’t know who else would so I decided why not take matters into my own hands. That’s the beauty of my website because I want others to feel like they can feel the same way and not have anything that prohibits them from making the change that they want to see. Humans are creative, and we always have a bunch of ideas, but I’m certain that many of them just go unnoticed or unappreciated, and because of that, we lose out on a really large amount of possibilities that could’ve happened. So, I sort of wanted to work to fix that problem, and I decided to study a lot of coding just to understand how I could make that a place for others.

Andra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m someone who believes in taking action to solve problems as soon as I see one. Earlier this year, I launched a website aimed at helping students navigate challenges in education and beyond, and I’m proud to say it has already made a difference for over 40,000 students in just a few months. This project began as a simple idea to share resources, but it’s grown into a platform that empowers students to see opportunities where they might have only seen obstacles. It reflects my philosophy: when you take bold steps, even without complete certainty, you set meaningful change into motion.

I’m also the author of the book Math Speaks, available on Amazon, which highlights the role of mathematics in everyday life and across various disciplines. I’ve shared the book with local libraries and middle schools because I want young people to see that math isn’t something to fear—it’s a tool they use daily, often without realizing it. By shifting students’ perspectives on math and problem-solving, I hope to help them embrace challenges with confidence. After all, perspective is more powerful than any skill; it shapes how we approach problems and drives us to take action.

This focus on creating solutions also led me to establish my nonprofit organization, Solace for Outdoor Workers. While researching melanoma during an internship, I noticed a significant gap in resources for outdoor workers, a group particularly at risk. Recognizing that no one else was addressing this issue, I secured grants and launched 15 international chapters to provide aid and raise awareness. This initiative taught me that it’s often overlooked problems that require bold leadership, and I strive to be the person who steps up when others hesitate.

I’m also honored to be a semi-finalist for the Coca-Cola Scholarship, selected as one of the top 1.2% of 105,000 applicants. This recognition reflects the passion and persistence I bring to every challenge I take on.

What sets me apart is my willingness to dive into opportunities and problems that others might shy away from. I don’t start anything unless I’m truly passionate about it, and that passion fuels my work even when the path gets tough. Whether it’s through my website, my book, or my nonprofit, I’m driven by a desire to empower others and create meaningful change.

If there’s one message I want to share, it’s this: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Every step you take—no matter how small—counts toward something bigger. You don’t need to have all the answers to start making a difference. Take the leap, follow your passions, and trust that your persistence will guide you to incredible heights.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What I believe helped me build my reputation was my ability to relate directly to my audience. Starting a website for high schoolers, while being a high schooler myself, gave me a unique insight into what my audience really wanted. I understood their challenges and needs because I was experiencing them too. This relatability allowed me to create content and resources that genuinely resonated with them.

To anyone looking to build a reputation in their market, my advice is to first deeply understand your target audience and find ways to genuinely connect with them. People want to feel understood, not talked down to. They’re looking for solutions that speak to them directly and authentically.

In my case, relatable content was key. When you’re working to resonate with an audience, authenticity and simplicity often work better than over-the-top professionalism or jargon, which can create distance. Especially for most audiences, the goal is to be approachable and genuine. This is why you’ll see certain videos go viral—like when people try to speak Gen Z slang on TikTok. They’re relatable, and people appreciate the effort to connect, even if it’s not perfect.

In the end, building a reputation comes down to showing your audience that you understand and are listening to them. This builds trust and a sense of community, which are invaluable for any brand looking to make a lasting impact.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

One book that significantly shifted my perspective on management is “The 48 Laws of Power”. Not because I wanted to learn about wielding power over others, but because it encouraged me to think critically about the dynamics of influence and responsibility. The book helped me understand the importance of consistently strengthening myself so I wouldn’t become the “weak link” in a team I had committed myself to leading. As a founder, I realized that if I wasn’t prepared to be resilient, nobody else could step in to fill that gap.

This idea also led me to take on smaller leadership roles—like starting clubs or even writing a book with an idea I was excited about. These experiences taught me that managing well starts with self-management. It’s about reflecting on how you spend your time and knowing that this impacts how effectively you guide others. Leadership, for me, has been a journey of trial and error, and each mistake has given me insight into how to lead more authentically.

Ultimately, I’ve found that the best way to lead a strong team is to allow yourself room to learn and grow, which will help you build the strength and resilience to lead effectively.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://andracampos.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectconnectforum/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andra-campos-861149258
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@projectconnectforum
• Other: Link to Project Connect Forum: https://projectconnectforum.com
  Link to info on my organization, Solace for Outdoor Workers: https://www.solacenonprofit.org