We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carlos Alamilla a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Carlos, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.
I help underprivileged students enter the best US colleges in the US with scholarships. I.m passionate about education. Education is the key of getting out of the ghettos and barrios. Also, is the key to getting out of poverty and gain respect and dignity.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I got into education when I graduated from high school and got a scholarship to USC-University of Southern California. During my senior year a group of students and myself organized the NORMAN TOPPING SCHOLARSHIP FUND and I became the Director. The Scholarship Fund that provides scholarships to low income minority students. Unbeknownst to me at that time,the scholarship Fund would last over 40 years and has given millions of $$$ In scholarships to thousands of students and still active today. This is my legacy at USC and I.m proud of my efforts and the positive results that has produced.
When I graduated from USC I got an internship with the Los Angeles Lakers and it was a great learning and fun experience for me since I love basketball and I could see the games for free.
Later I would move to Miami and started a nonprofit MIAMI ALL STARS a JR. NBA PROGRAM to support underprivileged kids in BASKETBALL, EDUCATION, FITNESS AND NUTRITION. I was chosen COACH OF THE YEAR NATIONALLY by the NBA for the JR. NBA PROGRAM and several players received scholarships to college. I was given the top Community Service Award by Wells Fargo Bank.
My career has been in Marketing and Sales. but always helping students get into college. I have always been an entrepreneur opening a food exporting company to 6 different countries and being a business and financial consultant to small and medium size businesses and being a conference Speaker about Education Youth, Marketing and Branding
Then about 6 years ago, I decided to write a book COLLEGE AVENUE-The best guide to enter the best US COLLEGES in the US with scholarships. The is a how to book that takes you step by step on the US COLLEGE ADMISSIONS process so you get accepted in the college of your choice with scholarships. The book is in its 4th edition and happy to say that it has had a positive impact on the students that have read it.
The book has been very positive for me because I have been invited to China, Hong Kong, and Dubai to give conferences. Today, I.m dedicating much of my time to educating and helping International and American students get into college with scholarships.
So to evolve with the times and my students tech knowledge, I decided to create the COLLEGE AVENUE MOBILE APP in ARABIC and ENGLISH. This is a very innovative, with Artificial Intelligence and Algorythm features that is unique in the world, that will facilitate the US college admissions process with scholarships for International and American students. The COLLEGE AVENUE AI MOBILE APP will be unveil this Christmas as a gift from Santa Claus.. Students and parents can subscribe to the MOBILE APP by downloading it and thru our website www.collegeavenue.org.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Several years ago I was hit by a car and suffered some injuries that required extensive physical therapy and that set me back on my personal and professional projects. I had to spend time rehabilitating myself, so I decided to turn on my creative side and I wrote the book COLLEGE AVENUE=The best guide to enter the best US colleges in the US with scholarships. This motivated me more to reach out to more international and American students about the US college admissions process and scholarships.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Social Media is critical today for creating a Brand and making that Brand grow. You have to choose the best Social Media platform to promote, market, and advertise your services and products, not all platforms are suitable for everyone. We have found that Instagram is the best for us to reach our audience and customers. The demographics of our customers use Social Media all the time, but they spend much time on Instagram which is their favorite choice of platform. Also, you must post continuously so your messages and brand are always at the forefront. Consistency is the key to having a successful social media and marketing campaign.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.collegeavenue.club
- Instagram: @collegeavenueclub
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeavenueclub
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/carlosalamilla-06308713
- Twitter: @ideasforeverus
- Youtube: WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/IN/CARLOSALAMILLA-06308713
- Other: Email: [email protected]