We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Hernholm recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sarah, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career
Well, I actually launched my business in response to seeing what wasn’t working in the classroom. I believe it’s important for young people to learn skills that will help them in the “real world”. For example, lessons on financial literacy, learning how to write a professional email, figure out how to navigate social media so that it doesn’t negatively impact your future, etc.. It’s also important for our young people to develop public speaking skills!
At WIT – Whatever It Takes, we focus on helping young people develop as entrepreneurs and leaders. We believe strongly that the entrepreneurial skills translate in a more impactful way than many of the rote skills celebrated in a traditional classroom.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Sarah Hernholm is the Founder/President of WIT – Whatever It Takes (WIT) and host of the DO WIT podcast. Sarah’s focus is on creating platforms for teens to use their voice, launch businesses, and create sustainable impact in their communities. Sarah champions young entrepreneurs who are committed to innovation and to doing “whatever it takes to make the world a better place.” In addition, she’s a 3x TEDx speaker, contributor to FORBES, Today Show blogger, and one of these days she will final finish her book “The 11 Tips for Doing WIT”.
In 2009, Sarah Hernholm left her elementary school teaching days and launched WIT – Whatever It Takes. Convinced that a company could be built to provide youth with the tools and skills needed to become social entrepreneurs and leaders, she began her journey. Ten years later, WIT is the only college-credit social entrepreneur and leadership course for high school teens in the country. Sarah has partnered with organizations, companies, school districts, and parent groups to teach the 11 Tips for Doing WIT. While not everyone will be an entrepreneur and launch a business, EVERYONE can develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
WIT had to make a quick pivot at the start of COVID. At the time, WIT was running classes in=person in Austin, San Diego, and NYC. It was clear that these classes were not going to continue due to closures, so we went virtual.
We made the decision before most organizations and we had a very clear mission to make sure the programs remained fun, engaging, and interactive – even if it had to be on zoom!
Here we are years later and I’m so proud of how the team has created a powerful and inspiring virtual community. We now can reach youth all around the world, which is an incredible siliver-lining
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
We recently started a podcast featuring teen entrepreneurs around the world and it has resulted in an entirely new audience for us.
Starting a podcast was outside my comfort zone, but I love a challenge and project. The podcast was definitely both those things!
I’m still learning the ins and outs of podcasting and I’m making mistakes, but I’m LOVING all the teens I’m meeting!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.doingwit.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miss_wit/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.hernholm/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhernholm/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwgbr1iIqTIgZBt_l1QoKyA
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/dowitpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/doing_wit/