Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tania Daniel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tania, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The JA Company Program that I manage has been ranked by Forbes as one of the top five global programs supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. We are over a century old and our mission is Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs fuel the American economy. They create jobs. They are solution seekers and champions of innovation. Entrepreneurs have helped us arrive at solutions to needs we did not even know existed. Can you imagine life before Amazon?! My mission is to empower our student communities in high schools to start their own business, and in doing so, unleash their entrepreneurial spirit. Cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset will lead to foundational skills such as the ability to critically think, problem solve, showcase resilience and grit, be adaptable, learn how to collaborate etc. They also learn multiple soft skills under the program. Students will immerse themselves in the program for the entire school year and learn everything from the problem-solution fit to working on their personal action plan.

And the impact is tangible. Our Net Promoter Scores have always been in the 90s and we have transformed lives through the experiences we provide. Once of my students who is currently studying at an Ivy League school mentioned that she barely interacted with others before becoming a part of the JA Company Program. She blossomed tremendously under the program and even learnt to pitch on the national stage. Supporting underserved communities is also a huge mission. Entrepreneurship can provide incredible pathways of opportunities to our Title 1 schools.

Tania, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an immigrant from Sri Lanka, a small island dwarfed by our neighbor India. I am an attorney by profession, having studied Law in both Sri Lanka and England. I moved to the USA after marriage I did not work for 2 years due to a complicated pregnancy and health issues involving pre-eclampsia and thyroid cancer. It was through one of my closest friends, who had volunteered for JA for years, that I got to know more about Junior Achievement and the amazing work we do in our communities. I loved the idea of championing financial literacy, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship and helping prepare our nation’s future leaders to face the global economy fearlessly and with confidence.

I have long been a champion of educational rights, ever since I travelled to the war torn parts of Northern Sri Lanka as part of a research group for the University of Colombo. I saw elementary school children, bare-foot and writing notes on the sand, with no roof over their heads as their schools had been bombed to the ground or shelled badly. The brutality of war and it’s impact of education is something that scarred me. So when presented with an opportunity to help young minds, I was beyond excited. They truly are our future.

I am extremely proud to be a part of the global JA brand. We stand for excellence in education and we are creating huge impact in all the communities and countries we are located in. We were recently nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and recognized as one of the best workplaces for innovators by Fast Company. As a global non-profit, our outreach and impact has been inspiring.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I feel my life has been a testimony of resilience. Having lost my mother to mental illness in 2009, it was extremely challenging to process grief and ‘move on’ with life as people advised me. I think faith plays a huge role in cultivating resilience, as well as a strong network of friends and family. I was blessed to count on them for support. I was so accustomed to my mother doing everything for me – from brewing my morning coffee to welcoming me home from the airport. After her death, I had to learn how to cook, to clean, to manage financial responsibilities, to take care of others and myself. She had been our family’s core for so long that it was difficult for me to step up and assume that role.

Studying, working and living in London also helped strengthen my core. I was protected by my parents all my life and then being on one’s own in a large city like London, with not a lot of money, can be daunting. I worked all day and night, took two jobs and also had to focus on studying in an elite institution. It was not easy but experiences make you strong and you realize that humans do not crumble easily.

When I moved to the USA, I felt isolated, and for the first time, idle. This also took a lot of adjusting and I think rescuing dogs really helped me as I love animals. It gave me a sense of purpose. Hats off to the Houston SPCA for the work that they do! JA also gave me a sense of purpose and belonging and connected me with amazing leaders in our community that continue to inspire and motivate me.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Forge long-lasting relationships through great service and gratitude. Treat every customer/client/sponsor like your family. Give your best to them. Always remember that you are serving them. Showing gratitude for their support and their dollars is something that I do not take lightly. It is because of all the JA supporters that the Company Program continues to thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jahouston.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ja_set/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasetx
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-of-southeast-texas/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ja_set
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jasetx

Image Credits
Mayor’s Office.