Interview with Miracle Olatunji
OpportuniMe
Miracle Olatunji - Founder at 17 years old
Boston, USA
Miracle Olatunji caught the entrepreneurship bug during a high school program. Whilst exploring this entrepreneurial passion, Miracle realized that she, like many other young people struggled finding and attaining summer programs that would aid them in future career choices. This sparked the idea of the connector-like network, OpportuniMe. Since then, Miracle has jumped from strength to strength, building her firm and gaining notable recognition in the process.
Inspired by the ambitious nature of this young entrepreneur, we took it upon ourselves to ask Miracle questions about her business and successes.
1) How would you best describe OpportuniMe?
OpportuniMe is an education startup that connects high school youth to summer experiential learning opportunities for passion, career and self- discovery. Through OpportuniMe, hundreds of youth have been able to find and secure opportunities.
It’s basically just pure awesome!
“Young entrepreneurs are drivers of innovation; economic growth and can make a positive impact in their communities and the world”
2) What passions inspired your business idea?
My passions of youth empowerment, personal and career development, soft and technical skill building, travel and education inspired me.
3) What problem were you solving in the creation of OpportuniMe?
While I was in high school, I decided to start OpportuniMe after realizing how time-consuming and stressful the process of searching for summer programs and opportunities was. Through OpportuniMe, I’ve been able to connect fellow youth to opportunities that have enabled them to explore possible careers, build their network, and get a head start developing their passions and life and leadership skills. I’m a passionate advocate for having access to opportunities as I have seen firsthand how just one opportunity, connection, or resource can change the trajectory of someone’s life!
“Entrepreneurship will accelerate your development of valuable skills such as leadership, collaboration, public speaking, critical thinking, creativity and more!”
4) Who supported you in creating/building your business?
I have been supported by DualSchool, a startup and venture incubator for high school student innovators. The World Series of Entrepreneurship and my university’s venture incubator called IDEA have also helped me out. I too have several mentors who provide me with advice on various aspects of business.
5) What advice would you give to aspiring young entrepreneurs?
You have the ability to solve problems, make a difference, and create value! Young entrepreneurs are drivers of innovation; economic growth and can make a positive impact in their communities and the world. Entrepreneurship will accelerate your development of valuable skills such as leadership, collaboration, public speaking, critical thinking, creativity and more!
Connect! Build relationships and your own personal board of directors consisting of people who support and push you to be the best possible version of yourself. This may include family, friends, mentors, sponsors and/or coaches.
6) To what extent would a platform like Kebloom have helped you achieve your dreams?
Since this was my first time starting a business, a platform like Kebloom would, like an experienced mentor, help me by providing guidance and advice when I felt stuck!
7) What has been the best part about starting up a business?
Learning various new skills and meeting and working with some really inspiring people!
8) What skills did you bring to OpportuniMe and feel you have developed?
I have seen my leadership, pitching/presentation, financial planning & analysis, digital media and marketing + communications skills grow tremendously!
9) What are you up to nowadays?
I’m starting my second year at university, doing a book tour for my book, Purpose: How To Live and Lead With Impact, public speaking, and growing an event series focused on inspiring women to harness the power they have to build their net worth, self worth, and network. I’m also working on scaling OpportuniMe through partnerships and working part-time as the innovation director at my university’s financial literacy center.
10) You were recently honored as one of The Root’s 2019 Young Futurists, celebrating twenty-five young leaders who have excelled in their fields. What excites you most about this recognition?
It’s exciting to be in the company of fellow leaders who are passionate about making a difference – in business, science, social justice, healthcare, media, technology and other fields! We have always heard that young people today will be the leaders of the future, but this list reminds me that we don’t have to wait until ‘the future’ to make a difference. We can start now!
About the Author:
Ellie McRae is the blogger, interviewer and content creator for Kebloom! When she’s not writing kick-ass articles, you’ll find her studying marketing and drinking copious amounts of coffee. Find out more about Ellie here.