Editor’s observe: Trevor P. Schmidt is an legal professional with Hutchison PLLC and host of the Founder Shares podcast.
RALEIGH – If you’re like me, the phrases SEL or “Social and Emotional Studying” could have little which means, however when you sit down with my visitor Kristen Hopkins, CEO of Dangers of the Mind, even for a second you’ll stroll away singing its virtues. Kristen is enthusiastic about her mission to show each kids and adults these life abilities that aren’t all the time taught in class or at residence, like understanding feelings, setting constructive targets and empathy and giving folks the instruments they should succeed.
Kristen is decided to make an actual distinction in folks’s lives whereas making a sustainable and thriving enterprise. She is an creator, speaker and educator and develops curricula to assist college students create a pathway in direction of manifesting a constructive outlook on life. Her work typically focuses on underserved populations, like in-school suspension applications. In pandemic-free occasions, she additionally goes on talking excursions to unfold consciousness on how SEL can have a constructive impression on psychological well being, relationships and the alternatives we make.
I knew all of that earlier than interviewing Kristen, however I had by no means heard the entire story as to how she acquired right here. Kristen wasn’t initially on a path to assist educate youngsters and their households. Early in her skilled profession, Kristen was residing in Atlanta and dealing on PR for large company shoppers. She was profitable, advancing her profession and as she places it residing a little bit of a quick life. After which, in the future, with all the things seemingly going so nicely—with a lot promise and accomplishment forward—all of it almost ended immediately.
“I don’t know who’s watching over you,” the taxi driver that discovered her mentioned, “however you’re not alleged to be right here proper now.”
You’ll have to take a look at the episode to listen to the total story (Kristen tells it manner higher than I ever may), however suffice it to say {that a} sequence of occasions in Kristen’s life modified her perspective and led to the founding of Risks of the Thoughts.
Kristen’s journey is a reminder that all of us have to benefit from the time that now we have. That now we have a possibility, it doesn’t matter what we’re doing, to be our greatest selves and to assist these round us.
If you happen to want a dose of inspiration; in case you are searching for a narrative of how enterprise can enhance lives and facilitate broader neighborhood change, give a hearken to our newest episode with Kristen Hopkins of Risks of the Thoughts.
And if you want to attach with me or are an entrepreneur occupied with being a visitor on our podcast, remark beneath, email me, or discover me on LinkedIn or Twitter.
The weblog content material shouldn’t be construed as authorized recommendation.
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