Have you ever thought about starting a business? If so, you’re not alone – 74% of Americans shared* they have thought of a business idea, yet the vast majority don’t follow through.

How do you actually make it happen?

We found 3 incredible Coke Scholar entrepreneurs to help us out!

In this latest episode of The SIP, J.J., Erica, and Nathan share their wealth of knowledge and experiences in birthing successful ventures, diving into:

Why Passion Matters
Starting a business isn’t just about the mechanics; it’s about having a burning desire to solve a problem or bring a dream to life.

Navigating Challenges
Embarking on a new business venture comes with its fair share of challenges. From funding issues to market uncertainties, the panelists share key hurdles they faced in their entrepreneurial journeys and offer valuable lessons learned along the way.

Practical Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Networking, seeking mentorship, and staying informed about industry trends are underscored as vital for success. The trio also answer questions from the Coke Scholars community, covering topics such as business planning, securing funding, and growth strategies.

The episode is introduced by Jason Shanker (1991).

Watch a video of J.J., Erica, and Nathan recording this episode here with captions.

The SIP, short for The Coke Scholars Ignite Podcast, shares a taste of the Coke Scholars around the world who are igniting positive change.

Learn more about items referenced in this episode:

The post How to Start a Business with J.J., Erica, & Nathan first appeared on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

The post How to Start a Business with J.J., Erica, & Nathan appeared first on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

Budgeting, Investing, Roth IR-Whats?

For many, the understanding the world of personal finance can feel completely out of reach. The complexity and sheer volume of information often leave people feeling overwhelmed and intimidated. Some even give up, convinced they’ll never crack the code.

This first episode of Season 4 of The SIP brings together 3 Coke Scholars who are money experts and passionate about empowering others with tools and knowledge to take control of their financial futures:

The trio open up about their individual financial journeys, discuss strategies for dealing with the stress often associated with money management, and advice to boost your financial health.

The episode is introduced by Jason Shanker (1991).

Watch a video of Kristina, Bryan, and Justin recording this episode here with captions.

The SIP, short for The Coke Scholars Ignite Podcast, shares a taste of the Coke Scholars around the world who are igniting positive change.

Learn more about items referenced in this episode:

The post How to Manage Your Finances with Kristina, Bryan, & Justin first appeared on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

The post How to Manage Your Finances with Kristina, Bryan, & Justin appeared first on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

How can we make healthcare better for everyone?

In this final episode of season 3 of The SIP, Coke Scholars from different parts of the healthcare industry come together to discuss how they are tackling challenges they’ve encountered within the field.

Meet our brilliant panel of Coke Scholars:

They discuss how healthcare has evolved during the pandemic from the frontline perspective, including staff shortages, mental health needs, and the reality that healthcare workers are human, too, and dive in to the importance of access – from patients having access to both care and knowledge of the healthcare system, to making a career in healthcare more easily accessible. They also share their leadership styles and how to leave space for your heart to inform your brain.

The episode is introduced by Aisha Chebbi (2020).

Watch a video of Joel, Anthoney, Athena, and Kaitlyn recording this episode here with captions.

The SIP, short for The Coke Scholars Ignite Podcast, shares a taste of the Coke Scholars around the world who are igniting positive change.

Learn more about items referenced in this episode:

The post Improving Healthcare with Heart and Intention with Joel, Anthoney, Athena, and Kaitlyn first appeared on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

The post Improving Healthcare with Heart and Intention with Joel, Anthoney, Athena, and Kaitlyn appeared first on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

What makes a truly great brand? How can you build a personal brand to amplify your impact?

If it sounds intimidating, you’re not alone. But it doesn’t have to be!

Learn from branding experts, innovative content creators, and Coke Scholars Safiya, Tiffany, Kaiti, and Ben:

• Safiya Jihan Miller (2005) – Founder & Fashion Designer, SAFIYA JIHAN & Director, Microsoft
• Tiffany Kassab Williams (1996) – Strategic Thought Leader, Todem Brands
• Kaiti Yoo (2018) – Content Creator with 600K+ YouTube Subscribers
• Ben Kaplan (1995) – CEO, TOP Worldwide

In the sixth episode of The SIP, the panel shares their favorite personal brands, how to build your brand in a way that is polished yet authentic, and what makes for great digital content (and how to get over the fear of creating it, too). They also discuss their unique journeys in brand building and some favorite tools to get it all done.

The episode is introduced by Aisha Chebbi (2020).

Watch a video of Safiya, Tiffany, Kaiti, and Ben recording this episode here with captions.

The SIP, short for The Coke Scholars Ignite Podcast, shares a taste of the Coke Scholars around the world who are igniting positive change.

Learn more about items referenced in this episode:

• The SIP – cokeurl.com/thesip
• The Coca-Cola Scholars Program – coca-colascholarsfoundation.org
• Safiya Jihan Miller bio – https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/blog/meet-the-scholars-from-season-3-of-the-sip/#safiya
• Tiffany Kassab Williams bio – https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/blog/meet-the-scholars-from-season-3-of-the-sip/#tiffany
• Kaiti Yoo bio – https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/blog/meet-the-scholars-from-season-3-of-the-sip/#kaiti
• Ben Kaplan bio – https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/blog/meet-the-scholars-from-season-3-of-the-sip/#ben
• How to Go to College Almost for Free – https://www.amazon.com/How-Go-College-Almost-Free/dp/0060937653
• Atomic Habits – https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break-ebook/dp/B07D23CFGR/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1667352296&sr=1-1
• Planoly – https://www.planoly.com/

The post The Power of Building Your Brand with Safiya, Tiffany, Kaiti, and Ben first appeared on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

The post The Power of Building Your Brand with Safiya, Tiffany, Kaiti, and Ben appeared first on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

It’s a complex time in education.

Politicized school boards, intense debates surrounding curriculum, a massive teacher shortage, piling compensatory services for students with disabilities, chronic absenteeism, a mental health crisis, and unfinished learning are just a handful of challenges for educators right now.

But, as Brandon says in the episode, it’s not all doom and gloom.

Meet Pegah, Star, and Brandon – 3 Coke Scholars leading positive change in education:

• Pegah Taylor (2003) – Managing Director of Leadership Development, KIPP Texas Public Schools
• Star Wallin (2002) – CEO and Founder, Bell Creek Consulting
• Brandon Cardet-Hernandez (2003) – Executive Director, Ivy Street School

Even in the face of immense hurdles, they are optimistic about the future and innovation in the field.

In the fifth episode of The SIP, the trio discuss learning beyond remediation and through opportunity, partnering with community organizations to enhance student support, making equity more than just a buzz word at both a systems level and for individuals, and so much more.

The episode is introduced by Aisha Chebbi (2020).

Watch a video of Pegah, Star, and Brandon recording this episode here with captions.

The SIP, short for The Coke Scholars Ignite Podcast, shares a taste of the Coke Scholars around the world who are igniting positive change.

Learn more about items referenced in this episode:

• The SIP – cokeurl.com/thesip
• The Coca-Cola Scholars Program – coca-colascholarsfoundation.org
• Pegah Taylor bio – https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/blog/meet-the-scholars-from-season-3-of-the-sip/#pegah
• Star Wallin bio – https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/blog/meet-the-scholars-from-season-3-of-the-sip/#star
• Brandon Cardet-Hernandez bio – https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/blog/meet-the-scholars-from-season-3-of-the-sip/#brandon

The post The Evolution of Education with Pegah, Star, and Brandon first appeared on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

The post The Evolution of Education with Pegah, Star, and Brandon appeared first on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

“We’re finally able to have a conversation that I think many people have been waiting entire lifetimes to have.” As this episode of The SIP begins, Nina acknowledges the importance of discussing mental health.

Meet Robert, Diana, Chris, and Nina – four Coke Scholars and mental health advocates passionate about destigmatizing the topic:

The Scholars share their personal experiences with mental health, discuss how mental health has changed since the pandemic started, and how feelings of imposter syndrome can affect Coca-Cola Scholars and high achieving students and professionals. They also take questions from the Scholar community, giving advice about what to do if you or a loved one is struggling with mental health, dealing with online bullying, and how you can proactively keep yourself well and healthy.

The episode is introduced by Aisha Chebbi (2020).

Watch a video of Robert, Diana, Chris, and Nina recording this episode here with captions.

The SIP, short for The Coke Scholars Ignite Podcast, shares a taste of the Coke Scholars around the world who are igniting positive change.

Learn more about items referenced in this episode:

The post Caring for Our Mental Health with Robert, Diana, Chris, and Nina first appeared on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

The post Caring for Our Mental Health with Robert, Diana, Chris, and Nina appeared first on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

Parenting can sometimes be tough to navigate. Throw in a global pandemic and things get even more complicated!

Join 3 Coke Scholars in a candid conversation about the twists and turns of raising children and teenagers:

• Samuel Wakefield (2001) – Leadership Director, The Organizer Zero Project; Partner, DEI Works; & father of 4
• Nelda Brown (1989) – School Board Staff Aide, Fairfax County School Board & cousin-mommy to teenager Eric
• Dr. Laura Froyen (2002) – Early Childhood and Parenting Specialist & mother of 2

The trio discuss the challenges of parenting in the age of covid, cell phones, and social media; the importance of having an open mind; and their unique parenting journeys.

The episode is introduced by Aisha Chebbi (2020).

Watch a video of Samuel, Nelda, and Laura recording this episode here with captions.

The SIP, short for the Coke Scholars Ignite Podcast, shares a taste of the Coke Scholars around the world who are igniting positive change.

Learn more about items referenced in this episode:

• The SIP – cokeurl.com/thesip
• The Coca-Cola Scholars Program – coca-colascholarsfoundation.org
• Samuel Wakefield bio – https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/blog/meet-the-scholars-from-season-3-of-the-sip/#samuel
• Nelda Brown bio – https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/blog/meet-the-scholars-from-season-3-of-the-sip/#nelda
• Dr. Laura Froyen bio – https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/blog/meet-the-scholars-from-season-3-of-the-sip/#laura
• Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration – amazon.com/Black-Joy-Resistance-Resilience-Restoration/dp/179713762X
• Poetry by Yung Pueblo – yungpueblo.com
• The Balanced Parent podcast – laurafroyen.com/podcast-internal

The post From Covid Challenges to Cell Phones: Parenting Wisdom with Samuel, Nelda, and Dr. Laura first appeared on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

The post From Covid Challenges to Cell Phones: Parenting Wisdom with Samuel, Nelda, and Dr. Laura appeared first on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

Storytelling through the arts can bring immeasurable value to our lives. It can provide an escape from an overwhelming life. It can lower our guards and show us new perspectives. It can be political. It can bring people together.

These three Coke Scholars all agree – art is who they are.  

The latest episode of The SIP features incredibly talented artists, storytellers, and creative entrepreneurs: 

• Nicole L. Thompson (2010) – Director, Writer, and Producer;
• Adam Pulver (2007) – Theater, Film, and Television Writer; and 
• Jared Michaud (2015) – Baritone, Educator, and Facilitator 

Listen as they discuss starting a career in storytelling and the arts, growing as an artist, and the importance of creating for people who really need stories right now. 

The episode is introduced by Aisha Chebbi (2020).

Watch a video of Nicole, Adam, and Jared recording this episode here with captions.

The SIP, short for the Coke Scholars Ignite Podcast, shares a taste of the Coke Scholars around the world who are igniting positive change.

Learn more about items referenced in this episode:

• The SIP – cokeurl.com/thesip
• The Coca-Cola Scholars Program – coca-colascholarsfoundation.org
• Nicole L. Thompson bio – https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/blog/meet-the-scholars-from-season-3-of-the-sip/#nicole
• Adam Pulver bio – https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/blog/meet-the-scholars-from-season-3-of-the-sip/#adam
• Jared Michaud bio – https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/blog/meet-the-scholars-from-season-3-of-the-sip/#jared
• The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle – amazon.com/Wind-Up-Bird-Chronicle-Novel/dp/0679775439
• Turquoise – collegearts.yale.edu/events/shows-screenings/turquoise
• Relationship Goals – amazon.com/Relationship-Goals-How-Dating-Marriage/dp/0593192575
• Rebel Without a Crew – amazon.com/Rebel-without-Crew-23-Year-Old-Filmmaker/dp/0452271878
• The Color Purple – goodreads.com/book/show/52892857-the-color-purple

The post Seeing the World Through the Lens of Storytelling with Nicole, Adam, and Jared first appeared on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

The post Seeing the World Through the Lens of Storytelling with Nicole, Adam, and Jared appeared first on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

Something that makes the Coke Scholars Program so unique is the incredible community of alumni. Could you imagine working together with Coke Scholars?

This first episode of Season 3 of The SIP brings together 3 Coke Scholars working at NIKE in Portland, Oregon:

• Jorge Casimiro (1994) – VP, Chief Public Policy & Social Impact Officer, NIKE Inc. & President, NIKE Foundation;
• Jarvis Sam (2009) – Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, NIKE Inc.; and
• Rosalyn Menon Kennedy (1997) – Communications and Partnerships Lead, Social & Community Impact, NIKE Inc.

The trio discuss their unique career journeys, how they are expanding diversity and social impact at NIKE, and leading with purpose. Listen until the end for their favorite NIKE shoes and Coke products!

The episode is introduced by Aisha Chebbi (2020).

Watch a video of Jorge, Jarvis, and Rosalyn recording this episode here with captions.

The SIP, short for the Coke Scholars Ignite Podcast, shares a taste of the Coke Scholars around the world who are igniting positive change.

Learn more about items referenced in this episode:

• The SIP – cokeurl.com/thesip
• The Coca-Cola Scholars Program – coca-colascholarsfoundation.org
• NIKE, Inc. – https://about.nike.com/en/company

The post Just Do It: How Jorge, Jarvis, and Rosalyn are Leading with Purpose first appeared on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

The post Just Do It: How Jorge, Jarvis, and Rosalyn are Leading with Purpose appeared first on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

Junior Bridgeman barely made his high school basketball team. He played 12 years in the NBA.  

Junior’s first restaurant was robbed and set on fire. He became the owner of over 450 restaurants in 20 states. 

His secret for growth? 

“I think I was never afraid of failure. Put it that way.” 

In this special bonus episode, Status Quo Ninja Daron K. Roberts (1997) interviews Junior Bridgeman, owner & CEO of Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company and CCSF Board member. They discuss Junior’s incredible career of going from the NBA to owning a Coca-Cola bottling franchise and why, in the end, it’s about investing in people. 

The episode is introduced by Aisha Chebbi (2020).

The SIP, short for the Coke Scholars Ignite Podcast, shares a taste of the Coke Scholars around the world who are igniting positive change.

Read a transcript of this episode here.

Learn more about items referenced in this episode:

• The SIP – cokeurl.com/thesip
• The Coca-Cola Scholars Program – coca-colascholarsfoundation.org
• Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company – heartlandcocacola.com
• The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell – amazon.com/Tipping-Point-Little-Things-Difference-ebook/dp/B000OT8GD0
• Artwork by Nelson Mandela – houseofmandelaart.com

The post Going Pro in Basketball and Business with Junior Bridgeman, CEO of Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Co. first appeared on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

The post Going Pro in Basketball and Business with Junior Bridgeman, CEO of Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Co. appeared first on Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.