Success Stories

KAAN ESENDEMIR - Age 25, Senior Software Developer, earning master's degree while working six-figure income job - Immigrant family, self-made problem solver - Key software developer on $20 billion revenue systems for a Fortune 50 company - Bought $500K home for family - Creator: rap videos, mobile apps VOLUNTEERISM: - Headed ‘Feed My Starving Children’ activity - Provides food to Cliffside Park church pantry - Provides toys for hospitalized children Share this video with students and those it may impact. Please leave your thoughts here. BACKSTORY 🌟LOCAL BOY MAKES GOOD!🌟 Watch our own Kaan Esendemir share success tips to help others gain success quicker. He faced challenges of escaping poverty, being born into an immigrant family, and is on life's fast track. In an exclusive SidewalkUniversity.org interview, we learned that Kaan is only 25 years old and earns a six-figure income by working on software development projects used worldwide. Simultaneously, he is obtaining his master's degree. To create generational wealth and help his parents, Kaan purchased a $500,000 home. Additionally, Kaan regularly volunteers and helps those less fortunate. His success tips may give you additional insights. Follow our activities, events and helpful posts on: https://sidewalkuniversity.org https://facebook.com/SidewalkUniversity

ABIGAIL DOUGLAS - Age 25, Information Security Engineer for a Fortune 100 company earning a six-figure income - Came to New Jersey on own from Nebraska to earn Computer Science degree - Saint Peter’s University, 4.0 GPA - Self-made, first-generation college graduate - Work history: cashier, sandwich maker, pizza shift manager, HR assistant, data entry clerk, several information technology intern positions with cybersecurity specialty VOLUNTEERISM: - Girls Who Code: mentors high school students - Career Workshop: improves college student resumes - Homeless Shelters: donates life necessity products Share this video with students and those it may impact. Please leave your thoughts here. BACKSTORY 🎵JUST A SMALL TOWN GIRL...🎵 Watch our own Abigail Douglas discuss her journey from entry level jobs, and being a History major in Nebraska, to becoming a six-figure income earner for a Fortune 100 company in New York City at only 25 years old. She advises students on what steps they can do to get ahead based on her experiences. In an exclusive SidewalkUniversity.org interview, Abigail shared that in order to financially help her minority family back home, she'd need to be the first generation to graduate college and work in an up-and-coming field. Abigail decided to move to New Jersey and attend Saint Peter's University. She changed her major to Computer Science and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. While in college, Abigail gained experience with several information technology internships and had companies clamoring for her cybersecurity skills. Ultimately, this resulted in a key Information Security Engineering position. Abigail is a grateful person and regularly volunteers to help others make positive changes in their lives. Her success tips about education, navigating college costs and being prepared for better positions may give you additional insights. Begin your Journey! 🎵Don't stop believin', hold on to the that feelin'🎵 Follow our activities, events and helpful posts on: https://sidewalkuniversity.org https://facebook.com/SidewalkUniversity

KORI CARTER - American Track & Field - Women’s 400m Hurdle Championships: 2017 World, 2014 USA, 2013 NCAA - Nine-time NCAA All America VOLUNTEERISM: - Athletes for Hope - Reike's Center for Human Enhancement Share this video with students and those it may impact. Please leave your thoughts here. BACKSTORY Shout out to Kori Carter, 2017 World Champion 400m hurdles, for giving spot on success tips for SidewalkUniversity.org students and the community. In our exclusive video interview, she discusses her origin story and advises to never lose twice. The latter is in reference to learning from previous mistakes so we stop repeating defeatist behaviors. Follow our activities, events and helpful posts on: https://sidewalkuniversity.org https://facebook.com/SidewalkUniversity

NICK PELLETIER - Ultra Endurance Athlete & Extreme Adventurer - Social Media Influencer, Age 23 - Business Marketing graduate from BC, Canada - Adventures: 100 mile run in 32 hours, skydiving, 3576 mile USA coast-to-coast biking in 50 days, summit climbing, marathon kayaking & more MISSION: “If I can shift someone’s perspective 1% for what they believe is possible in their own life, then I will consider myself as having fulfilled my purpose.” VOLUNTEERISM: - Pencils of Promise - BrainTrust Canada ...and much more listed on https://nickpelletier.ca Share this video with students and those it may impact. Please leave your thoughts here. BACKSTORY 23-year old Canadian Nick Pelletier's favorite quote is, "Comfort Breeds Complacency." He decided to live up to that by becoming an ultra endurance athlete and extreme adventurer. His story is inspiring as he decided to make the best from a traumatic concussion situation. Some of his experiences include a 100 mile run in 32 hours, skydiving, 3576 mile USA coast-to-coast biking in 50 days, summit climbing and marathon kayaking. He also is an avid volunteer making a difference in people's lives. Follow our activities, events and helpful posts on: https://sidewalkuniversity.org https://facebook.com/SidewalkUniversity

CAROLYN RIVERA (aka Mama "C") - Celebrity, Corporate Executive - Survivor, ‘Worlds Apart’ Finalist Season 30 - Corporate CLO & VP positions - MBA degree while working & raising 3 kids - TEDx Talk: Turning Challenges Into Opportunities VOLUNTEERISM: - Michelle's Place Cancer Resource Center - Give Kids The World Village - Bullies Reality - Cheer 4 Life Share this video with students and those it may impact. Please leave your thoughts here. BACKSTORY Carolyn Rivera, our friend and Survivor Season 30 'Worlds Apart' finalist, blew us away with her thoughtful guidance for our underserved students. She advises, "You’ve got to step out of your comfort zone… Go after the things that are important to you because if you don’t, you’re passing up on opportunities that you don’t even know exist …and don’t ever give up." Furthermore, Carolyn discusses three things to live by: (1) Believe in yourself/skills/vision, (2) Commit to your vision fully, (3) Achieve… You have the power! Follow our activities, events and helpful posts on: https://sidewalkuniversity.org https://facebook.com/SidewalkUniversity

ANNE KRÜGER - Chief Financial Officer (Germany) - CFO wewole FOUNDATION “We make life human for people with disabilities, individual & fair” - Responsible for commercial & economic affairs for the wewole foundation & their 3 nonprofits VOLUNTEERISM: - Children & Youth Foundation Mentor: “We empower girls” - City of Castrop-Rauxel: “Strong women - strong community” - District Court / Public Prosecutor's Office: "Civil Rights and Social Justice" - Action startsocial e.V.: "Education" Share this video with students and those it may impact. Please leave your thoughts here. BACKSTORY Chief Financial Officer Anne Krüger shares her success tips for the sole purpose of helping others. She's responsible for the commercial and economic affairs of the wewole FOUNDATION and its three nonprofits. In our exclusive SidewalkUniversity.org video interview, Anne discusses her origin story, challenges, gaining experience and how to get started on a track to hit your goals efficiently and effectively. She powerfully delivers the advice, "Manifest your goals. Use salami tactics. Cut your vision or goal in little slices and day to day you get closer to your goal." Anne concludes with taking a 'Pippi Longstocking' approach regarding self-belief and confidence. Follow our activities, events and helpful posts on: https://sidewalkuniversity.org https://facebook.com/SidewalkUniversity

RANDY COUTURE - American Wrestler - SIX Time UFC Champion - Former MMA Fighter - Actor (films, TV, video games) - Served in US Army VOLUNTEERISM: - Founder of Two Veteran Charitable Foundations: * Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation * Vets and Players Share this video with students and those it may impact. Please leave your thoughts here. BACKSTORY Randy Couture used adversity he faced early on in life as the reason to succeed. He initially started a career in the armed forces and later became a famous six-time World Champion mixed martial arts fighter. Afterwards, he reinvented himself again by starting an acting career as well as two charitable foundations. In our exclusive interview, Randy shared his thoughtful guidance to our underserved students, "Finding your passion, following your heart is where it’s at. That’s what’s going to get you down the road. You’ll make the sacrifices you’ll need to make to be the best at something. So many kids and folks now want to be famous. Trust me, fame is not all it’s cracked up to be. Try focusing on being excellent, being the best." Follow our activities, events and helpful posts on: https://sidewalkuniversity.org https://facebook.com/SidewalkUniversity

NADIA COMĂNECI - Romanian Gymnast - First Olympic gymnast to score a ‘Perfect 10’ (seven of them) - Won 9 Olympic medals - Runs gymnastic schools VOLUNTEERISM: - Personally funded construction and operation of a children’s clinic Share this video with students and those it may impact. Please leave your thoughts here. BACKSTORY Nadia Comăneci was the first person in the world to achieve perfect 10's in Olympic gymnastics. In fact, she was awarded nine of them! She set the bar for others to follow through dedication and determination. In our exclusive interview, Nadia shared her insights for our underserved students, "The most important thing is to find passion for something you’ll love for a long time. Challenge yourself. Try to be a little better each day, and never give up your dreams." Follow our activities, events and helpful posts on: https://sidewalkuniversity.org https://facebook.com/SidewalkUniversity