S3 Episode 5 - Randy Gomez
Welcome to Season Three of the Dr. B show sponsored by One 11 Spa and Aesthetics. Get More Clicks Media and Transforming Your Way to Success. Online course powered by Borja Consulting Group. In this episode of The Dr. B Show, have the honor of interviewing the amazing Randy Gomez, who is the founder and CEO of The Academy of Young Leaders, an amazing opportunity for anyone who's 18 and looking to either get into a hundred partnership, get into college, or get into the workforce.
She's one of my best friends. I've known her almost my entire life. We grew up together in Corona Queens and loved to see her progression and her journey. Uh, as an entrepreneur, hopefully, you love this episode. It's like I did.
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Welcome to my first ever live interview on the Dr. B show, uh, kicking off season three. I am your host, Dr. Jairo Borja. I'm the president of our consultant group. And today's guest happens to be my lovely friend, the president, and CEO. Uh, academy of young leaders, Randy Gomez. Welcome. Thank you very much.
Thank you. My friends. I'm going to jump right into it. Okay. So tell everyone about yourself. I'm going to tee it off easy when your first question. Awesome. Awesome. Well, first of all, thank you for having me. I am so excited that you have already your third season. That is incredible. We got to get one started and maybe next season I told you on TV.
Um, but you know, like most of us parents that wear many hats. Uh, first one, I'm a mother of two teens. I have a 13 and 14-year-old. Um, I'm also the CEO and founder of the academy of young leaders and an adjunct professor, a substitute teacher. Um, so many, many hats. Um, and I'm excited about being here and sharing with everyone.
What I do specifically with the Academy of Young Leaders since it's my passion. The Academy. Absolutely. So, and why, and the second part of the question when you started the company, uh, why did I start the academy of dominator? So, um, I was in higher education for 16 years. Um, one of the things that I didn't mention on a hat that I wore was I was the senior director of admissions for college here in Midtown Manhattan and for 16 years, you could imagine I met high school students, guidance, counselors, parent coordinators from all over the city, Brooklyn, Bronx, everywhere.
And working in higher education. One thing that, you know, definitely hit home was the fact that a lot of the students were not prepared for college. And quite frankly, a lot of them did not want to go to college. They were there because their parents told them that's what they had to do. Or they were simply there because it was the next thing to do after high school.
And you know, when you're working at a school, those are all the wrong reasons when you're interviewing. So, um, during the pandemic, like many of us, uh, I decided to resign from my full-time six-figure job as a senior director to, um, start the academy of young leaders, which is an organization that's dedicated to providing career clarity for ours.
You know, it's all about exposure. These kids simply don't know what's out there, right? They don't know what career paths are available. And the whole stigma behind that everyone has to go to a four-year college. It has to stop trade schools are amazing. Um, we all need a plumber. We all need an electrician.
I mean, the world has a place for everyone and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. So that is my mission. My mission is to expose them to these different careers. But more importantly, I also want to expose them to all of the different skills that they're not picking up in the high school, or middle school classroom.
In these workshops, series of workshops, then I want to discuss more that because I have one coming up in January. Good. There you go. So how has your experience, um, especially in you as a senior director, uh, director help you here, or your position now as presidents, you know? Oh my goodness.
It's been tremendous that it was such a smooth transition because I was already in the high school community, um, meeting with the parents, like I said, and with the educators. And so I know. Right. I know their stories. I know the challenges. Um, you know, and sometimes when, when I hear people say comments like, oh, it's just, it's a bad school.
You know, it's a bad teacher. There's so much more to it, right? If it was that simple, we would just fix it right with money because money and money solve everything. But there's a lot to it. When the student shows up late to class, you have to be, you know, taking some mind what's going on at home. Maybe they have to take their two siblings to school first before they took themselves.
So, um, just having that exposure with, with students, transitioning from high school to college has built the platform to now be in this, uh, community, um, with my organization. And what I love about it is that you know, it is my organization. So I call the shots and I feel we need to be learning about cryptocurrency.
We're going to start learning about cryptocurrency. So it's a very empowering good, good job. Good job. So that's why we to get into the heart of the matter. Right. So, so why, in your opinion, why do you think there's a gap between high school students being college ready or not ready? Why do you think there's a lack of appropriate?
Um, yeah, that's, that's a very loaded question. Um, that we're running for president. I wouldn't give you the politically correct answer, but I'm not. Uh, but let's be honest. It's all about money. You know, it has a lot to do with money. Um, you know, there are, uh, districts that are well funded and there are districts that.
Um, well funded, um, you know, I was reading up on the disparity between the different districts and, um, in a suburban, a suburban pupil, um, gets about an additional $2,000 more than an urban people. Um, that's a lot of money, right? And that number becomes even wider up to $4,000 in more rural. So the fewer students in the district, the more money they get, believe it or not, that is astronomical.
There's a school in Texas where they average $48,000, her people. Okay. Because it's that rural, they have about 12 to 15 students. So when you learn about these things and when you hear that, this is how the money is being split up, you understand, you know, that there's a lack of recent. And these educators are truly doing the best that they can with what they do.
Right. So they're, they're literally like the song says to try to make a dollar out of 15 sentences. That's so true. So true. So true. Transitioning into trade rules while you use your smart watch rates, and trade roles, they're making a comeback. I, um, sent this to you in advance. Can you as enrollment data shuttle then, and rent is so slow or I can't pronounce it and claim it, read educational centers.
So a combined 30% increase in enrollment for trade programs from 2016 to this year, 2021. The disparity is the decrease in degree programs and upstate New York. Why do you think that's the case? Why do you think now, you know, a trade school that I went back to. Yeah, there are a lot of contributions to the whole ship.
I mean, we have organizations like Google that are providing students with eight and nine months, uh, certificate programs where you can make six figures as soon as you complete it. So why would I go to college for four years? I'm going to be making the same amount of money, right? With a certificate, um, and the advancement of technology as well.
Right. Um, so the comeback of trade school has to do with, uh, the. Um, the reality of the debt that the students are getting into when they're pursuing a four-year degree and the ginormous gap between what they're investing and what they're receiving. Um, and we're talking business terms, the return on investment on a degree is just not adding up.
Right. We do the math. It's just not adding up in all of the different majors. Um, paths that they choose. So don't get me wrong. You know, you have to go to college to be a doctor. I would not want to sit down in the doctor's office and know that my doctor has not completed. There's a great thing that would scare me.
Yeah. So, um, there are careers that require that level of education. And then others don't. Uh, but the more important thing behind the trade school is the experiential aspect of it. That it is very hands-on and a lot of our, uh, students thrive in that community. Right. They thrive hands-on.
Um, that's what they love. That's what they're passionate about. Yeah. Very well with it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for that insight. I'm transitioning over as well. So over a third, a third of the individual I know in us like yourself are leaving their nine to five and starting their own business. Or you just did this kind of, I kind of mentioned this in your story with only.
And you walk us through that transition. What was the aha moment? Was there a moment series of moments? Where was it? It was not the recording.
no, I mean, um, I think this happened to so many people, it was a great resignation, right? A lot of us are leaving our, uh, professional roles and pursuing, you know, entrepreneurship. Shifting focus on, um, changing careers. Uh, for me it was the pandemic being home more often seeing, um, what I was able to do, being home, you know, having that flexibility.
Um, I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I think there are a lot of employees that have entrepreneurs there and that's why they thrive in whatever they do because they see it as if they were running a business and building their brand. I love working with people like that. They're the best.
They're very passionate about what they're doing. Um, so I was that person within the organization. And so I felt that, uh, you know, during the pandemic, um, it was a great time for me to transition. Um, and I was up the organization for 16 years. So it was, it was time. Right. So move on and do something different.
Uh, but more importantly, um, definitely, you know, uh, just the feeling of, um, that this is your purpose. Like this is what you're meant to be doing. Um, that's the best thing in the world when the universe aligns with what you do daily. You do not work another day of your life because it is all fun and play and you just happen to be making money on the way.
And Susie's evening
sounds great. So as far as you know, part of your other 32nd
what is your pain point? Uh, you know, for your organization, right? So one was asking me, Hey, you know, how, how do you help with certain people's pain points? So what is your, your, how do you help paint points in high schools? Right? So whether it's, you know, helping them with entrepreneur entrepreneurship, whether it's college readiness or a good traceable.
So how do you help with this particular, do you want to promote your product or services to your target audience, but don't know how? Do you struggle with social media, marketing, and management? Do you have challenges or lead generation for your business online? Well, look, no further. Get more clicks. Media helps with SMS MMS and email marketing.
Also, social media marketing and management video marketing lead generation brand recognition, S E O e-commerce, and website development. For more information, please visit. Get more clicks media.com. That's a great question. Hiero. Um, there are so many pain points. I mean, as a parent, you know, I was an extremely busy, um, parent, uh, you know, seeing a director of a college.
I was working for the, um, flagship location at that. Um, and so from the parent perspective, um, for your, for needs to know that there's an organization that is going to take. Teen, um, under their wing and provide a series of workshops. That's going to be able to fill in the gap between what they're doing from 8:00 AM till two 30.
You know, and, um, the rest of the evening is ginormous, right? I mean, I've worked with students. Um, one-on-one with their college applications, with their financial aid application, um, just completed a session before getting here. Um, and just, uh, from an economical standpoint, a lot is happening right now with technology.
Right? Um, I was out of school yesterday in Harlem. I spoke to 200 high school students and I asked them, and then I love doing this just to gauge what's happening. I asked them if they know what Bitcoin was. Okay. We're all adults. Bitcoin is everywhere. You cannot open your phone, or turn on the TV. You cannot do anything without hearing something about Bitcoin.
Or some type of cryptocurrency. I kid you not that in the crowd of 200 students, only for Mr. Hatton. Okay. This is east Harlem. Okay. That breaks my heart. Right? Because this technology is going to have a tremendous influence on the careers that they're going to have when they graduate from college.
And for them to not even know what it is that it exists is very concerning. Right. So that's a huge pain. Right now the education system can keep up with the technology and what's happening in the world of finance. So if we're able to create a workshop, I'm sorry, we're able to, um, provide that workshop for the parents to be at peace of mind and not for the educator to know that yes, I'm teaching social studies, math and all that, but this program is covering that part of the education that they need to know.
Um, and let's be honest. I mean, if some of these kids invest in invest period, right now, they will be millionaires most time they graduate from college. Right. So educating them on those different avenues. I think there's another painting where the organization suits. That's amazing. That's amazing.
So whether it's folks in the room, whether it's digital, uh, the world wide web. Are you trying to connect with superintendents, principals, and sponsors, how can we help you hear them? I appreciate that question. Of course. Um, it, uh, for me right now, the main point is sponsorship because we do have a very large number of interested students.
Um, yesterday after I did the presentation for the students. Um, I kid you not, we had two sheets of paper for them to sign up for more information. We got to flip them over to get everyone else's information. Um, luckily I had my intern with me because it was just a swarm of high school kids coming at you.
So, um, sponsorship is huge because my mission is ready to provide these workshops to the underserved community, um, to those that cannot afford it. Um, Specifically one-on-one so we'll be working with, um, and it's not just educating the student is also educating them, pairing, um, having an orientation with the parents before the workshop.
It's another parent is learning a little bit about the information and he's ready to have a conversation, you know, at the dinner table, um, on the way to school, um, with their son or daughter about what they're learning. So, um, really sponsorship and of course, educators, we want to connect with educators.
To see how we can partner out and facilitate the workshops in the actual.
Yes, I'm so excited. I'm so excited about this. Um, we are doing our Kickstarter program, which is going to be a series of workshops at six workshops. Um, one workshop a month. Um, what I have learned as an educator is that you cannot simply do a. We all attend webinars, right? Yes. Right. But even in proceeding events, you know, you attend an event, you get all this information.
You're trying to write it down as fast as possible. Hopefully, they provide the presentation and then you go home. And if you look at it right away, great. But if you look at it in a few days, you don't remember half the stuff he wrote because he wrote like, you know, sloppy notes. So with the workshops, we're going to have a workshop and eat all the little pads on the session.
So we're providing the information and now we're providing a space where we're going to apply the information, um, when I have guest speakers. So like I said, they can have. There's a different career path. Um, and when I connect them with mentors, so the Kickstarter program is huge. It's going to be our first cohort of students.
So we're going to test these out virtually, and then the mission is in October, we are going to go live in the classroom, um, with the students. So very excited about that. What are your final thoughts? And we can tell them in the room, on the world wide web, what is one takeaway from our conversation? Uh, what sake, where we stayed because this is a room of professionals, is to find the time to m, mentor the next generation, you know, give back your time.
Your story is very important. Um, when I see a young leader meeting with a mentor or, um, with a coach, um, when the person looks like them, you know, when they have a similar, so when they can share something, even if it's. I see, or any interest and neighborhood, whatever it is. Tiny little connection is what grows into beautiful relationships.
That can be the difference between them staying new school or dropping out. Right. And it's that deep it's that meaningful. So, um, you know, make it a part of the mission of your, um, monthly or quarterly or yearly, uh, resolution now that wherever resolution mode. So it takes someone under your wing, you know, and if you connect with them for an hour a month, you know, that's, that's a lot of time.
Um, that's going to be a great return on investment and not only for yourself but for our community. Oh, so many ways to contact Ashley. It's so funny. I don't have a physical card. That was the joke of the day. I should say I'm environmental, no business card, but no, that's not the reason I'm no, but I am at a Randy at the academy of yummy.
Dot com um, I share my information. We're also on Instagram take talk, um, at the academy of young leaders and LinkedIn, of course, I'm on meats as well. And, um, yeah, that's how we can kinda rates are everywhere. Studio audience. Nope. I have a question. This is a great podcast. Thank you for the information.
Um, what advice would you give your younger self? If you're one of those.
Oh, that is a deep question. Oh my goodness. You know, I always feel that everything happens for a reason. So, you know, whenever I'm asked about what I've done anything differently, I feel like everything aligns within itself. So, um, what I tried to preach and to tell these young leaders when I'm talking to them in large groups, is that you know, wherever you are right now, Um, it's not a permanent situation.
Okay. This too shall pass and there will be, there will be a meaning behind the experience. It's just a matter of time before you realize what it is. So, um, I always tell them, you know, go through the motions and connect with people. Raise your hand, and let people know what you want when you're looking at it.
Speak up for yourself because, um, you have to want it and you have to show people that you wanted it for them to step up and help you. And I have a question, man, on the camera, you know, you were talking about, um, the, the, uh, gray, what was the word that you use when are people leaving their jobs?
it takes a lot for someone who is. Um, once a family to, you know, take that, that, that leap of faith in yourself, what was that thing that gave you? What was that one thing that said, you know what, I'm going to do it now? Why now? Y now, um, that's a great question. You know, when you, you know, that you're ready for something bigger, when you, um, start feeling uncomfortable, right?
You're feeling uncomfortable in the sense that you start yearning for me. Right. What you're doing is no longer fulfilling you. Um, and you, you feel that there's this yearning to do more to, um, you know, to, to execute on your mission, your passion. And so, um, I always tell entrepreneurs, cause I work with them. Uh, women's entrepreneurship, Pauline a little better suits my business coach.
Uh, and, um, you know, I did this child with, uh, women entrepreneurs, and I tell them that you're going to know there's I can't tell you when, when it's going to happen for you, you will know yourself when it's time for you to move on and do something else, you know? And I think the biggest disservice that you do when you're in a leadership position is to continue to stay in the role.
No, That your heart is not in it like before. And I just would never want to do that to anyone. Right? Because you haven't seen what people that are counting on you. They're, they're looking up to you, they're there looking for you for leadership. And so if your mind and soul are not there, the way that you know how to show up 150% and you know, it's time for you to come, you know, cut it shorter Milan.
That's what I'm saying. Uh, more of a refining question. So young leaders, uh, is there a specific age group in high school? Is it middle school? Is it early age? Because there's a part of development for each one. Some will say that if you don't catch them between once and a five, it's much harder when you're in high school.
So is your organization honed in on the most critical part of that growth or understanding of trade school? Yeah, that's a great question. Um, so right now we are working with our high school students, however, in, um, meeting with different, um, organizations and meeting with educators. Um, I said I'm a substitute teacher as well.
And as a part of the work that I do, because I feel like if you're not in the schools, then you don't know what you're doing. I'm going to be working with the youth. I need to be there with educators side-by-side in the classroom, seeing how it's going. Um, and to answer your question, it is high school right now, but I already created a curriculum for middle school because, in the United States, you are allowed to drop out at 16.
Um, it is legal for you to drop out and we'll call your parents and ask where you're at. You know, you can drop out of high school and that. Um, before that, if you skipped a lot of days of school and call your parents, you know, and they have to respond and you call ACS, etcetera. Um, so I believe that it's important to show them in middle school, why they're learning what they're learning and how it's applicable.
Um, and then once they get to high school, they can get to the finish line because they see the light at the end of that song. So, um, we want to start exposing the middle school students to different career paths, um, and want to show them the resources where they can do more research, watch videos, you know, And do field trips where they're going to corporate offices and meeting with, um, with the visuals and that way, um, I did a field trip with my college students.
We've met the CFO of an architectural company here in Manhattan. Um, and it was amazing because my students were international students and she was an international student before she became the CFO. She's a partner here. Uh, and as an architectural company, And so, you know, when they left that trip like blown away, um, here's this woman, she went from being an international student with CFO and architectural company in Midtown Manhattan.
Um, so you see it in their eyes when they have that, like my lone moment, um, they just gotta speed it, it must have, they have to see the paths. They have to see the people, um, the end, it will allow them to, uh, reassure themselves. If she can do it, I can do it. Right. That's what it's all about. Thank you. All right.
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That wraps up our recorded live episode with Randy Gomez, the founder and CEO of Academy of Young Leaders loves her to death with that being said, um, hopefully, you picked up something, and hopefully, it'll help you or inspire you as an entrepreneur. And if you're still struggling with networking, transform your way to success available now, www.borjaconsultinggroup.com
