How this Locker Board Inventor got on "Shark Tank" at Age 11! | Carson Kropfl | TEDxKids@ElCajon

The Journey of LockerBoard and Entrepreneurial Spirit

Introduction to the Speaker's Motivation

• The speaker opens with a relatable question about cleaning, revealing their own dislike for it as a motivation for creating LockerBoard.

• They share their journey of becoming an entrepreneur at the young age of 11, highlighting the significance of their story.

Creation of LockerBoard

• The idea for LockerBoard emerged when the speaker faced challenges fitting skateboards into lockers; they innovated by reshaping recycled skateboard decks.

• To fund surf contests and lessons, they proposed selling LockerBoards instead of doing chores, showcasing early entrepreneurial thinking.

Shark Tank Experience

• After six months, Shark Tank reached out to the speaker, leading to a memorable pitch where three sharks competed to invest in LockerBoard.

• The choice of Sir Richard Branson as an investor was influenced by his impressive background and personal connection with the speaker.

Key Steps to Success

Seizing Opportunities

• The speaker emphasizes seizing opportunities, recounting how a chance encounter with a Shark Tank producer led to their application after four years.

Persistence Against Adversity

• Despite facing bullying and negativity from peers and adults due to pursuing something different, the speaker remained determined and focused on their goals.

Believing in Oneself

• When offered investment by Branson, the speaker confidently asked how he would help their company—this boldness contributed significantly to sealing the deal.

Lessons Learned from Entrepreneurship

Disruption and Innovation

• The experience taught them about being a disruptor in business—creating change—and an innovator through unique product development in skateboarding.

Handling Negativity

• They advise tuning out negativity from critics while surrounding oneself with positive influences as part of maintaining focus on innovation.

Commitment to Ocean Conservation

Personal Connection to Environmental Issues

• Inspired by love for the ocean, they donate $1 from each sale of LockerBoard to Ocean Unite for ocean conservation efforts against plastic pollution.

Call to Action

• Highlighting alarming statistics about ocean plastic pollution, they encourage collective action on Earth Day through simple lifestyle changes like reducing plastic use.

Conclusion: Secrets to Success

Recap of Key Principles

• The three secrets shared are: seize the moment, never give up, and believe in yourself—principles that guided their journey.

Final Encouragement

• Concluding with motivational words urging others that if they can achieve success at a young age through hard work and dedication, so can anyone else.