Meet 17-year-old Justin Murray, a high-school junior from New Jersey and member of Propelify’s leadership team. Justin’s got lot of Gary Vee-like qualities, displaying an entrepreneurial knack early on as a kid selling collectible cards and sneakers, and is applying his go-getter attitude to our outreach efforts at Propelify.
He’s also got an incredibly smart perspective on embracing opportunities to learn, build relationships and try new things—early and often. In this Q&A we talk to Justin about what motivates him, what high-school students get out of attending Propelify, and his ambitions for the future.
We hear you’re a hustler.
Hustling? Everyone keeps telling me that I’m a hustler, I see it as sharing my story, building strong relationships, and expanding my knowledge. I have been like this ever since I was a little kid selling collectible cards and sneakers. I just enjoy all the opportunities I have been given.
Why join the Propelify leadership team?
I joined the team because I was inspired by Aaron and hearing his ideas at my school event made me want to participate in the Propelify event. I enjoy learning about business, meeting new people, and expanding my knowledge and experience, so getting involved in this event was something I saw as a great opportunity.
How’d you find out about it?
I found out about Propelify about a month ago when I signed up for my school’s Shark Tank competition because tickets to Propelify was the prize for winning.
What are you most looking forward to about the festival?
I am most excited about the opportunity to meet innovative leaders and learn from them.
What can high school students can get out of attending the fest?
I feel that anyone can start learning about business at any age. Going to this event may be the kick-start to help motivate students to learn more about business and maybe even start their own. I have learned a lot in the last week just by meeting Aaron and competing in the school event. Time is such a valuable commodity, so the earlier you start the more opportunities you will have.
What’s inspiring you right now?
Being recognized by teachers, peers and other people I’ve met helps inspire me to continue to excel.
What’s the most actionable advice you ever received?
My dad has always been okay with any idea I wanted to pursue. This helped me learn the process of delivering an idea, not just thinking of one and writing it down.
Tell us the last app you downloaded.
As a high school student, LinkedIn has been new to me. I am finding out about a type of social media that is usually not used until someone is in college. I am fond of how easy the app makes it to make connections and maintain relationships with people I have met.
Where are you going to be in five years?
In five years, I hope to be in the final months of my completing my college degree with a clear direction of how I want to spend the next five years. I want to have experience in all size companies, and I would like to travel to many countries around the globe to earn international experience. As a stretch goal I would like to have a couple successful businesses of my own.
Our leadership team is an amazing, dedicated group of volunteers like Justin from all over the tri-state that apply their diverse skills and backgrounds tirelessly in the months ahead of the festival to make sure you have the most amazing possible experience! Meet more members of the Propelify team here.
Join Justin on May 18, 2017 in Hoboken, NJ at Propelify Innovation Festival, where 8,000+ innovators from across the Northeast unite for a must-attend day of tech, investors, talks, exhibitors, VR, drones, and music. Register For Propelify Now.
