By Laurie Hanson
After attending The Youth Center’s Leadership Academy, 16-year-old Los Alamitos High School junior Elsa McFadden became inspired to start her own clothing company after overcoming a challenging illness.
“The Academy gave me great confidence and encouraged me to try a little harder, and to think out of the box,” said McFadden. “I think that starting my own company came, in part, from what I learned at the Academy. “
It was during her freshman year at LAHS that McFadden overcame an illness that caused her grades to suffer. “I was very sick with a problem nobody seemed to understand including the doctors,” she said. “As I started feeling better, I picked myself up and dusted myself off. It was in the summer of that year that I attended the Leadership Academy and I gained valuable confidence.”
Though she wondered why she was attending the Leadership Academy while all her friends were at the beach, it helped her to excel in the coming year. “It taught me to try harder and not settle for being on the regular Honor Roll when I could go for the Principal’s Honor Roll in school. The trade was worth it,” said McFadden. It was with the encouragement of her mother that she attended the Academy.
Leadership Academy instructor Joe Prior, who taught McFadden and the other students on starting their own business, feels it’s important to encourage them from early on. “While most people conform to ‘getting a job,’ these are the people that are creating jobs,” he said. “True entrepreneurs are born ready.”
He added, “Experience comes with time, but more importantly, it comes with opportunity. So those who support their [entrepreneurs] early efforts are those to thank for their great successes.”
On inspiring future business owners like McFadden he said, “When people start telling you your goals are impossible, this is when you know you are on to something great!”
“We are so fortunate and grateful to the Better Lives Foundation, who have been supporting the Leadership Academy since its inception,” said Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lumme. “The Academy powerfully impacts the teens who attend, who have the benefit of learning about entrepreneurship, goal setting, interview skills, marketing themselves, shopping wisely and basic cooking, car maintenance and financial planning before they reach adulthood and are on their own.”
About the Leadership Academy overall McFadden said, “I enjoyed being able to share ideas with other students who I might not have gotten to know in a normal school setting. I’m really thankful for my experience with the Academy, as it inspired me and taught me about business and adult responsibilities.”
One thing that impressed her father about the course was how McFadden learned to change a tire and oil in the automotive workshop. Other workshops included job preparation where she learned to have great skills under pressure, to accept critiques and how to better herself. McFadden said she also liked learning to prepare a meal in the cooking workshop.
McFadden’s clothing company is based on a healthy lifestyle and travel. It through learning and being a well- rounded healthy individual that inspired her clothing line, EZlivin, named after her and her boyfriend’s initials. It features tops with travel scenes on the back of each shirt.
“We have a presence on Instagram where we promote our product and lifestyle,” said McFadden. “We are also organizing a series of trunk shows at boutiques and surf shops this summer.”
The Youth Center’s Leadership Academy is coming this summer July 15 to July 19. If you or your teen wants further information or to sign up to be placed on a waiting list, please visit online at www.theyouthcenter.org.
Courtesy photo
Pictured is Los Alamitos High School student Elsa McFadden who gained confidence at The Youth Center Leadership Academy that helped her excel academically and launch her own clothing company after overcoming health issues.