INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Entrepreneurship + Startups
SHIROMI BEDESSEE - Founder & CEO, Kin. | Longevity, Deep Tech & Entrepreneurship | 2 Years
HER JOURNEY
After careers in communications, marketing, ESG, and PR, Shiromi left a successful corporate career to build Kin., an early-stage UK innovation focused on longevity, society, and access to trusted human guidance. She has also been appointed a UK expert on aging societies in community engagement and digital technology.
WHAT'S SHAPING THE INDUSTRY?
As AI becomes a go-to source for advice and information, Shiromi sees an emerging opportunity around verified human knowledge and experience. She believes future technology must also address who gets included—or excluded—as innovation advances.
WHAT STUDENTS SHOULD WATCH
AI • Human-centered technology • Inclusive design • Longevity • The experience economy
Her advice to future innovators is to not add inclusion after building a product—design for diverse communities from the beginning.
SKILLS THAT MATTER
Communication + Empathy + Interviewing + Language
Being able to understand people, conduct real market research, and clearly communicate complex ideas will remain valuable even as technology advances.
HOW TO PREPARE
Seek community service, global internships, international experiences, and opportunities that expose you to different perspectives. Early in your career, prioritize learning and being teachable over trying to appear like an expert.
INDUSTRY MYTH
“Longevity is just about health and living longer.” Longevity intersects with technology, engineering, AI/ML, urban planning, public policy, community, and the built environment.
BEST ADVICE
Don't wait for the job to start building the career. Research your industry, write about it, interview professionals, track emerging trends, and create your own projects—even before someone gives you a formal opportunity.
RESOURCE PICK
Terry Pratchett's Discworld + No Such Thing as a Fish podcast
Why? Fiction and curiosity strengthen the imagination needed to innovate.
LEADERSHIP IN ONE LESSON
Never stop learning. Strong leaders continue developing expertise in what they're responsible for leading.
INDUSTRY IN ONE WORD
EMERGING
EDWARD GROCHOWSKI Owner, Pine Acres Popcorn | Entrepreneurship & Food Business | 11 Years
HIS JOURNEY
Edward has pursued entrepreneurship on and off since age 14. He started with a popcorn wagon, then expanded into popcorn, waffles on a stick, an ice cream trailer, and eventually a brick-and-mortar location—all while focusing on growing without taking on unnecessary debt.
WHAT'S SHAPING THE INDUSTRY?
Small businesses are navigating inflation, regulations, politics, sourcing challenges, and changing food requirements. One example: the shift from artificial to natural dyes has shown Edward how even a product's appearance can change customers' perception of taste.
WHAT STUDENTS SHOULD WATCH
AI • Automation • Consumer trends • Changing industries • Business forecasting
Edward believes successful entrepreneurs will need to anticipate which industries AI will disrupt, identify new growth sectors, and pivot before competitors do.
SKILLS THAT MATTER
Data Analysis + Computers + SALES
Entrepreneurs need data to make decisions—but they also need to sell. Whether you're speaking with customers, partners, or strangers, being willing to communicate confidently is essential.
HOW TO PREPARE
“Do it all.” Take internships, volunteer, compete, lead, and talk directly to business owners. Edward even recommends asking entrepreneurs you admire if you can volunteer with them. “Experience can be more valuable than a paycheck.”
INDUSTRY MYTH
“You need a lot of money to start a business.” Edward started small, avoided debt, generated revenue, and reinvested it: START SMALL → EARN → REINVEST → SCALE
BEST ADVICE
Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Take opportunities other students might avoid. Learn beyond the textbook, study other entrepreneurs' mistakes, and don't let fear of risk stop you from starting.
RESOURCE PICK
Build With Rob — Rob Dyrdek
LEADERSHIP IN ONE LESSON
Show you care—about your community, customers, and employees.
INDUSTRY IN ONE WORD
EXCITING
TWO INDUSTRIES. ONE BIG TAKEAWAY.
Shiromi and Edward work in very different spaces – deep-tech longevity and food entrepreneurship – but their advice to students shares a powerful theme: Don't wait until you're “ready.”
Stay curious. Talk to people. Learn beyond the classroom. Put yourself in unfamiliar situations. Study where industries are heading, and start building experience before someone gives you permission or a title. Shiromi's approach: Practice the behaviors of the career you want. Edward's approach: “We will never be ready, so why don't we just do it?”
Learn early. Start small. Stay curious. Take the opportunity.
INDUSTRY CHALLENGE
THE 60-SECOND ENTREPRENEUR
Look around your school, community, or everyday life and identify one problem you think a business could solve.
Record a 60-second video pitch answering:
1 . PROBLEM – What problem did you notice?
2 . SOLUTION – What's your business idea?
3 . CUSTOMER – Who would use or pay for it?
4 . WHY YOU? – What makes your idea different?
Standout pitches will be featured in an upcoming Texas DECA newsletter and Instagram post!
Maximum: 60 seconds
Submit your video here by September 16 for the chance to be featured: https://txdeca.wufoo.com/forms/xss65sf0bpzmdd/
As Edward Grochowski shared in this month's Industry Insights: “We will never be ready, so why don't we just do it?”