What if we taught kids to think like entrepreneurs before they ever entered the workforce? In this inspiring talk, former corporate leader turned business owner Vivian Kong Doctora makes the case for instilling entrepreneurial thinking in children—not just to start businesses, but to build confidence, creativity, and problem-solving skills for life. Through the Young Entrepreneur Market and her daughter’s own jewelry business, she shows how mentorship, hands-on experience, and community support can nurture the next generation of innovators. Because when kids learn to see problems as opportunities, they don’t just change their own lives—they start changing the world. I stepped away from a 21 year corporate career to follow my passion for enterpreneurship- a leap that was both terrifying and incredibly rewarding. Today, I own multiple businesses including my latest project of a new revolving sushi bar. I have learned invaluable lessons along the way. I am released my first children book, Life As Bao in 2023. MCLP graduate and an active member of the Mclean County Chamber. I co-founded the Women Elevate Women resources group at the chamber with the intent to create space for women business owners and professional to connect and elevate each other. My mission is to help others, especially youth and minorities, achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. That's why I created the Young Entrepreneur Market in 2023. As we approach our 3rd annual event in 2025, I'm committed to continuing to empower and invest in the next generation of dreamers. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

We've all heard that time is our most valuable resource—but what if everything you've been told about it is missing the point? In this thought-provoking TEDx talk, Ryan White challenges conventional ideas about time and purpose, introducing a powerful concept: living multiple lives. Instead of living a single, linear life, we can embrace multiple timelines—committing deeply to different pursuits and identities throughout our lifetime. With stories like that of MLB player-turned-spy Moe Berg, this talk invites you to rethink what it means to live fully—not by multitasking, but by living intentionally, again and again. Life unfolds not in a straight line, but through moments that intersect and redefine who we are. Ryan navigates these moments across multiple domains whether it's in a classroom, a dugout, a barbershop chair, or the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship. Over the past decade, he's crafted his understanding of business not just through textbooks but through real world engagement of teaching the principles of business, mentoring baseball players, and running his own ventures in barbering and real estate. Baseball instilled in him the value of discipline, conversation sharpened his perspective, and travel revealed to him that no single path is enough. In Ryan's world, every role is an opportunity to grow, every skill is a tool to unlock new possibilities, and every connection is a chance to serve. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In this forward-thinking TEDx talk, Santosh I, COO & Technical Director at CyberXTron Technologies, introduces the concept of the Digital Twin—a personalized cybersecurity system that learns from your online behavior to proactively defend you from digital threats. Presented at TEDxChennai Institute of Technology on January 24th, 2025, this talk explores how your digital twin could monitor your habits, detect fraud in real time, and evolve alongside you to offer smarter, tailored protection. Drawing from real-world examples, Santosh shows how this technology could revolutionize online safety—far beyond passwords and basic security tools. But with innovation comes responsibility. Santosh raises important questions about data privacy and control, urging us to consider the balance between advanced protection and personal freedom in an AI-driven world. This talk challenges us to rethink cybersecurity, not as a static defense, but as a living, learning partner in our digital lives. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx Santhosh I, Director & COO at CyberXTron Technologies, is a cybersecurity expert with over 14 years of experience dedicated to protecting businesses from online threats.Before founding CyberXTron, he served as Senior Threat Management Manager at a leading telecommunications firm, where he led the global MSS Threat Management platform, ensuring proactive defense against evolving cyber risks.At CyberXTron, Santhosh is committed to delivering top-tier security and trust outcomes by collaborating with customers, industry peers, and strategic partners to fortify cybersecurity defenses.His passion for innovation and strategic leadership continues to shape the future of cybersecurity, making the digital world safer for businesses and individuals alike. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In today’s fast paced world, it’s easy for us as teens to get caught up in the constant pressure and chaotic world around us. It feels like the world is competing in an endless, overwhelming, draining race and it can be hard to keep up. Unfortunately, many of us don’t have the right resources when it comes to maintaining our mental well-being. Too often, people avoid taking care of their mental health. I’d like to encourage every teen to slow down, take a step back, and spend some time focusing on their mental well-being. Jiya is a middle schooler at Frisco ISD, an older twin, and a passionate advocate for mental health. She’s a keen writer and has always been interested in music. Some of her hobbies include playing the flute & saxophone, photography, and spending time with her family. Outside of school—you could find her reading or working on Mindful Bites, a nonprofit she co-founded with her sister! This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Did you know your heart has a secret rhythm that affects how you feel, think, and connect with others? Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a lesser-known indicator of health, resilience, and emotional well-being. Research shows people with higher HRV have lower stress, stronger focus, and even longer lives. Athletes use HRV to improve recovery by up to 30%. Sai Balaji is a high school stem advocate from Houston, Texas, dedicated to transforming medical diagnostics and enhancing well-being through the integration of science, technology, and holistic health. She developed a machine learning model using heart rate variability (HRV) to enable early detection of sepsis, with the goal of saving lives. This work was recognized at major science fairs and published at the 21st IEEE Conference on Computational Intelligence in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. She also presented her research at the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) 2024 Conference This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

How do we lead with empathy when everything feels like it's falling apart? Drawing on his military experience, work as a psychologist and executive coach, Dr. Cedric Williams introduces a simple yet powerful framework for building cultural intelligence in times of trauma, grief, and interpersonal tension. Through a deeply personal story of witnessing tragedy in Iraq, he shows how connection, acceptance, reflection, and encouragement—the CARE model—can transform not only how we lead, but how we show up for each other as human beings. This talk invites us to confront emotional discomfort, strengthen trust, and practice leadership grounded in curiosity, humility, and care. Dr. Cedric Williams is a licensed clinical and consulting psychologist and the author of Brick by Brick: Becoming a Clinical and Consulting Psychologist. He integrates psychological science and leadership development models to support individuals, teams, and organizations in achieving meaningful growth. Dr. Williams brings extensive experience in executive coaching, organizational consulting, and assessment, working with leaders across sectors including technology, financial services, and nonprofits.His research interests focus on multicultural humility, occupational thriving, leadership, and followership. He has served on the executive board of the American Psychological Association’s Division 13, the Society of Consulting Psychology. In addition to his work as a psychologist, Dr. Williams has served soldiers and their families in the United States Army—both Active Duty and Reserve—for over 23 years. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx