What's your only comfort in life and in death? | Dan Wykoff | TEDxChattanooga
Dan Wykoff takes the stage to talk about his version of “yes, and” with the aid of his appreciation for a couple of grammatical symbols. Dan is a follower of Jesus Christ, and anyone who’s ever met his wife Kristin can testify that he definitely married up. Kristin and Dan have four children who are currently in college, high school, middle school, and elementary school.Along with actively serving with several nonprofits, Dan serves as Chief Financial & Operating Officer for Branch Technology. Headquartered right here in Chattanooga, @branchtechnology employs 50 individuals, 32 of which are human. Dan enjoys the 18 robots he gets to work with, but loves the humans much more and finds delight in walking beside people of all ages through the ups and downs of life. He believes humans flourish best when in community, and believes that every human has dignity and is worth investing in. 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
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- 7:31Capes Don't Enable The User To Fly | Gaurang Gadia | TEDxYouth@NMSGaurang Gadia captivated the audience with a casual, almost conversational monologue that felt less like a speech and more like listening to a close friend spill their journey over a late-night chat.He began where many dreams are born — the school canteen. Amid the chaos of picking drinks and debating who’d pay, he noticed a glaring gap: iced teas without tea, lemonade without real lemons. This casual observation sparked a mission to create healthier, more authentic beverages.Balancing lectures, societies, and events, Gaurang spent evenings learning food science and sourcing ingredients. Friends became taste-testers, as he experimented with honey as a sweetener—long before it was trendy. His big break came at Khan Chacha, an iconic Delhi eatery. Once a place for school hangouts, it became his first distributor, marking a full-circle moment.“Business has highs and lows,” he admitted, emphasizing the importance of acting on ideas—no matter how absurd they seem. At just 19,without prestigious credentials or a business background, Gaurang dared to try. His passion, he stressed, outweighed external validation.His lessons went beyond entrepreneurship. Gaurang highlighted valuing friendships, upskilling, and pursuing projects for passion, not just résumés. When asked about competitors, his humility shone through: “It’s good more people are creating organic products. I can’t handle the entire food industry myself.”Gaurang’s story was more than business—it was about small beginnings and the courage to believe. From backbench chats to distributing his first product, he inspired attendees to act on their wildest ideas. Whether a drink recipe, side hustle, or dream buried in notebooks, he left them with one unshakable message:"Act. The world is shaped by those who dare to try." Gaurang Gadis is the founder of FOMO Brews, a unique iced tea brand featured on Shark Tank, he’s committed to delivering authentic, unadulterated recipes crafted in-house, with ingredients sourced directly from India’s hinterlands. His leadership extends beyond his venture; as the President of the Entrepreneurial Cell at Hansraj College, he spearheaded initiatives to cultivate innovation and business acumen among peers. Additionally, he served as the lead organiser for TEDx Hansraj College, bringing thought-provoking discussions to the campus. A skilled orator with a deep understanding of economics, he delivers insight and clarity to complex topics. His athletic background as a cricketer who trained with the Rajasthan Royals further reflects his dedication, discipline, and teamwork—qualities he leverages in his entrepreneurial journey. His multifaceted experiences continue to fuel his ambition to make a positive mark in both business and society. 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
- 18:22The Next World War - The War For Entrepreneurship | Tushar Saini | TEDxYouth@NMSTushar Saini made a sharp contrast between the war of old times with the war of today, a sharp distinction between the warrior of the ancient era with the warrior of the future. He took the attendees on a journey through history, tracing the evolution of warfare from the primal struggles of prehistoric man fighting for survival, to the territorial expansions of ancient empires, the colonial conquests, and the industrial revolutions that reshaped economies. After that, he shone light on today's scenarios and the types of wars fought in today's time, which are all centred on economy, GDP and trade. Startups of today are the centre of power and are immensely influential that they have the ability to bend political leaders and stand on their own feet and become changemakers. The war of the past was about spears, the war of the 20th century was about nuclear weapons but the war of today is only about startups. The key takeaway? You don't always have to do something big- start small and start with a smile. Tushar Saini is a dynamic entrepreneur & mentor, recognised for his contribution to India’s startup ecosystem. An SRCC topper and Young Entrepreneur Award winner, he founded CUET Pro, a leading platform for entrance exam preparation. He is a partner at NEOS Angels Network, supporting startups with consultancy and funding. His dedication to fostering innovation led him to establish Nstart, India’s premier high-school incubation centre equipped with advanced resources to support young minds. He also mentors at top institutions like Global Centre for Entrepreneurship and Commerce and Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, leveraging his expertise with aspiring founders. As City Lead at Headstart, a major grassroots organisation, Tushar drives support for startups across 20+ cities. Passionate about inspiring young entrepreneurs, he has motivated many students to launch their own ventures, actively paving the way for emerging talent. 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