Teresa Young is the Founder of TrueKonnect, an app “Konnecting” you to your ideal hairstylist. This boss babe started hustling at a young age and has continued to work hard and overcome obstacles to make her dreams become reality. Read more about Teresa Young…
Hometown: Astoria Oregon
First job: My first job was when I was 14 years old. I worked at the Crest Motel in Astoria Oregon cleaning rooms, we didn’t have much money growing up so working for me was fun because I made money and could buy the things I needed that my parents could not afford to buy me.
Favorite AZ restaurant: I absolutely love to eat clean and healthy! I always love always trying new places to eat. If I had to pick a favorite I would have to say Elements Restaurant. There is nothing better than getting dressed to the nines, eating a meal prepared by Chef Beau, all while taking in the stunning view !
Person who has impacted your life the most: The person who has impacted my life the most is Chelsea Sutton with Consultment AZ. Chelsea and I met 5 years ago when I was searching for someone to help me learn how to create a brand in the digital space. She blindly took my hand and taught me so many things about technology, social media, influencing others, and building business relationships in the digital space. I don’t think she knew what she’d be getting herself into when she took me on as a client. I knew so little about technology but was very eager to learn and motivated to change my life. With her knowledge and my drive we have become an unstoppable force. Who would of thought that with her and I meeting, it would be the beginning of TrueKonnect.
Your biggest accomplishment in your eyes: My biggest accomplishment was getting through my middle son Jaxon’s two brain surgeries. He was born with Arnold Chiari Type 1. When he was 2 he was diagnosed after struggling with brain freeze times like headaches that would literally drop him to the floor in pain for months. The brain surgeon had to perform two separate 5 hour decompression surgeries on his cerebellum to relieve the pressure of spinal fluid that was not able to reach his brain properly. Let me tell you, handing your baby crying to a team of surgeons and not knowing if he would come back the same child after surgery was one of the toughest things I have ever done.
The biggest obstacle you have overcome: The biggest obstacle I had to overcome is my own mindset! I had always held myself back from my real potential by telling myself that because I did not have a college education that I was not smart enough or good enough to become the business woman I had always desired to become. Once I was able to change the story I was telling myself, my new world opened up.
Someone who inspires you: I know this may be an unusual answer, but the person who most inspires me is my father. My dad was a hardworking man, liked by many people, but he always struggled with the disease of alcoholism. He unfortunately was an absent father and husband because of his addiction. He never showed up in my life, he missed all of my events, yet I always loved him. He lost his life to the battle of alcoholism at the age of 57 when I was 24. To this day he inspires me to be all of the things that he could not. He inspires me to be an incredible mom, wife, and human. His life inspires me to leave a legacy for my family, to rise above all odds, and never quit trying to become the best I can be.
Favorite quote: The secret to success is to be prepared when opportunity knocks on your door.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: My best advice for someone that wants to pursue a career in technology is, before you jump all in, make sure that you do market research. Make sure there is a demand for what you want to build. This will save you a lot of time, and money. Always remember that you are building something for the people and just because you love your idea does not mean every one else will.
What you think makes someone fabulous: I honestly am a push over when it comes to thinking people are fabulous. I am super social and think people in general are fabulous. I am the type of person that never meets an enemy, I love people and all of their fabulous unique qualities. If I had to choose what I feel makes someone extra fabulous, I would have to say it would be the ability to love others for who they are, and where they are in their lives.
Learn more about Teresa’s business TrueKonnect at truekonnect.com.
