- Entrepreneur, founder of Pontem/Swing2Win
- Age: 15
With a decade to spare, 15-year-old John Daniels IV is a young winner in this year's Wisconsin Inno Under 25 awards.
A sophomore at Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, Daniels' family is well-known in the community. His mother, Erickajoy Daniels, is president of the Milwaukee Athletic Club. His father is president and CEO of A.L.I.V.E. Inc., a professional development organization geared toward youth.
"I think the biggest lesson they've taught me is to strive for excellence and know that nothing's impossible," said Daniels about his parents in comments to Milwaukee Business Journal media partner TMJ4. "If I put the work in and if I continue to keep working in school and managing my time, I can be the best I can."
The young entrepreneur founded his first business, the Royal Eagle, at 7 years old. Pursuing his passion to connect, Daniels designed, edited and sold greeting cards. According to a TMJ4 report, Daniels sold cards in Wisconsin, Illinois, Texas and Florida.
In 2017, the business became Pontem, the Latin word for "bridge." Daniels expanded his services to include custom greeting cards and even brand-centered websites.
"He has such an old soul and a compassionate heart," said Erickajoy Daniels. "And I love how he's trying to do for others. He challenges me, motivates me and encourages me. I look at him and see hope."
Daniels' father believes its the parents' responsibility to feed into their children's interests. Speaking to TMJ4, John Daniels III explained that though their interests might shift weekly, it's important to support youthful passions. Never shy away from your child's questions, Erickajoy Daniels recalled her father's advice.
When the pandemic hit, young Daniels pivoted his focus to another passion: finance. Still on a mission to bridge gaps, he retained the name and refocused Pontem as an entrepreneurial incubator. The company now offers services that aim to inspire "today's youth to become tomorrow's financial leaders."
Under the Pontem umbrella, Swing2Win, in collaboration with local executives and organizations, brings high schoolers and business leaders from across the city and state together over the game of golf. The goal is to create a space for young kids to connect and glean wisdom from influential power brokers in the city and state.
Daniels continues his journey with an open mind. He made his strategy clear at a recent Summerfest Tech panel presentation.
"You have to stay curious to grow," he said.
