Tell us your name and a little about yourself.
Charles Peter Hughes. I’m a 14-year-old entrepreneur and for the past couple years have had the privilege to manage Social Media Pages for some of the worlds biggest influencers and rappers. My newest company, launching soon, has created a vape device that feels good but is good for you. We’ve found a variety of vitamins like B12 and B6, and truly think we can end the epidemic going around in our High Schools caused by companies like JUUL and Njoy.
What exactly does your company do?
We design and manufacture vape devices without “The bad stuff” (Nicotine, Carcinogens, Aldehydes) and replace them with “The good stuff” (Vitamins, Oils, and Natural flavoring.) Due to too unethical marketing campaigns from big Vape companies meant to appeal to youth, one in five of our children are affected by them. I firsthand see friends develop severe nicotine addictions before they even start high school. The fact of the matter is TRUTH ads, health class warnings, and vapes with only one or two essential oils in them aren’t doing anything too combat the major public health problem. We believe we’ve found the solution.
What were the biggest challenges you have faced and how did you overcome them?
Jeez. Ignoring my personal life challenges, I’d say having ADHD has affected my work life a lot. When you get distracted a lot, in a world of constant notifications and everything you could ask for at your fingertips, it’s certainly hard to stay working. Recently my workload has increased a lot and so have my distractions. When I need to get “In the zone” I’ll blast my music, drink a lot of Coffee or Orange Juice, close out the ten thousand tabs I have open, and get working. As far as personal challenges go, especially lately, it’s finding time for family and friends. For the rare times I’ve been home as of late, I’ve been chatting with potential investors, manufacturers, and getting pitch decks together. While I’m still trying to overcome that, just setting times I get off my phone (I’m one too go until 4 in the morning if not stopped) and hanging out/Chatting with friends has certainly helped.
What piece of advice do you wish someone had given you at the start of your career?
For the young ones who want to get into entrepreneurship (AKA people my age), everything is fun until it’s time to execute. It’s a lot easier to look like your getting stuff is done, especially on social media, than too actually do it. Going along with that, don’t try to get rich quick just for social media attention. I used to be a culprit of this and without my former mentor, Scot Chrisman, I’d still be there today. I realized I’d rather be rich and successful than look it
Who are your biggest influences and people you admire and why?
Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela are for sure on the list. The challenges they overcame and ability too lead people to do what’s right had had a strong influence on me. But if everyone I’ve ever met, my grandfather has had the greatest influence on me. When he was in eighth grade, his father passed away and he stepped up too support his siblings Bob, Dolores, and Pat. Despite the rough situation he came from, he always did what was right, worked hard, and helped as many people he could along the way.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are?
So many people have helped me on this journey. My teachers, my parents, and my friends. I have different friends that help me with different things. I think it’s not only important to support your friends but getting their help in their best areas. My friend Lila is a great listener and Will is a great distraction. I think it’s vital to build your support system using people’s best strengths. I believe in a strong support system.
What do you see as your greatest success in life?
I would definitely say the people I’ve helped through social media. It’s really inspired me to see people reach levels of success from my advice.
Please list your social media URLs
