At the beginning of our junior year, Co-Founders Daniel Platovsky and Aidan Tau envisioned creating a space where students could learn about business, exchange ideas, and listen to experienced entrepreneurs. That vision led to the founding of the Entrepreneurship Club at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. It quickly became a center for excitement and learning, especially when guest speakers came to share their stories.
One guest, Jacob Rutenbeek, CEO of Sailplan, left a lasting impact on us. Not only did he motivate and inspire us to pursue our entrepreneurial dreams, but he also offered a $5,000 investment to help us start a business of our own. We were stunned. A thought that once felt impossible suddenly seemed achievable. Empowered by the trust he instilled in us; we turned to collectively brainstorming a transformative business idea. That’s how myKickStrt was born.
Our idea was derived from our shared experiences. Many of us in the club had recently navigated the college application process. While we were fortunate to have access to valuable resources and opportunities, we saw how many of our peers weren’t as lucky. There was an obvious disparity gap; students with strong connections and wealth often had access to prestigious internships, meaningful community service projects, and part-time jobs tailored to their interests. On the contrary, other equally hardworking and deserving students struggled to find similar opportunities, putting them at a disadvantage in an increasingly competitive college admissions landscape.
We knew something needed to change. Beyond college prep, we also noticed how difficult it was to find internships and part-time jobs as high schoolers. Mainstream job platforms weren’t designed for students; they were overwhelming, unhelpful, and rarely offered roles intended for high school students. In response, we decided to create a platform that would make extracurricular opportunities easily accessible to all students, regardless of their background or circumstances.
myKickStrt became our solution. We built a digital marketplace where students can discover a plethora of opportunities tailored to their goals, whether landing a part-time job, securing an internship, or contributing to their community through non-profits. Our platform connects students with resources that prepare them for their future careers, gives all students an equal opportunity to be admitted into their dream schools, and fosters purposeful relationships between local businesses and the community. We’re proud to say that myKickStrt is more than just a business; it’s a mission. As students ourselves, we understand the challenges of trying to differentiate yourself in the eyes of admissions officers. myKickStrt is here to elevate students’ applications and help them shine.
From the moment Jacob offered us his support, we’ve never looked back. What began as an ambitious idea has transformed into a fully functioning student-built platform that redefines how high schoolers access extracurricular opportunities. Founded by three seniors from Parkland, FL, myKickStrt is driven by our passion and determination to make a difference for our fellow students. We’ve been in your shoes and know what it takes to succeed. With myKickStrt, we’re giving students the tools they need to go above and beyond, and we can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make.