Empowering the Next Generation: Nick Gross and Find Your Grind
If you’re a fan of the punk scene from the early 2000s, you may recognize Nick Gross, the drummer for the band Goldfinger. Now, he’s on a mission to empower young people to pursue their passions through his career exploration platform, Find Your Grind.
Find Your Grind is not your typical career guidance platform. It focuses on highlighting alternative professions that are often overlooked in traditional schools. From being a pop-punk band member to a content creator, social media manager, or even a professional esports player, Find Your Grind opens up a world of possibilities for young individuals.
The recent announcement of a $5 million Series A funding round, led by Echo Investment Capital and Gross’ investment firm, Gross Labs, marks a significant milestone for the company. This funding will enable Find Your Grind to expand its “career readiness” programs across the U.S.
Gross’s inspiration for starting Find Your Grind stems from his own experience in the music industry. Starting his music career at 17, Gross realized the importance of providing young people with the tools to explore various career paths. Traditional career guidance often focuses solely on salaries and promotions, neglecting the emotional aspect of choosing a career that aligns with one’s values and desired lifestyle.
Find Your Grind addresses this gap by focusing on four key competencies: self-awareness, career awareness, social awareness, and action awareness. The platform also features a Lifestyle Assessment that helps students identify lifestyle paths that resonate with their preferences.
One of the standout features of Find Your Grind is its mentorship program, where students can access advice from industry experts like Tony Hawk, Tony Hoffman, and will.i.am. Additionally, an AI-powered “Reflective Coach” provides personalized feedback to help students gain deeper insights into their career preferences.
Find Your Grind goes beyond just online resources. The company also organizes workforce development initiatives like lifestyle fairs, giving students real-world experience and connecting them with job opportunities that align with their lifestyle preferences.
With a goal of helping over a million students become “more future-ready,” Find Your Grind has already impacted 100,000 students. As the company continues to expand its programs to more cities, the future looks bright for the next generation of young professionals.
