By Theresia Titus
For most students, school may act as a medium for them to explore their interests, learning how to socialise, function in society and be a place to make their own mistakes, all while learning and growing academically.
But for Kai Lovel, education has played a significant role in the exploration of his true passion.
The Mazenod College student – the school is operated under the auspices of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate – has not only allowed Kai to be an entrepreneur, broadcaster and speaker, but also a deep aspiration to become a strong leader.
“I think the most profound effect Mazenod College has had on me comes down to life values, whether it was from the rite of passage program in Year Nine called The Rite Journey, or the expectations of respect and dignity, Mazenod has instilled in me how to be a good man, and a burning desire to want to be just that,” he said
“It has not only supported the work that I do but also develops the person that I am,” he continued.”
Kai told The Record he is given extra periods during the week to do his work at school, accommodating him for his other commitments.
“Being at Mazenod College has given me so much, especially outside the classroom,” he said.
Kai began his producing and presenting experience at his local radio station at the age of 12, which enthused him to seek various means for content creation.
He then established his first eCommerce business, The Tech Thread Co.
“It only ever had six sales, but I learned so much, made some amazing connections and discovered other aspects of the business that really excited me,” Kai said.
He continued following his curiosities, creating his own podcast called Point of View, which led him to start Millennial Studios, “a social media incubator for young people with the vision of creating a platform for impactful content”.
He also co-created a peer-to-peer tutoring agency with fellow Mazenod College student, Sean Johnson, called Student Tutors United in late 2018; which translated to having owned and operated three businesses by the age of 14.
At the moment, Kai is focusing on sharing his experiences, lessons, and skills to other young people through public speaking and a soon-to-launch digital agency that will host his digital works in website designing, advertising consultancy, and digital marketing.
“I’m also about to launch my second podcast, How to be Curious, which will be about this concept of following your curiosities, and where it can take you,” he added.
Kai mentioned that his pursuit in business, content creation and public speaking, came from joy and fulfillment he gets from courageously following his curiosities of a new concept, idea or project.
“It’s freeing, especially when you are young and the world is your playground,” he said.
“My mission to follow my curiosities, and help others to do the same, is how my journey began, and that’s what inspires me to keep going.”
In the process, Kai learned that it is important not to bite off more than he can chew, trying to maintain a self-image of being able to do everything all at once, which has previously affected his mental health and ability to study.
“My biggest challenge was re-shifting my commitments, stopping the businesses and slowing down,” he admitted.
“I realised that they had been taking me on a journey to some amazing places, people and skills, but it was time for me to find a new journey and follow my new curiosities.”
Kai has also discovered over the course of his journey, to treat his failures and setbacks as gifts and opportunities.
“My biggest lesson ties into my biggest challenge, in fact, challenges in general. Our perception of challenges and setbacks determines our experience of them,” he said.
With his immense passion in content creation and love of presenting at his local radio station, Kai said he would continue to explore digital platforms and mediums, as well as sharing his and others’ stories and perspectives to the community.
“I want to go into broadcasting, either in television or radio and follow my journalistic interests, which may be through university studies or work experience,” he continued.
Aware of the negativity surrounding his generations nowadays, Kai sent a message to other young people that making the right choice is imperative.
“Live in a way that makes you a part of the solution, not the problem; align yourself with people that strongly support you for who you are because you are the way you are for a reason,” he concluded.
From pages 24 to 25 of Issue 22: ‘The Church in Perth’ of The Record Magazine