Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:44 — 28.5MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
In this edition of Stand Out Be You Podcast, your host Tequila Dodard is joined by Margot Sandy, product development engineer and co-creator of the 828 Movement.
Margot left her corporate position to start her own business, following her passions to help others through this unique fundraising campaign. The 828 Movement is geared toward helping children succeed, improving overall education for schools, and supporting teachers throughout the US, all while remembering the complicated history of education inequality.
Listen for Margot’s insightful opinions and lessons learned during this campaign, from inception to present!
Unfortunately, there are so many schools in need, and very often education is not a topic that’s talked about. And I want these kids to know that, hey—your voice is heard.
We’ve all heard about how socioeconomic status and race play a huge role in education for schools nationwide.
Just recently, an article by the New York Times found that in public schools in the US, districts with the most students of color still get on average 15% less funding than those in the whitest districts—and of course, students from low-income families usually face many different kinds of challenges throughout their academic careers.
With this atmosphere in mind, closing the gap and giving back in terms of education inequality has been close to Margot’s heart for some time. In this episode, she discusses her personal reasons for creating this new project to help children succeed in school.
As a product engineer, Margot was in a great place to design the stylish 828 bracelet to help fundraise for this cause. This bracelet has a thoughtful and symbolic design, created to help honor past generations and the steps they made toward education equality, and to show hope for the future. Of course, like any great project, getting the 828 Movement off the ground led to several challenges!
Margot discusses some of these hurdles the movement has faced in its early development, as well as her future goals in fundraising for schools.
If you have little or no experience in the internet or entrepreneurial world—but are looking for some good tips—Margot’s insights are great to have. Whether your work is in education, fundraising, or another area entirely, this inspiring story will make you want to share your talents with the world.
Tell your story and inspire others like you! Share your thoughts, opinions, insights, and lessons from entrepreneurship, business, and life. Go to TequilaDodard.com to connect with us and learn more.
If you want to help support education for schools through this fundraising effort, pre-order your 828 bracelet today to be a part of the first school donations! For each purchase, 15% of the proceeds go directly to underfunded urban area schools throughout the US who need support.
If you want to help with this project or connect with Margot, check out the movement’s resources below:
Margot is currently traveling the world while running an entrepreneurial enterprise (In The Now, LLC) with a focus on engineering consulting, mentoring students with the next steps in their careers and public speaking.
Previously, Margot was part of the Brookstone Lab as a Senior Mechanical Engineer after years of developing consumer products in cross-functional teams as a Product Development Engineer at Fisher-Price. In both positions, she gained nearly 10+ years’ experience with the inter-workings of public and private companies that had revenues of over 6 billion dollars and over 100 million dollars. In her roles at these companies she was responsible for developing consumer products in cross-functional teams (Marketing, Industrial Design, Packaging Engineers, Quality Engineers and Electrical Engineers) from product conception to production start.
Over the years, she has engaged in a range of engineering opportunities that span from traditional engineering in Rochester, NY to working at a Medical Device company in Sydney, Australia. The variety of experiences in addition to her diverse educational background at Rochester Institute of Technology (MS / BS Engineering) has allowed Margot to excel in Product Development and fueled her passion for learning and product creation.In addition to her work experiences, Margot also has a passion for volunteering and enjoys competitive running, CrossFit, corny jokes and international travel.
Subscribe and Listen in as I interview Small Business Owners & Solopreneurs just like you and me that have started their own businesses helping others.
3 thoughts on “Helping Children Succeed Through the 828 Movement with Margot Sandy | SOBY 008”