Matt Mullenweg is a young entrepreneur and the founder of popular open-source blogging software WordPress which he started whilst still in high school.

Mullenweg’s WordPress has become the No. 2 blogging platform behind Google’s Blogger, signing up 10,000 new bloggers daily.

WordPress is “open-source” software, which means that anyone can access and contribute to the program code, Which is a major issue as it is opened to security threats.

Matt who wanted to become a jazz saxophonist, after studying performing and visual arts in high school, but ended up spending most of his time coding and also loves photography.

He started by launching Ping-O-Matic with fellow wordpress developer Dougal Campbell in april 2004, Ping-O-Matic which currently handles over 1 million pings a day.

He quit the University of Houston after two years when tech news site CNet offered him a job in San Francisco and said he could continue dabbling with WordPress on the side. He left CNet when WordPress got too demanding.

Mullenweg released WordPress 1.5 “Strayhorn in February 2005, which had over 900,000 downloads, he left CNET in October 2005 to focus on wordpress

He founded Automattic, the business behind WordPress.com and Akismet in In late 2005

Mullenweg acquired the Gravatar service reportedly and also turned down an offer of US$200 million for
automatic in a deal woth US$200 Million.

In March 2007 he was named #16 of the 50 Most Important People on the Web by PC World, reportedly the youngest on the list.

Mullenweg being named to the Top 30 Entrepreneurs Under 30 by Inc. Magazine and one of the 25 Most Influential People on the Web by BusinessWeek, again the youngest on BusinessWeek’s list.

Automattic began with $1.1 million in funding from several venture-capital firms. After an unsolicited bid for the company came in for $150 million — Mullenweg won’t say from whom — it received a second $29.5 million round of financing. Investors in the company include VC firms Polaris, True and Radar, and the New York Times Co.

Gurbaksh Chahal is an American entrepreneur and a self multi-millionaire, I actually got to know of Gurbaksh when he appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss his life and business journey, and the interview really inspired me.

At age 16, Gurbaksh Chahal dropped out of high school and started his first venture, ClickAgents, I’m sure you can say he made the right decision when he started making $300,000 a month with the Internet advertising company he founded in his bedroom.

ClickAgents was an advertising network focused on performance-based advertising which after two years was sold to valueclick in a deal worth $40 million..

Chahal formed BlueLithium another advertising network which was recognized as an innovator in the online advertising space in a Business 2.0 article, Yahoo! Then bought BlueLithium for $300 million in cash On October 15, 2007.

By the age of 25, he founded two advertising companies worth $340 million, more recently appeared on several TV shows and published a memoir.

Chahal started his third venture, gWallet, a virtual currency platform for social media. He remains the Chairman & CEO of the Company.

On December 1, 2009, gWallet raised its first institutional round of financing totaling $12.5 million from Adam Street Partners, Trinity Ventures, Stanford University and various others.

He has appeared on other talk shows such as The Bonnie Hunt Show, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, CNBC, Current TV and on Neil Cavuto’s show.

Chahal appeared on an episode of the Fox TV reality show Secret Millionaire, where he went undercover in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco to give away at least $100,000 of his own money. Chahal was the pilot episode for the series. He is shown donating $90,000, but claims that other donations (which raised the total above $100,000) were “left out of the editing room floor.”

Not bad for a kid who started his company at 16 in his bedroom.

Name: Carlos Leon

Company: CML Media group

Age: 26

Location : North Hollywood

Position: Founder/CEO of CML Media group

Details of company

The CML Media Group now offers all sorts of services including web design, graphic design, video production, marketing, printing, studio and equipment rental and much more. It has an in house list of dozen of talented directors, cinematographers, photographers, animators and motion graphics artists.

A rooster of hundreds of crew members, locations, props, models, actors, and production contacts are also an asset of the company.

CML now has clients from practically every state in the union and some major corporations including Warner Brothers, Discovery Channel, VH1, MTV and Sirius Radio and from as far as Canada, the United Kingdom and Dubai.

The studio was featured on national television on a VH1 reality series and was the location for the latest music videos for Warner Brothers recording artists “Hot Hot Heat” and the Smashing Pumpkins

Background Description:

Carlos Leon, 26, is the founder of the CML Media and Entertainment Group. He was born in Havana, Cuba in the summer of 1983 and emigrated to the United States in 1985. From a very young age, Carlos showed a knack for media and cameras.

He began shooting several family events, schools functions and other video projects with the 8mm family camera. In school he excelled in several leadership positions and at 14 was named the editor in chief of his school’s newspaper at his Junior High in Whittier, CA. His photo in the yearbook had the headline “most likely to succeed”, a sign of things to come.

At 15, he started a Cuban American website portal that got the attention of several publications in Los Angeles and Miami including the Miami Herald and several local spanish newspapers.

He then went on to launch a Spanish online news website called “Oye! Gente” which covered several ground breaking news stories and was featured in several publications, radio stations and websites around Latin America.

At 19, he packed his bags, took out a loan and without vehicle or any acquaintances in the area moved across the country to attend Full Sail University, one of the top multimedia institutions in the country located in Orlando, Florida.

In 2003 he graduated with honors with a degree in Film and Video and almost immediately moved back to Los Angeles where began a production company from scratch. With no resources or funds, he began a full production multimedia company from the corner of a room in his parent’s modest mobile home in Orange County, California.

The company began providing multimedia services such as web design, video production and marketing. He placed several free ads in a local directory by stricking a bartering deal with the publishers and mailed out 100 letters to local businesses in the area. Thanks to this, he signed his first contracts and aired his first local television commercials. Some of his first clients included several multi-national corporations and companies in Miami and New York.

Simultaneously, he also launched a spanish online entertainment channel from Universal City Walk in Hollywood, CA called “Gentevision”. The online channel has covered some of the biggest latin celebrities and events from Los Angeles to Miami including the Oscars, Imagen, MTV and the Billboard Awards. It has a variety of hosts and programs currently under production and there are plans on making it a regionally based network for all of Latin America. it has covered several events from Coast to Coast including the Oscars in Los Angeles and the Latin Billboard Awards in Miami.

In 2009 it was an official media sponsor of the Billboard Awards and covered the event side by side with major media companies from around Latin America.

Carlos has also organized and promoted several company events at some of Hollywood’s top spots.
In 2008, the Entrepreneur, Studio Owner and Producer was named one of America’s Best Entrepreneur under 25 in the country by BusinessWeek magazine and called a “media mogul in the making”. He was published in countless publications around the world.

He continued his climb in the world of entertainment in 2009 with the launch of CML Music, a full fledge record label with two signed artists and production team. He introduced the label and it’s artists at a red carpet bash at Hollywood hotspot “Area” in the summer of 2009 and is currently working on developing and producing several songs with his team.

YHP Interview with Carlos Leon

Name: Jacob Cass

Company: Just Creative Designs,logooftheday and logodesignerblog

Age: 22

Location : Sydney, Australia

Position: Founder/CEO of justcreativedesign, logooftheday and logodesignerblog

Details of companies

JustCreativeDesign: His site Just Creative Design was launched in November 2007, it focuses on all areas of design and creativity, ranging from but not limited to; graphic design, logo design, web design, advertising, branding, typography, life, other graphic designers, blogging in general, resourceful material, his work, photography, colour, marketing and more

Logooftheday: Logo Of The Day is a high-profile logo design award scheme that rewards the best professional logos and trademarks designed throughout the world. All suggested logos are screened by our two judges Jacob Cass & Jeff Fisher to ensure this.

LogodesignerBlog: Logo Designer Blog is a blog focused purely on branding, logo & identity design.

Education: University of Newcastle, Sydney Australia -Bachelor of Visual Communication (Graphic Design Major).

Background Description:

Jacob was Born in Queensland, Australia in 1987, Moved to Sydney, Australia in 1990, had his first website at the age of 12, got his first freelance job designing a website at age 16, he then went on to study design & IT.

Received a Higher School Certificate within the top 10% of his state. major of his work was redesigning his high school’s website and final mark was in the top 1% of the State.

Completed Design Elements Cert II. course at TAFE college

Lived, studied & worked in Gothenburg, Sweden for 11 months.

Returned from Sweden, moved to Newcastle and started studying at Newcastle University. Won several Youth Design Awards. Started Just Creative Design in November. Took a cruise around the Pacific ocean and then flew to Fiji in December.

Just Creative Design: His site Just Creative Design was launched in November 2007, it focuses on all areas of design and creativity, ranging from but not limited to; graphic design, logo design, web design, advertising, branding, typography, life, other graphic designers, blogging in general, resourceful material, his work, photography, colour, marketing and more.

Charity: Raised USD$1620 for charity through this blog.

Personal Quote: My life is design, I love it and I surround myself in it every day.

Personality:

Passionate (I absolutely love what I do)
Enthusiastic (I want to learn)
Sceptical (I think critically)
Focused (I have the right attitude)

Hobbies: From Staying on the beach to travelling(has already been to 32 countries so far) and listening to music.

Future plans: He plans to move to new York in January 2010 to work for carrot creative design studio for 1-2 years.

YHP Interview with Jacob Cass

Name: Derek Johnson
Company: Tatango, Derek Media
Age: 25
Location : New york

Position: Founder/CEO of Tatango, Founder/CEO of Derek Media

Details of companies

Tatango: A group text messaging website
Derek Media: A social media consulting agency

Education: University of Houston
: University of Washington

Background Description:

With the vision to provide groups a free, easy and fast way to communicate with group members via SMS, Derek Johnson founded Tatango.com in 2007. Initially started as a way for his Fraternity to communicate with his Fraternity brothers, Tatango.com has grown to the leader in its industry.

As CEO, Derek is primarily focused on how to best translate user needs into a great service w
while directing Tatango.com in their strategic direction.

A 22-year-old dropout of the University of Houston Entrepreneurial program, Derek has raised half a million dollars in investments for the company from private investors and the Bellingham Angel Group.

Tatango.com has done over 35 million messages since their launch and services all types of groups such as College organizations, churches, athletic teams, political candidates and non-profit groups.

As any entrepreneur will tell you, launching a company is hard work. Derek, a self proclaimed workaholic puts in 100+ hour workweeks to fulfill his vision of Tatango.com.

Derek and the Tatango.com team have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Seattle Times, Mashable, TechCrunch, PC World, LifeHacker and other national publications.

YHP Interview with Derek Johnson

Name: Suliaman Amoako

Location: London

Business: Poetry

Suliaman aka Suli Break, a young law graduate from University of Sheffield with a known Talent. His un – hidden Talent is creating poems but most of all putting life into these poems on stage or by voice. His sole aim is to make Poetry kool, which explains how his poems generally consists different styles. Suli Break makes you think in a humorous within his poem.

Suli Break is a strong man of God with the intention to emulate the prophet, Mohammed who is also a role model to him. Along with stars who are the best at what they, such as Kobe Bryant and Denzel Washington. He is shown to write by the feelings of his heart; writing is not a routine or a compulsion. It’s his way of being an individual, a young man, a poet but most of all…his true reflection are on display by the words he speaks in his poems.

Read his interview with YHP

Name: “AHMIR” is the name of the Group that consists of four guys who are called,

- Sing-Sing from Philadelphia, PA,
- Big Mike from Harlem, NY,
- Mr. Jones from Boston, MA
- KC from Rochester, NY)

Location: Boston, Massachusetts.

Business: Music.

Boyz II Men may have retired, K-ci, Jodeci and Jojo may no more exist but Hold up, Ahmir stands as the future RnB Brothers. Heavenly yet the definition of true melodic voices are at display the moment – Ahmir sings. Chocolate can sway a women – Ahmir can wins any women’s heart. Ahmir as a group stands as a hope for the beginning of true RnB within our millennium years.

These church boys use their voices to sing about life – mostly about Love. They are presently an undersigned music group working their way towards the music industry. Each step has been a success. From recording them self on a basic home – camcorder to reaching BET Music Park and Ride Channel – winning the Wild Out Competition on Wednesday.

Ahmir began on the basis of two friends Mr. Jones and Big Mike who had the similar love towards music but most especially singing. KC was found during an audition, Sing song was presented to be the last jigsaw of Ahmir via his show at Berklee College of Music as a student.

Their Debut Album is called “The Gift” which is out presently. More plans and tours are in stock for their fans in the year 2010. These Men works as one through the sun, rain and the cloudy days….

Be expecting them, at a music store near you!

Ahmir’s Interview with YHP

Name: Jason O Neill.
Age: 13
Location: Temecula, California
Business: The founder of pencil Bugs.

Pencil Bugs is created by Jason O Neill. This idea came from the tender age of 9 through a craft fair with his mother. At his young and tender age, he was observant about life most especially academically. He was already thinking of how to make education fun. This idea created pencil bugs.

Jason was based on a good foundation via the talks his father gave him. This wasn’t the normal “father to son” talk, it was the business discussion. This encouraged Jason to go further with his business – online. He is also a living proof for receiving free media coverage – which is rare to obtain within the business world.

Mr Neill has big dreams for the future of his business; he is in the process of creating a board game and writing a book. Also, planning toys for younger children to enjoy and many more ideas are kept in stock.

Do not be fooled by the age of this youngster. Age isn’t stopping him; his dream is driving him to the future. It’s never too early to be an entrepreneur.

Jason’s interview with YHP

Name: Martina Butler
Age: 19
Location: Burlingame, California
Business: Podcast.

Miss Butler entered the business world at 15, presently at 19 with strong and big ambitions for the future. At 15, she secured a corporate sponsorship.

Presently acing her present career as a podcaster, but also with the desire to become a TV Host. In order for her dream to become reality – she is presently a host for the music network at Mevio.com, one of the top 10 music sites in the world.

Her idea of podcasting began from her inspiration – her role model….Daddy. Mr Butler encouraged her first step within the business world, as she comes as a guest speaker on his Podcasting shows. Her guest appearance drew audience and was loved by many. This gave Martina the push to create a podcast for young teenage girls.

The podcast show is base on Girls doing what they do best. Talk…however not only about the hottest guys, but also about the environment and tips on “going green. She also plays music by various indie/rock/emo artists/bands.

A different podcast station with the aim to draw many and encourage many youngsters within the category of “emo”, that there is a future.

Don’t be deceived at her success within the media alone, she is still a student. College and podcasting is shown to be her life, as she loves to be kept busy.

Martina is an inspirational figure to many young females in particular, she hopes hope that her success paves the way for more teens to have their voices heard and that more companies will recognize us as an important consumer force. Money isn’t her main drive in running a podcast….reaching out to those who needs someone to talk to someone who needs help or to those that just want to be appreciated, is her goal.

Check out our Interview with Martina

Name
Brian Tracy, born in Canada, 1944.

His Role

Brian Tracy owns a human resource company “Brian Tracy International” based in Solana Beach, California. He is the chairmen and CEO of Brian Tracy International.
He is the founder, investor and Chief learning officer of iLearning Global (the pre-eminent online business training portal in the world.)

He is also a President of Brian Tracy University, which is an online university for sales and entrepreneurship.

He is also a member of the board of trustees for the heritage foundation, in America. This foundation is an influential Washington, D.C.-based public policy research institute.
Facts about Brian Tracy

An inspirational male figure within our entrepreneurial world. As he is a self help Christian author recording works of his own as an audio book in order to help others business wise. Also via the usages of his presentations and seminars planned and organised by him.

His has a rocky background consisting of the ups and down. He was a drop out from University and from there decided to become an ordinary labourer. Life got tough, and he decided to emulate people within higher profession business wise. From the age of 25, he was a vice president over 95 people within his own business. As well he held the title of a Top Salesman. To nourish his skills, he returned to university, (University of Alberta), to gain a master degree in Business.

He is a successful man in all ways. He has a happy home – a wife and kids, and most of all his business is booming due to the course of him helping others.