How Creativity Is Saving Lives

When Social Entrepreneur Alanna J. Wall was just 10 years old, she founded a non-profit organization which has helped 2,000 sick children over the past 2 years. The secret to her success? Passion, Purpose, and Planning…

A lot of people know me as a cubicle loathing adventurer, entrepreneur, and dancer who’s mission is to bring more creativity to Corporate America. While I don’t always have as much time to dedicate to dance as I’d like, one way I’m able to make the best use of my # 1 passion is by utilizing my creativity to make a difference. I’d like to introduce you to a special friend who I’ve made on this amazing journey who’s doing the same…

Alanna for Teen Vogue in her self-made Tutu

Meet 12 year old, Alanna. When she was just 10 years old she discovered her gifts for drawing and like most little girls a passion for nail polish! Being the daughter of a Registered Nurse, Alanna always asked if she could go to work with her Super Mom to help make the sick children feel better. Despite multiple attempts, Alanna was told that she was just too young to volunteer. So she found a creative way to solve a problem.

Alanna took her passions for art, nail design, and making people feel better and started a non profit called “Polished Girlz“. Through her non-profit she was able produce the result she envisioned; happier, healthier children.

I have worked with many small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to launch a non-profit organization. So how was this talented 10 year old able to successfully achieve a 501c3 status when most adults in the industry say it’s hardest thing they’ve ever had to do? I’ve had the blessing to get to know Alanna’s mom and her story, and my observation to what we can all learn from this pre-teen smartist, is when we feel an innate need to make the impossible happen, there are three main factors to remember in order to succeed in anything you do; passion, purpose, and planning.

Now although it might feel like it sometimes, ambition isn’t enough to make huge strides. It wasn’t until Alanna brought her ideas to her mom, a Health Care industry specialist, that she was able to understand how to put her ideas to work, in a hospital.

Just like many of our ideas, they’re rejected multiple times until we can prove there’s a purpose. Having someone with experience like Alanna did with her R.N. mom, instantly opened up the door to solve a problem in hospitals nationwide. Alanna was taught that while having fun nail polish parties will make a lot of sick little girls sparkle, she could also go in with the purpose of using manicures to inspire more hand washing in order to reduce infection rates and repeated hospitalizations.

Planning is also a major part of 12 year old Alanna’s triumphs with launching her Non-profit. When I asked Alanna if being an entrepreneur at such a young age hurts her grades, she responded with: “How smart is this? I got straight A’s on my report card yesterday!”

Alanna’s mom Valerie says being in school helps keep them on track because she knows where she’s going to be everyday, at the same time, and it allows her to be consistent. Plus, Alanna is so passionate about polishing, she is even more accountable when getting school work done in time and being an example for her peers. Without planning, Alanna wouldn’t be able to easily execute on her passions and purpose which has now expanded to grow her list of volunteers nationwide.

I met Alanna and her Mom when I learned about Polished Girlz launching their New York City division later this year.

From the East Coast to the West Coast, I’m so proud to join 12 year old Alanna and her growing team of inspirational volunteers who have polished over 2,000 girls in just 2 years. The Polished Girlz mission was accomplished by creating a higher quality of life for hospitalized children through connection, less hospitalizations, and lots of fun with glitter, but this 12 year old smartist hasn’t yet realized that she’s created opportunities for other millennium entrepreneurs to make a difference with their creativity.

Even Disney noticed this pre-teen Smartist making it happen… See Alanna’s segment on “Make Your Mark on the World” by clicking here or on the photo below!

Follow Alanna on twitter: @PolishedGirlz