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Principles to Unleash Your Potential with Sylvester Chisom (EP152)

Episode #152 Sylvester Chisom


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Sylvester Chisom is the CEO and founder of Global CTE Learning, an online career and technical education curriculum & instruction company. Sylvester is an education technology entrepreneur, the author of 4 best-selling books including his latest, “Manifest Greatness,” and the creator of the EdTech product, “The $50 Startup Program.” He also hosts the podcast, Global CTE Podcast focusing on unleashing your potential.

Your WHY 

Understanding my “why” has been a guiding principle in my life, deeply rooted in the experiences I had growing up. Witnessing my mother, a single parent, and an entrepreneur, managing her salon with relentless dedication, I saw firsthand the transformation that is possible through entrepreneurship. She wasn’t just running a business; she was crafting a legacy, overcoming challenges with grace and resilience. This profound exposure to entrepreneurship from a young age shaped my perception of success and purpose.

My mother’s journey illuminated for me the true essence of finding your passion. It’s not merely about choosing a career or starting a business; it’s about aligning your life’s work with what ignites your spirit and drives you from within. This realization became my “why” – the reason behind my endeavors, from launching my first business, a carwash, at 17 in the back of my mother’s salon, to establishing Global CTE Learning.

Now, my purpose extends beyond my ambitions. It’s about inspiring and guiding the next generation to discover their “why.” Whether it leads them to a fulfilling career or ignites the spark to start a business, I want to help them connect their professional pursuits with their passions and personal interests. My goal is to empower them to see the boundless opportunities that career tech education and entrepreneurship offer, to understand that their unique path is valid and valuable, and to embrace the journey of turning their dreams into realities. This, to me, is the ultimate expression of success – living a life that resonates not just with what you do, but with who you are.

Your Background

I’ve always believed that the seeds of success are sown from humble beginnings and a resilient spirit. My entrepreneurial journey began at 17, with nothing more than a water hose, a bucket, and a dream that stemmed from watching my mother, a dedicated salon owner and single parent, navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. Her perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit were my earliest lessons in business, teaching me that success is not just about resources, but about determination, vision, and hard work. Graduating from The Ohio State University as a first-generation college student, I carried with me the ethos of resilience and the belief that potential is limitless.

Let’s talk about the principles of unleashing potential

 I’ve learned that unleashing your potential is about embracing where you come from, using every challenge as a stepping stone, and always daring to dream big. My life’s work, from founding Global CTE Learning to authoring books and inspiring others through speaking engagements, is a testament to the power of steadfast dedication and the belief that every individual can manifest greatness.

Ted Talk story: “How to Manifest Greatness” is the link between passion and success, the need for supreme confidence, and the entrepreneurial mindset​​. I mention the principles during this talk.

Global CTE Podcast

Global CTE Podcast

Books and other products

Books and services by Sylvester Chisom

$50 Startup Youth Entrepreneurship Curriculum

$50 Startup Youth Entrepreneurship Curriculum

What’s next 

My next steps are all about deepening and broadening the impact of our work at Global CTE Learning. Currently working with over 600 school districts, my vision for the next five years is to grow this number to over 3000. This ambitious goal centers around providing school districts and educators nationwide with our industry-recognized digital credentials and badges, connected to Career and Technical Education (CTE) and our innovative curriculum, like our flagship $50 Startup Curriculum.

The core of our mission is to offer the best, teacher-friendly, and easy-to-implement curriculum resources, particularly focusing on the business cluster of content. By making these resources accessible and practical, we aim to empower educators to inspire and equip the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders. Our curriculum isn’t just about teaching skills; it’s about fostering a mindset of innovation and resilience.

In parallel with this expansion, the Global CTE Podcast will continue to play a pivotal role. This platform has been a powerful tool in amplifying the stories and work of innovators in education globally. The podcast not only celebrates achievements in the field but also serves as a beacon of inspiration and a source of invaluable insights for educators and students alike.

Through these endeavors, my goal is to create a ripple effect of empowerment, where students are not just learning but are being prepared to thrive in an ever-evolving global economy. It’s about cultivating a generation that is not only ready for the future but also capable of shaping it. The journey ahead is promising, and I am committed to ensuring that our initiatives at Global CTE Learning leave a lasting impact on the educational landscape, both nationally and globally.

Learn more here: www.globalcte.com

Sylvester Chisom’s Contact Information

Sylvester ChisomLinkedIn: sylvesterchisom
Twitter (X) @mrchisom 
Email:
schisom@globalcte.com  
Website:
https://www.sylvesterchisom.com/

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I hope you enjoyed my conversation with Sylvester Chisom. When I was on his podcast, I realized we had so much in common. Our conversation on my virtual porch just flowed since we already got to know each other. It was such an honor to have Sylvester share his story about manifesting greatness and his WHY with me. I know you’re going to be glad you listened and checked out the post here about Sylvester and his journey. Please share this podcast and the post with your friends. 

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I hope you enjoy the conversation with Brian Curcio on my virtual porch. As we were talking, I thought of what my children and I learned  about financial education and what’s still not taught now in schools. I didn’t realize that 27 states require financial literacy to graduate. I’m curious about what they are teaching. After going through the awesome resources at Rapunzl, I am excited to share his story and what Rapunzl offers with you. I know you will enjoy learning about Brian’s amazing experiences as a young entrepreneur, his journey, and that you have access to his resources and contact information. Please share this podcast and the post with your friends.

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About the author

Barbara Bray is a Story Weaver, empowerment coach, award-winning author, international keynote speaker and podcast host helping people turn life’s hardest chapters into their most meaningful work. As the creator of the Grow Your Why movement, she guides women, educators, and leaders to transform adversity into purpose, clarity, and momentum.

Her message isn’t theoretical; it’s lived. Barbara learned later in life that she survived childhood polio, a truth her parents kept secret so she would never see herself as a victim. That foundation of resilience carried her through multiple reinventions, including a career-ending injury and a lung cancer diagnosis that reshaped how she thinks about time, truth, and legacy.

For more than three decades, Barbara has worked at the intersection of storytelling and transformation, helping people reclaim their voice and direction. Through her books, podcast, and coaching, she challenges a common belief: resilience isn’t about bouncing back—it’s about growing forward, on purpose.