“The idea for Success Secrets came through volunteering. My friends and I worked with many different nonprofits, meeting so many mentors who have given us advice that really stuck. We realized how lucky we were to have access to people like that, and we wanted to find a way to share those experiences with our community. That’s when the idea of turning those conversations into a podcast started to feel meaningful.

What pushed us from just talking about it to actually recording were our parents. Since all of our families are close, they encouraged us to go for it and told us that this podcast could open doors for us while also giving back. Knowing they believed in us made us want to take the project seriously.

At first, I didn’t have any expectations. We just wanted to share the podcast with our families and see where it would go. I never imagined that people from different countries would end up listening, or that we would reach thousands of views. That part still feels surreal, and I’m really proud of the work we put in to make that happen.

I would describe Success Secrets as insightful and engaging. We talk to a wide range of people, which means we get many different perspectives, tips, and life experiences. Lately, we’ve also been trying to make it more entertaining so viewers not only learn something but also enjoy watching.

One of the things that makes our podcast different is that it’s completely student-run. Our parents and mentors are there to support us, but we do almost everything ourselves. That’s why we’re so passionate about it. We know we’re putting in genuine effort, and we care deeply about what we’re creating.

The longest and hardest part of the process is reaching out to people. We’ve sent hundreds of emails, and a lot of them don’t get responses. Since we’re still a small podcast, it can be hard to get people to trust us. Every time someone says yes, it feels like a huge milestone.

Through podcasting, I think the biggest skill I’ve developed is networking. We’ve learned how to put ourselves out there, connect with others, and promote what we’re doing so that more people can learn from it too.

Early on, one of our mistakes was not having a strict schedule. We weren’t always consistent with posting or following up, and that caused our views to drop. Recently, we’ve started planning everything out more carefully and sticking to a schedule, making a big difference.

I’ve thought a lot about whether I’ll continue the podcast after high school. Even though my friends and I will all be in different places, it’s something I really want to keep doing if I have the time. It doesn’t take much to reach out and have meaningful conversations, and that’s what makes it worth it. 

Success Secrets definitely reflects who I am right now. It shows that I’m open and honest, and that I’m not afraid to share or listen. It feels like a safe space where I can grow, and I think that comes through in the way I talk and connect with people.”