91³Ô¹ÏÍø

, a sophomore at the Leeds School of Business at the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø, has always been drawn to the power of community and impact. Coming from Parker, Colorado, she explored various college options before deciding on 91³Ô¹ÏÍø, where she felt an undeniable connection.

Her journey into entrepreneurship began with an incident close to home. In May 2019, a school shooting near her residence deeply affected her and made her question the root causes of such tragedies. She concluded that mental health plays a significant role in preventing violence. Determined to make a difference, she founded the KIKA Project: an initiative centered around the concept that Kindness Inspires Kind Acts.

The KIKA Project started with a simple yet powerful idea: kindness coins. These KIKA Coins serve as tangible tokens of appreciation, given to individuals who perform acts of kindness with the expectation that they will pass them forward. This creates a ripple effect of goodwill and positivity in the community.

To launch the initiative, she ordered 2,000 KIKA Coins, distributing 1,000 to her middle school to integrate into their program. The project quickly gained traction, reinforcing her belief that even small acts of kindness could contribute to broader social change.

The Growth and Future of the KIKA Project

Since its inception, the KIKA Project has evolved significantly. Initially, Aloukika saw it as a small, fun project, but as she witnessed its impact, she realized its potential for long-term change. Over time, she identified the importance of teaching kindness at an early age, particularly as digital interactions increasingly shape social behavior.

In 2022, she expanded the project by writing a children's book that integrates the KIKA Coin concept. The story follows a young girl who discovers a KIKA Coin on a playground and uses it to address bullying and isolation in her school. The book serves as both an educational tool and a means of fostering positive environments among young students.

Currently, she sets a goal of visiting at least ten classrooms each year to read the book and distribute KIKA Coins. Though she has not yet established the KIKA Project as a nonprofit, she is actively working toward that goal, hoping to make it easier to collaborate with schools and expand her reach. Seeing students engage with the concept firsthand motivates her to continue pushing forward.

Looking ahead, Aloukika envisions transforming the KIKA Project into a nonprofit organization. She hopes to involve high school juniors and seniors who are passionate about community impact, forming a "kindness team" to visit elementary schools and lead programs focused on bullying prevention, isolation, and mental health awareness. Additionally, she aspires to host annual fundraising galas to support scholarships for students who contribute to the initiative.

Despite the project's success, Aloukika has faced challenges, including difficulties gaining access to schools and overcoming skepticism about the relevance of kindness as a movement. However, she has found that networking and engaging parents has helped her connect with teachers and gain opportunities to present in classrooms.

Overcoming these challenges has allowed Aloukika to gain valuable insight and advice for others. Her advice to other young entrepreneurs is to stay focused on their mission and believe in their project's impact. Passion and persistence are key, as obstacles will inevitably arise. By maintaining a clear sense of purpose, she believes that any venture, no