Prologue Profiles

Dan takes his mic to the streets and interviews Dan of the band, The Harmonica Lewinskies (@theharmonicalewinskies), at the Grove St. PATH station, Jersey City. "You go online, find chords and just keep going."  

Dan takes his mic to the streets and interviews Jasmine, a junior at Parsons (@jazzseaweed), on 8th Ave, NYC. "Don't just dream about it, take a step."

Dan takes his mic to the streets and interviews Riceball, 21, a hip-hop dancer (@riceball94), on 8th Ave, NYC. "Just follow your passion. That's why I'm here now."

Dan takes his mic to the streets and interviews Cash, an artist and illustrator (cashcooper.net), on Grove St., Jersey City. "Just show up."

Dan takes his mic to the streets and interviews Shoshannah, an associate producer for NJTV, on Grove St., Jersey City. "Doesn't matter what you studied in college because you can still make it happen."

Dan takes his mic to the streets and interviews Cookie, a fashion designer, on Grove St., Jersey City. "I just want to be genuinely happy. That's my dream."

Dan takes his mic to the streets and interviews Iyiah (@aquietrawr), a writer, on Grove St. "I'm pretty much a thinker and it turns into writing."

Dan takes his mic to the streets and interviews Leah, 27, on Grove St. "Don't get wrapped up in fricken life and just do it."

(Upfront apology for the wind noise!) Dan takes his mic to the streets and interviews Zachary, 16, photographer (@hatiiras), on the corner of Grove St. and Newark Ave. "Right now I'm just kinda walkin and shootin what I like."

Dan takes his mic to the streets and interviews Aaron, who's studying for the US Medical License Exam (USMLE), at the Grove Street Starbucks, Jersey City. "I just wanted to do something that when I look back in 50 years I feel like I actually achieved something valuable. That's all [laughs]."

Dan takes his mic to the streets and interviews Tolan, who's studying for Six Sigma Certification, at the Grove St. Starbucks. "Never stop."

"I just wanted to keep hitting the shutter." - Atif Ateeq In high school Atif fell in love with photography. After college Atif launched the NYC streetwear line, Vane, along with episode 003 guest Eric Poon, while continuing to photograph on the side.  Atif is now a video artist with clients such as DKNY, Naeem Khan and Porsche and as of November 2014 is represented by the Wall Group. You'll hear Atif discuss how he turned his passion into his livelihood, the importance of putting yourself out there, and that when all else fails, just take a break.

Generation Y has tons of reasons to not pursue their dreams: there's no clear path to success, it's too risky, people are telling you not to go for it. Prologue Profiles brings you the stories of those choosing to ignore these reasons and go after their dreams anyway. I'm proud to present to you the following 'Generation Why Not' montage using footage from the 2014 season of Prologue Profiles. I hope you enjoy! -Dan

"I just went for it." - Raquel Furtado While studying to become a nurse Raquel developed a thyroid disorder and was sentenced to a life of daily medication. Switching to a whole foods diet Raquel fully recovered and in 2012 launched her own juice business called Pitanga Juice. In the spring of 2014 Raquel raised $50,000 on Kickstarter and is now looking to open her own storefront in Bushwick, Brooklyn. You'll hear Raquel discuss how a life-threatening disorder led to a life-changing career path, the encouraging signals of success and that reaching the next level has nothing to do with your comfort zone.

"Just keep testing." - Michael Roderick After college Michael worked as a high school teacher learning how to...teach and became a theater producer on the side where he learned how to raise money. In 2010 Michael listened to his passions and took the leap to teach his own networking workshop. He hasn't looked back.  Michael is now a connector where he helps people grow their business by growing their own personal relationships. You'll hear Michael discuss he connected the dots to become a connector, the power of experiments, and that if you say you want to get to the next level you're also saying you have a lot to learn.

"Everything that currently pays my rent has started out with the idea of being a hobby." In 2005, while in college, Joe made a web-series with his friends that caught the attention of national press before YouTube even existed. Joe has gone on to build a career for himself out of making viral videos and is the co-creator of CDZA, a YouTube channel with nearly 300K subscribers. Since our interview Joe has recently become the head of digital development of Conde Nast Properties.  You'll hear how Joe rides the wave of his curiosity to create a career of his own, the importance of finding the right team, and that to see something that you've never seen before, you may be the who has to make it.

"It's riskier to me to not do something that you love." - DJ Kalkutta

"I just want to know: What am I capable of?" Originally from California, Andrew competed on a national level in both snowboarding and soccer when an unexpected injury forced Andrew to find a new path. Andrew chose to explore the world of mens style and in the summer of 2013, along with Daniel McRorie and Kyle Mosholder, founded Knickerbocker Manufacturing Co., a vertically integrated menswear company based in Brooklyn. Oh and he’s 21 years old. You’ll hear Andrew discuss how he used a setback to set him on track, the importance of doing your research, and that doing what you love means more than how you feel about it.

"The people that sit and follow the rules aren't the ones that make the history books." After college Jess was working at an ad agency but knew that a desk job wasn't for her. In August 2013 Jess decided to create her own path and left her job to become the founder of For The Good, an all-natural bath and body company. You'll hear Jess discuss her path from trends researcher to soap maker, the unexpected benefits that come from following your dreams and that if you're on the fence about going for it, get the heck off.

"I was just like, 'If not now, when?'" Taryn thought she wanted to be a fashion designer, but in college realized it wasn't for her. While working full-time at Macy's corporate she stumbled upon something that lit her up: Nail art.  Better known to her 525K+ Tumblr followers as Miss Ladyfinger, Taryn is now a full-time nail art entrepreneur, collaborating with brands such as Maybelline and Seven Jeans.   You'll hear Taryn discuss how she found her fit in the fashion world, the importance of not stopping, and that  if you're wondering when to start...start.