O’Rea after taking first place at the GCU Canyon Challenge in May 2019
I recently had the privilege to sit down with Areahna O’Rea the founder of Ninjobi, a company that looks to help businesses understand, hire, and retain Millenial and Gen Z employees. It was great to get a deeper understanding of the founder and why she started her company.
- Hi Areahna, where are you from, how old are you, and what do you do?
Areahna: Hello Connor, I am a 23-year-old Millennial/Gen Z expert that is starting a Human Capital Logistics company in the Phoenix Arizona area.
- What made you become an entrepreneur?
Areahna: I have always been an entrepreneur as far back as I can remember. I even have a book that I wrote when I was 5 that is about me selling apples (which I would never do now, awful margins) and making money.
- Obviously you are the founder of Ninjobi, tell me, why did you start it and how long ago did you start?
Areahna: I wouldn’t say I started Ninjobi as much as it has evolved over time from an idea. I think when I started I had a glance at what this could be which excited me and over the past 2 years, I have gotten to take it in a pretty cool direction that I am personally happy about.
- What are 3 adjectives that describe you best?
Areahna: I would have to say goofy, serious, and workaholic (I’m really an oxymoron)!
- What would you say drives you to keep working hard each and every day?
Areahna: Insanity, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I am always looking to improve and become better. I can’t even give you a straight answer other than I truly love what I do and I am so passionate that I will keep going until I succeed.
- How do you handle adversity and doubt both in life and in your business?
Areahna: It may sound funny but I handle it by handling it, whatever it is I know that there is nothing I can really do to change it so I find a way. At one point that was my motto ‘Handle It’ and it will go away. As far as doubt, I learned that it never really goes away for me. Just like fear you handle it by doing it even though you doubt yourself or you are scared. I usually acknowledge whatever is going on with me and push myself do it anyway because I know it will pay off in the long run.
- What is your advice when it comes to making mistakes?
Areahna: I believe all of the mistakes that I have made while painful were 100% necessary for me to get where I am today. I pride myself on learning from others mistakes, so if I do make a mistake I think of it as a personal lesson that I needed to learn first hand.
- What would you say, as the founder, is the future of Ninjobi?
Areahna: Global domination!!
- How important do you feel it is to give back to the community around you?
Areahna: I think it is vital to give back to the community. No one can do this alone, and the resources that you use need to be given back to help others. It is always great to have the opportunity to help others and I like to do it any chance I get!
- To what or who do you contribute to your current success?
Areahna: I mean I couldn’t give you a true list there are truly hundreds of things and people that have got me to where I am. The top would be God, my family (specifically my mom), my friends who let me talk about my idea for hours all the while not knowing what I was talking about, Grand Canyon University and it’s professors. I mean really the list goes on from the people who have impacted me in incredible ways all the way down to the random person who smiled at me and helped me keep on going.
- If you had a single piece of advice for someone just starting out, what would it be?
Areahna: Start acting today and believe in your vision even if you are scared it will fail.
- Thank you so much for your time Areahna and keep up the great work! I am so excited to see where you take Ninjobi moving forward!