Fostering Global Connections and Feeling Free- Evin Schwartz’s P3

Evin is the CEO and Founder of Belouga, a digital platform providing teachers and students with the ability to connect, communicate and collaborate with their peers around the world. The platform is driven by interactive content that gives all users an experience to learn about the world, with the world. Evin is a startup exec with 13+ years of experience overseeing business development, marketing and operations with marketplace and social innovation focused companies. He has extensive experience working with the Gen-Y and Gen-Z demographic, and has looked to connect these audiences with business strategies focused on social impact. He believes a simple connection can make a tremendous difference in understanding and accepting other cultures around the world.

I was first introduced to Evin and Belouga through others. I listened to him speaking to Rola Tibshirani on her Missing Link podcast. Then, after recording Michael Drezek’s P3, he enthusiastically connected me to Evin, his good friend thinking it would be a wonderful opportunity to find common ground and places for collaboration, It was. It also led me to having Evin and his colleague, Erin Dowd, representing Belouga on the panel of the recent Teach the Sustainable Development Goals episode of OnEdMentors. Evin commented that preparing for that show was easy because they were, “Sharing the great stories of educators, students, [and] organizations from around the world that are making these differences on a day to day bases.” Referring to the show, Evin said, “It was a great way to learn more and share resources about creating sustainable development locally and globally.” There is so much more we can all be doing to be a part of transforming our world through the Global Goals.

Preparing for his P3 sent Evin down a time machine. There are so many different genres that he listens to every day, and trying to pinpoint these three songs felt like the soundtrack of his life. “Being able to reflect on how a song can actually transform an experience or a moment for an individual was a really cool…” The recording even left him on a high.

Evin’s nostalgic song takes him back to New York, where he grew up. After he had just bought this cool boombox, he went to a record store that he would often ride up to with his friends and linger at called The Wall. “That was my first CD ever.” The album was something that, “...transformed one decade...going from grunge to 90’s alternative.” While he could have selected any song on the Dookie album, Evin shared that this song really tells the story of being a teenager, of growing up and having those experiences that help you find yourself. It helps him reflect on those early days, pre-internet, when “everything felt simple.” Here is When I Come Around by Greenday.

When asked about selecting his identity song, Evin said, “This one was the easiest one for me.” He was introduced to the artist when he first got to college and, subsequently, consumed everything that he produced. This song is one of his favourites. “There are a tonne of songs I could have chosen, but [this song] seemed to hit personally.” He took away the message of carving your own destiny adding, “There's one at bat here.” Evin shared that the song’s message is that there is room to celebrate everyone's unique selves. Another message in the song for our guest is about self determination. Evin feels that was not made out for a corporate job and felt destined for entrepreneurship. “On that journey, you have to be your best cheerleader.” Being able to express your own creativity, be self-directed, and forge your own path are driving forces for Evin. Here is the song that tells his story, Tom Petty’s Wildflowers:

Evin’s pick-me-up song is a classic at weddings and bar mitzvahs. This song is one that he called crazy, especially because of its affiliation with the movie, Animal House from National Lampoon. “I think it’s one of the greatest songs of all time...This song, to me, represents everything that is good…,” (but don’t tell his dad because he’s a die-hard Beatles fan). The backstory to why it’s special to Evin began with the movie, but it came full circle for him at his wedding. “You play it at a wedding, everyone is on the dance floor 24/7.” It was played at his wedding, and he called it “epic”. The last song of the night was a reprise and a blast for he, his wife and all of their guests (wish we had some footage from this double play). “It represents exactly what cutting back should b: relaxing, having fun with friends, coming together…” Here’s Shout by Otis Day and the Nights from the movie:

You can reach out to Evin on Twitter @EvinSchwartz. Check our Belouga’s website or find them on Facebook and Twitter @Belouga_