Miami, FL → Philadelphia, PA

Building.
Finance.
Community.

Incoming freshman at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. I build businesses, lead teams, and give back — from running my own barbering and vending ventures to commanding a Civil Air Patrol squadron and founding a free-haircut initiative for people getting back on their feet.

See my work Get in touch
Mengwai Jim in Civil Air Patrol dress uniform
500+
Paid haircuts delivered
250+
Families served through Interact
1K+
Instagram followers in month one
25+
Cadets led as Commander
01 — About

Where I'm at now

I'm an incoming Wharton freshman committed to learning distribution — starting with building my personal brand and putting my work out into the world. One month in, one thousand followers strong.

Right now I'm deep into startups and tech, sharpening my technical skills while shadowing a family investment office, where I'm learning how capital actually gets allocated. I'm constantly hunting for more effective solutions in the workspace through technology.

At my core, I seek to solve problems and make life more efficient. Maybe a startup sprouts from there — who knows.

The Wharton School — University of Pennsylvania
Incoming Freshman · Class of 2030
Doral Academy Prep — School for Advanced Studies
High School Diploma · 2026
Miami Dade College
Associate in Arts, dual enrollment · 2026
02 — Ventures & Work

Things I've built and run

Self-employed since sophomore year — every venture below was started and operated while carrying a full course load.

Jun 2026 — Present

Personal Brand

Building my personal brand on Instagram — documenting the journey across building, finance, and community. Crossed the 1,000-follower mark in the first month. Distribution is the skill I'm going to Wharton to master; this is the daily rep.

2026 — Present

Family Investment Office

Shadowing a family office — learning how opportunities get evaluated and capital gets allocated, building the foundation for a future in markets, startups, and tech.

Dec 2023 — Present

Barber

Delivered 500+ paid haircuts and built a loyal client base through social media (600+ followers). Handle scheduling, client communication, equipment, and marketing end-to-end.

Oct 2024 — Present

Vending Machine Owner / Operator

Own and operate a vending business under my own LLC — managing $1K+ in inventory and sales, supplier coordination, product pricing, and location partnerships to generate consistent passive income.

Jul 2023 — Present

Futures Trader

Trade index futures with disciplined risk management — earned funded status through a selective professional evaluation.

2025 — Jun 2026

Quantitative Research Intern

Executive internship at Miami Dade College under Prof. Shaheer Kazmi (Johns Hopkins), where I built an automated trading bot from the ground up — data collection, back-testing, and risk logic. Equal parts engineering and finance.

03 — Leadership & Service

Teams I've led, causes I've served

Four years of leading organizations — from a 25-cadet Civil Air Patrol squadron to founding service initiatives that outlast me.

Cadet Commander · 2022 — Present

Civil Air Patrol

Rose from cadet to Commander of a 25+ member squadron. Built the Cadet Basic Course (50–60% retention increase), captained the Color Guard from veterans' memorials to an NFL event at Hard Rock Stadium, and led the squadron to the Quality Cadet Unit Award. Earhart Award — top 5% of cadets nationally.

Founder · Present · Silver Knight Nominee

Shear Kindness Initiative

Founded a free-haircut initiative helping people re-enter the workforce with confidence. Partnered with AFE Comunidad, Miami Springs Rehab, and Hermanos de la Calle to deliver dozens of free cuts to seniors, immigrants, and unhoused residents.

Founder & President · 2023 — 2026

Interact Club

Founded and grew Interact across two campuses into one of the school's most active clubs — engaging over 50% of the student body. Packed food for 250+ families, ran city clean-ups with Public Works, and assembled 120+ AP study kits.

Treasurer · 2025 — 2026

Student Government Association

Managed SGA finances for 120+ students — budgeting, event logistics, fundraising, and monthly budget reports to the executive board.

VP — NHS & FBLA · Treasurer — PBL · 2024 — 2026

Honor & Business Societies

Organized the St. Jude Walk supporting 500+ participants. Revitalized a dormant FBLA chapter into a 30+ member community, earning Champion Chapter recognition. Captained the Bloomberg Global Investment Challenge team managing $1M+ in simulated assets.

Teen Catechist Assistant · 2024 — 2026

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Mentored a class of ~15 students ages 10–12 in my parish's CCD program — guiding discussions, grading, and supporting their personal growth every week.

04 — Recognition

Awards & honors

The highlights — selective national programs, aerospace honors, and academic distinctions.

Coca-Cola Scholars Semifinalist school spotlight feature

Coca-Cola Scholars Semifinalist

Selected among 1,237 seniors from 107,000+ applicants nationwide — roughly the top 1.2%.

QuestBridge Finalist announcement

QuestBridge Finalist & Prep Scholar

National program matching high-achieving students with the country's top universities.

Award ceremony at City of Sweetwater

Earhart Award — Civil Air Patrol

Awarded to the top 5% of cadets nationally, following the Mitchell and Wright Brothers Awards.

Certificate of Achievement from District 5 School Board Member Danny Espino

Certificate of Achievement — District 5

Recognized by School Board Member Danny Espino for leadership and consistent community service.

1%

Top 1% SAT

Scored in the top 1% of test-takers nationally.

2026

Silver Knight Nominee — Business

Nominated for Miami-Dade's most prestigious student honor for founding Shear Kindness and its community impact.

AP Scholar with Distinction AP Scholar with Honor College Board National Recognition Program Hispanic Recognition Award Topstep Certified Funded Trader FBLA State-Level Competitor Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate Quality Cadet Unit Award Crisis Service Award — CAP Aerospace Education Excellence Certificate Middle School Valedictorian Kukkiwon Taekwondo Certified Principal & Silver Honor Rolls National Honor Society
05 — Moments

Life in pictures

Snapshots from the work — service, business, and everything in between.

Showing a young client his new haircut in the mirror
The final reveal — Shear Kindness Initiative
Color Guard team at Hard Rock Stadium
Presenting colors at Hard Rock Stadium — CAP Color Guard
With the vending machine business
Inventory day — vending operations
Leading cadets at Civil Air Patrol encampment
Flight command — Civil Air Patrol Encampment
Delivering holiday gifts to local kids
Holiday gift drive — National Honor Society
Community service group event
Community service day — School for Advanced Studies