What would it take for you to leave the safety of your 9-5? What are you so passionate about that you have to do it today? This month we talk to GridAKL / Tech Café member Tyrone Tangata-Makiri about leaving the safety of  ‘the typical job’ to start a project…

How did you come to be a member of the Tech Café?
I used to work at Auckland Council as a Community Action Youth and Drugs (CAYAD) advisor and would work with organisations and community groups to create social change. I felt I had accomplished what I could and was ready to challenge myself and be apart of an environment which will allow me to achieve my aspirations.

Tell us about what you do, and what makes you different!
Well I have two projects, Firstly I am apart of a collective and we call ourselves No Six. Essentially we are a content agency for social impact. Our big hope is to live our dream creating our own narrative, while acting as a path for young people with limited access to the typical means to succeed, to not just succeed but actually thrive.

We are running a space at Te Oro helping people create original digital content and creating content on both a commercial, and community focussed basis.

Secondly, I have my own project called From Purpose which is about enabling people to create a life they want to live. I am currently documenting my journey out of work and talking about the struggles and successes of being an entrepreneur.

Why did you take on your current project?
There are few reasons why I decided to work on this project. The first being I grew up in a community filled with stories to tell but not an abundance of resources to showcase those stories to the world. Secondly I loved the work I did as a job but I was only 95% satisfied. I saw I had a chance to fulfill my passion with others and show the next generation the possibility of forging their own path.

The average day is ….
Me vlogging and editing. I have been documenting my journey leaving work, so at the moment trying to capture, edit and upload while finding time to share it with the one I love has been my life.

(Video content created by No Six for a local fashion entrepreneur) 

I think the next four months are going to look like ….
A mission. I think there is no better word to describe the enduring time ahead which will have be to strategic and fast.

Success to me looks like…
A norm where disadvantaged young people have the support, self belief and tools they need to enable them to follow their passion.

I really respect  …
people who care for people. It’s easy to not care, so i respect those who are willing to help where they can.

The one thing I wish someone had told me before I started out is …
You have to trust your future self. Things will be hard at times but you will figure it out.

Other than what i do for a 9-5 thing I am also good at … Playstation?
Don’t really get to play it that much but if you are interested in playing me at NBA2K we can make it happen 🙂

This blog post was written by GridAKL / John Lysaght Building team member Anya, if you have a story you think she would love to write about tweet her about it.