The D-MAX Effect: Sometimes You Get to See the Ripple

I left BLITZ Bangor this year knowing I had to make one phone call.

To Jocelyn, a former UMaine student of mine. I needed her to know that a connection she made years ago was still making an impact.

When I taught at UMaine, Dorian often came to class with me. He'd share his fundraisers, ideas, and little nuggets of wisdom with my students.

One of those students was Jocelyn.

She took Dorian under her wing, helping him with social media and marketing. She even rallied her sorority to volunteer at his Winter Carnival, where he raised money for the Snack Fund.

What started as a classroom connection grew into a friendship that extended well beyond campus.

Fast-forward to BLITZ Bangor.

As Program Manager and Entrepreneur in Residence with UpStart Maine, I have the privilege of helping bring this entrepreneurship conference to life. This was Dorian's second year attending.

During the event, he found himself talking with a group of UMaine business students who were brainstorming ways to get more students to attend their fundraiser.

Interestingly, these students had just met Dorian the week before when he was invited to hear Jack Wilson speak in their class, and Jack called him on stage.

As they talked through their challenge, Dorian offered a suggestion:

"You should connect with Greek life. They really show up and support each other's events."

And my heart just about burst.

Here was my high school freshman, standing among college business students, teaching them how to leverage their networks using something he'd learned firsthand from one of my former students.

And that's why I had to call Jocelyn.

Because years ago, she thought she was simply helping a little boy with his fundraiser. What she couldn't have known was that she was giving him knowledge, confidence, and an experience he would one day pass along to others.

Sometimes we never get to see how far our kindness travels.

This time, I got a front-row seat.

That's The D-Max Effect.

You never know who you're teaching, who you're inspiring, or how far one connection will reach.