Today we’d like to introduce you to Franceska Colocado
Hi Franceska, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Franceska Colocado is an accomplished student and community leader, former athlete, volleyball coach, creative strategist, and podcast host. In 2023, she had the opportunity to attend a leadership immersion at Yale University. She was inspired by a keynote speaker that said, “Take action”. She took those words to heart and did just that. At the age of 16 she founded the 501(c) (3) non-profit organization Gear for Greatness, Inc. Through her decorated volleyball career, Franceska witnessed the struggles that athletes went through when it came to having the proper gear or funds to reach their full potential. It reminded her of her father, Kevin Colocado. It is Franceska’s mission to aspire to inspire people to help athletes in need.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being a young aspiring changemaker has opened my eyes to the real world at an earlier age. I have faced individuals that have questioned my capabilities pursuing the positive initiatives I want to implement to help society due to my age. My work demands me to put myself out there on social media and in person and at times, having to navigate negativity from peers. Acquiring the confidence to fully pursue my passion has been a journey. Through the encouragement from loved ones and supporters, it has enabled me to keep on catalyzing positive change through my work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Gear For Greatness Inc.?
Franceska Colocado is the Founder & CEO of Gear for Greatness Inc ™ a 501( c ) 3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping athletes reach their full potential through helping provide specific gear or funding. She began the organization back in September of 2023. Her father struggled financially when he was a student athlete. This hindered him from purchasing needed gear to play basketball at his optimum. In return, Franceska’s father worked hard to provide her everything she needed to reach her full potential in volleyball. Our founder saw that this was a continuing issue throughout the athletic community. The goal for ‘gear for greatness’ is to bridge that gap and propose a solution that wasn’t accessible to her father. Gear for Greatness, Inc. is dedicated to helping every athlete have the proper gear and support they need to perform at their full potential.
As we approach our first year anniversary, we have been able to help over 200+ athletes through providing them with gear or funding.
At Gear for Greatness Inc ™ we are proud to have the ‘Aspirant Program’. It is a program where an athlete in need can apply or a coach/ individual can nominate a player to receive gear or financial support for their respective sport. It is as easy as going to our website www.gearforgreatness.org. We also accept donations of gently used and brand new sports gear to be redistributed to sports teams and athletes that are in need.
How do you think about luck?
I am a believer in hard work. I believe that the energy I put out in this world is what I receive back. For me, I don’t leave it to luck (good or bad). I make sure that I put in the hours, the research and the dedication to provide the best version of myself, whether it is with my non-profit Gear for Greatness, Inc, co-hosting on the podcast ‘Perspectives Unleashed’ (conversations across generations), coaching volleyball or studying.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gearforgreatness.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gearforgreatness?igsh=MWx6dXlwbjd5ejNweA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095532332924&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@perspectivesunleashedpodcast
Image Credits
Charito Colocado
