In a city 30 miles southeast of Chicago, famous for the birth of Michael Jackson and infamously known as a challenged economic urban city of the United States; Gary, Indiana’s children are being exposed to creating and capitalizing on amazing opportunities.

Facing an impoverished inner city with modest economic growth, a 19 year old entrepreneur is dedicated to empowering the youth and inspiring the discouraged in Northwest Indiana and similar communities across the United States.

In the year 2000, at ten years old, Brandon L. Griffin started his first business, BLG Publishing (formerly Griffin Household Press). Brandon started his second business venture, Quality Web Solutions, at the age of twelve, in 2002. For five years Quality Web Solutions successfully provided web development services, and in 2007 Brandon merged the business into BLG Publishing.

By 2004, Brandon spoke nationally to youth; motivating them to think of entrepreneurship as a way to successfully use their interests, skills, and knowledge. During a national conference for young entrepreneurs, Brandon announced the launch of www.FyeBye.com, a website for youth who were interested in business. Through FyeBye (For Young Entrepreneurs…By Young Entrepreneurs) Brandon’s mission was to share the knowledge he gained when trying to start a business at a young age with other youth.

In 2006, after two years of planning and preparation the publication launched the first national business publication with content written by youth. With its One Year Anniversary Issue, in 2007 , FyeBye reached an estimated 60,000 students.

In 2007, Brandon founded the Brandon L. Griffin Foundation – A Fund of Tides Foundation, a charitable fund which promotes youth entrepreneurship. One program of the Foundation is Entrepreneurship In Schools Initiative, which promotes entrepreneurship in the classroom.

Brandon works closely with organizations such as the Barden Gary Foundation, Society of Innovators, and the McKelvey Foundation to motivate youth to take advantage of the scholarship and general opportunities provided locally and nationally.

Brandon has been featured in the following magazines such as Black Enterprise, BusINess Magazine, & Indiana Business Magazine. He has contributed to books such as Campus CEO by Randall Pinkett, & Make $1,000 in 35 Days, for Young Entrepreneurs by Kandias Conda.