Honor Society® member
Ozro Hepworth
President at International Natural Healers Association
- Santa Monica College
- business administration with an emphasis in entrepreneurship
- Class of 2017
- Los Angeles, California
Member since March 2016
About
After graduating high school in 2000, I spent a year training as a massage therapist, and many more years traveling the world aboard some of the largest cruise ships in the world. In 2007, it was time for me to set aside my sea legs and lay down some roots in Los Angeles, CA.
Needless to say, I'm what is referred to as a non-traditional student. In 2012, I came to the realization that if I wanted to grow professionally, I would have to go back to school and become the first in my family to get a university degree. This wasn't an easy decision. At the time, I was running a successful massage therapy and yoga teaching practice. This meant that I was only able to take one or two classes a semester.
It wasn't until I got back from a month long trip in Japan that I decided to committ to attending college full-time. This meant I had to cut back on seeing massage clients and eventually retiring from bodywork and yoga completely. Why did I do this?
During my 15 years as a massage therapist and yoga teacher I found it frustrating that I was only able to help one person at a time. It's simply not scalable. As I began to attend business and marketing training to grow my own practice, I found myself being drawn to the idea of being an entrepreneur and a business consultant. This eventually led me to my current path.
I intent on getting my Bachelors in Business and becoming one of my generations most influential social entrepreneurs.
Education
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Santa Monica College
Business Administration
2015 – 2017
Honors and awards
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Pilot Club: Jordan-King Scholarship
$500 dollar scholarship awarded for progress toward educational goals and achievement. The requirements to qualify were: a 2.5 GPA and be a continuing student. Awarded to Assist Disabled Student.
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The Osher Scholars Endowment Fund Scholarship
$1500 dollar scholarship awarded for being enrolled towards a degree; must have completed 24 units of degree-applicable study prior to disbursement; must maintain 6 units, and 2.5 GPA.
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Dean's List
Spring 2016
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Millenium Momentum Foundation and Leadership Development Institute
I was nominated and chosen to be one of the first community college students to participate in this unique leadership development program.
Goals and interests
- Career goal
While I'm pursuing my bachelor's degree and eventually my master's degree, I intend to learn all I can about the current social needs of college students. From there, I plan to create products and services geared towards helping them succeed while there attending school, and even more so, once they graduate.
In other words, I intend on conceiving, developing and deploying different business opportunities while I'm surrounded by individuals who are going to be the professionals of the future.
- Graduate school interests
Once I get my AS in Business from Santa Monica College, I plan to transfer to the University of Southern California (USC). After earning my Bachelors in Business. I will apply to their Master's program to get my MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business.
The alternative school I have in mind is, the Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management. They offer a joint BSM and MBA (MBAJ). The MBAJ program allows BSM graduates the opportunity to leverage the knowledge gained through their undergraduate curriculum toward the completion of the MBA at an accelerated pace.
- Outside the classroom
I enjoy going hiking around Southern California, biking along the beaches of the Los Angeles area, watching movies with friends, and learning about new social and business trends.
My most recent interest has been Snapchat. This social media platform is the fastest growing platform in the US and is only second to Facebook. This is interesting to me because it has many social, community and business implications.
Experience
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President
International Natural Healers Association
Sep 2014 – Apr 2016
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Yoga Teacher
Hot 8 Yoga and Private Practice
May 2010 – Mar 2013
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Massage Therapist
Willow Spa, Altus Sports Institute, and Private Practice
Aug 2007 – Jun 2016
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Spa Manager
Steiner Leisure Limited
Oct 2006 – Mar 2007
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Massage Therapist
Steiner Leisure Limited
Jul 2003 – Oct 2006
Volunteering
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Yoga and Meditation Teacher
Ananda Los Angeles
May 2008 – Dec 2015
Languages
- English (US) Advanced
- Japanese Beginner
Additional information
Organizations
