“Small Acts, Big Impacts”

As a young entrepreneur and philanthropist, I witnessed the devastating effects of poverty and hunger firsthand. I knew I had to act, and so HFA Foundation was born. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to uplift the deprived, heal the suffering, and make the world a better place.

“Restoring Hope to the Suffering Lives”

We began by providing food and charities to those in need, focusing on the greater Asia region and the United States. We soon realized that poverty and hunger are the catalysts for many societal evils, and our empathy-driven approach was the key to making a real difference.

“The Ripple Effect of Kindness: Expanding Our Reach”

Since our inception, we’ve been working tirelessly to feed as many starving people as possible, expanding our charitable activities across the USA and beyond. Our team has grown to become a trusted helpmate to those in need, and our altruistic mindset has enabled us to help those in destitution.

“The Power of Empathy”

We believe that even the smallest act of kindness can create a ripple effect of change. By putting empathy into action, we’re transforming lives and creating opportunities for all.

“Join the Movement, Be the Change”

We invite you to join us on this journey of kindness. Together, we can make a difference and create a world that is more just, equitable, and compassionate.

Societal pressure.

Seriously, though. I’m nervous AF.

Most would look at what I’ve accomplished so far and reason that I don’t need to go. I’m overwhelmed by the challenges inherent in the process, the competition, or some college admissions person being like, “So what if he has millions of dollars?”

In my book “Misfit Mogul,” I discuss why having a traditional education is not the key to a rich future, but I have to admit to something: I want more than that. So…

The Bigger Picture
I want to do bigger and better sh*t. I’ve had practical experience in business and law, but I want to know more. I think so much of my napkin ideas that led to innovative thinking and creativity represent a restlessness inside me.

You might relate to the feeling, and I guess you’re also stressing over college applications and next steps. High school sucked, and we’re all thinking, “Why should I go through this again?” For me, the answer is that I can’t rest on my laurels, and what has happened so far feels like the beginning.

Rite of Passage
When I talk about the “old school”— a system of primary education that doesn’t feed our unique talents but instead gives us a baseline — this doesn’t necessarily apply to college.

Finally, I get to choose what the hell I want to do and be truly engaged in the subject. My resume will be sick, but again, this means nothing for anyone applying for a job at Google or Facebook (refer to the next blog). Guys, I’m passionate about this next step. It means something. A gateway to success on a different level. Just as important…

The Social Network
I’d be lying if I said that applying to college is propelled by, first of all, enthusiasm, secondly, my dad’s ultimatum, and thirdly, a way to meet people and get out of my damn house. I love my family, but Bro, it’s time to goooooo.

Yes, I want to meet hot girls but also like-minded people who might one day become part of my business or I become a part of theirs. In my home state of Texas, there are a lot of interesting people, but I think about all the bad @ss kids I could meet at Harvard, Yale, Stanford—wherever.

Even though I have crippling social anxiety and no idea how I’ll make friends, I believe this is a huge hurdle in my transition to greater success.

Self-Torture
Let’s be real: I’m going to have more headaches, nosebleeds, and stress, but if there’s something I’ve learned in the past 17 years, it’s that anything worth doing is gonna hurt like hell.

This is why I don’t go to the gym… I know it will suck at times, and I’ll call my mom on the phone in tears (sorta kidding), but being a young misfit mogul isn’t worth anything if you don’t get out there and learn to be an adult. Guys, I’m crying already. But here’s the thing: I think back to the bigger picture: an advanced education in what I want to pursue. My experience with STEM opened my eyes to a lot of things and occupied my crazy brain. So,… time for the next step.

Chasing a Dream So damn corny but true. I became a misfit mogul by following a torrent of thoughts and ideas that I couldn’t shut up. I started young and have reaped the benefits. I don’t plan ever to join the workforce (although there is nothing wrong with that). I know that higher education is a part of my vision for the future of my businesses, charitable organizations, and career goals. So, the process is stressing me out, but everything will always stress me out. The misfit mogul still feels like an invisible kid, and I’m turning that kid into an adult… slowly. And with a diploma, that means something.

In his DiscoverSTEM Academy in Plano, students are encouraged to follow a five-step program of “think, analyze, ideate, create and innovate” patentable solutions to real-world problems. Mentoring young inventors to patent their innovations is the primary goal of India-born Faizan, who came to the United States in 2013 and was later awarded a coveted “Einstein” visa, for those acclaimed in their fields, with NASA and Pentagon backing

Last year, Faizan resigned as head of engineering services (USA & Canada) at Capgemini, a multibillion-dollar, multinational, France-based company, to focus full-time on developing the academy, which he started four years ago. It has produced almost 200 young inventors ages 10 to 18.

The decision to focus on youth came from his frustrations as a judge evaluating students’ submissions to prestigious competitions such as the annual R&D 100 Awards (the equivalent of the Oscars) and the Conrad Challenge held at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida each year.

“Many times, I could see the young kids had some very bright and promising ideas at these competitions, but they didn’t know how to proceed with their idea, to convert it into an innovation or invention,” Faizan says. “So, they drop the idea.”

This conviction was reinforced last February when he spoke at an event in Frisco ISD where he asked around 400 students and parents if they had ever thought of inventing something. Practically everyone’s hands went up, Faizan says. But when asked if they knew how to invent? “Almost all the hands went down.”

Launchpad for success

Faizan’s mission to reverse the status quo has garnered him a local reputation as the “space whisperer,” and 25 of his students have won NASA innovation competitions. More than 50 students have patents pending after winning international competitions. Some of his alumni have gone on to Harvard, Stanford, Duke and MIT, with cumulative scholarships totaling $3.5 million.

“The program brings to life the true scientific process,” says Hasan, whose love of astronomy was inspired by meeting Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, as a child. “DiscoverSTEM encourages students to make their own discoveries. By working together in groups, they feed off each other’s energies as each has his or her own ‘Eureka’ moment. … I will add that I was particularly impressed at the number of young girls in the DiscoverSTEM program.”

Engineer Nusrat Husain Khan of Irving enrolled his daughter Marium in the mentorship program when she was 18 and says it played a central role in her academic success. She received a full-ride scholarship worth over $300,000 to study biology at Duke University. Now 22, the younger Khan says finishing first in her team’s category at the international Conrad Challenge awards in 2016 certainly boosted her application.

The cost for the five levels of programs at DiscoverSTEM ranges from $1,000 to $5,000, and Faizan is committed to increasing access with scholarships for low-income students and former or active-duty military. This policy was adopted after an inspiring chance meeting with disabled veteran Jeanette Goodrich at the Dallas STEM Expo last January.

The ex-Air Force officer says this was a lifeline for her and her 13-year-old daughter, Kayla. “I was going through a difficult time, and my disability was my primary source of income. But Mr. Faizan just met us and was so impressed with Kayla and so respectful of my service he actually said, ‘Your daughter is everyone’s daughter.’ I was just blown away by that.”

Kayla, a student at DeWitt Perry Middle School in Carrollton, is keeping mum about her innovation while her patent is being processed. She appreciates the DiscoverSTEM method. “In school we just memorize things, but here they really make us understand concepts and promote creative thinking, and we learn to work together as a team. These are life experiences you can’t get anywhere else.”

A valuable skill
Faizan says the central focus of DiscoverSTEM is to resurrect logical thinking, a skill he believes is dwindling due to instant-gratification technology that provides answers at the touch of a button.

“I remember when I was a middle school kid, growing up in India, I used to live next to an airport,” he recalls. “This was India in the ’90s, with no internet access. Every time I see a plane take off and land, I used to sit and think for hours as to how does a plane fly? Today, if a child is struck with the same curiosity, she won’t even think for a second about this problem. What will they do? Ask Google or watch YouTube.”