How one veteran’s early struggles with soft skills inspired tech to boost a new generation

Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it.

ST. LOUIS — Gavin Pringle knows firsthand the struggles of navigating school without the right tools, the JAKAPA founder said. 

“I was not a successful high school student,” said Pringle, a U.S. Navy veteran-turned-Missouri entrepreneur. “I graduated from my third high school; I had undiagnosed ADHD. I couldn’t sit still, couldn’t focus on classes.” 

But it wasn’t just about focus — Pringle lacked essential soft skills, like teamwork, time management and communication, which made the path even rockier, he said. 

His personal challenges fueled the creation of JAKAPA, a platform designed to equip students with the same critical soft skills with which he struggled.

“This is a product I wish I would have had when I was 16,” Pringle said.

Seventy-three percent of employers struggle to find recent graduates with adequate soft skills, like time management, stress regulation and leadership, according to JAKAPA. Pringle’s platform addresses that challenge by helping students and recent grads stand out in college and job applications through a comprehensive assessment tool that develops 32 essential soft skills.

By creating JAKAPA, Pringle aims to not only empower students but also support their emotional and social development — boosting them in both academics and their future careers, he said. 

“If we can set up the next generation for success, we’re setting ourselves up for success,” Pringle added.

How JAKAPA works for students

JAKAPA’s approach to skill development is built on the premise that soft skills can be taught and cultivated, the founder said.

“We treat these skills as foundational skills,” Pringle explained. “Skills take practice, reflection and feedback to develop.”

The platform is designed to offer personalized learning experiences, allowing students to identify areas for improvement and track their progress over time.

Each week, students engage in practical weekly challenges aimed at applying soft skills in real-life situations.

“They’re built to encourage students to go do something in their real life, report back and reflect,” he said.

This hands-on approach fosters not only personal growth but also prepares students for the workforce, where 93 percent of manufacturers prefer candidates who possess strong soft skills, according to the site.

VetBiz experience

Pringle’s involvement with VetBiz — a St. Louis-based organization to support veterans and military families in building successful small businesses that impact communities and ignite economic growth — has also shaped his perspective, he said, noting it had a profound impact on his approach to both business and education. 

“VetBiz taught me resilience and adaptability,” he said. “Working with veterans showed me the importance of teamwork and communication, which I now prioritize at JAKAPA.”

Damon Chaffin, senior business consultant at VetBiz, explained how the organization supports veterans-turned-entrepreneurs like Pringle. 

“We provide training on entrepreneurship and various business topics,” Chaffin said. “Our focus is on helping veterans build successful, profitable businesses.”

VetBiz goes beyond business plans and offers ongoing support for growing the ventures. Chaffin recalled working with Pringle since late 2022 and how he helped him refine his business strategy. 

“We focus on what’s working, using key performance indicators to guide decisions,” Chaffin said. “It’s about targeted marketing and accountability.”

He also advised that veterans must find their competitive advantage.

“You have to be the best at something, not just offer the lowest price,” Chaffin said. 

VetBiz helps entrepreneurs create strategies for long-term success, boosting their odds significantly, he added.

Gavin Pringle, JAKAPA, pitches his startup at a competition in Tennessee; photo courtesy of The Company Lab (CO.LAB)

Professional development: beyond student learning

JAKAPA doesn’t just focus on student development; it also emphasizes professional development for educators and institutions and recognizes that many teachers lack training in soft skills. 

“One of the most frequently cited reasons for the lack of soft skill education in traditional education is a lack of knowledge,” Pringle said. 

By providing educators with the necessary tools and resources, JAKAPA aims to create a holistic approach to soft skills training. 

“When teachers score highly in these soft skills, their students perform much better,” he said.

To support educational institutions further, JAKAPA has launched a micro grant program, providing school districts with licenses, training, implementation coaching and support to help develop essential skills. 

Foundation for a brighter future

Pringle plans for a continued focus on both direct-to-consumer strategies and partnerships with educational organizations when it comes to JAKAPA’s target market, he said, with possible expansion into colleges and universities.

That growth potential in the direct-to-consumer market is significant, Pringle said, especially as more families turn to homeschooling and seek supplementary educational resources. 

“When you think of the 3.7 million kids that are currently being homeschooled, they grew up to 53 percent just last year,” he said. “There’s a lot of potential users that can get a lot of real benefit from this.”

Pringle’s purpose for JAKAPA is broad, he said, seeing the assessment tool creating a long-term growth mindset in younger generations that will propel them forward in their careers. 

“If we can set goals, stay organized and work in teams, we’re laying the foundation for a brighter future,” he said.