20 Under 40 | MICHAEL ODUPITAN
Photo by JOHN BURNS
In 2019, Michael Odupitan founded Omni Circle, a Topeka-based collaborative workspace provider for the personal and professional development of members, dedicated to creating a community that achieves success while building environmental sustainability. Prior to founding Omni Circle, Michael served as consumer affairs with Hills Pet Nutrition, and program implementation manager, while also working as an intervention specialist at Youth Villages.
Michael is a community partner with Shawnee County Parks and Rec where his company hosts programs at the Central Park Community Center such as Move Fitness Bootcamp, YMDG Youth Mentoring, Zumba, and Rev Wellness. He also partners with Habitat for Humanity by providing equipment for community cleanups in the Central Park community.
Michael is a member of the Momentum 2027 Steering Committee and a board member for the Downtown Rotary Club.
What advice do you wish someone had told you early in your career?
That you are going to run into obstacles that you cannot prepare for. The key is to always be willing to learn new skills and know that it is part of the process. Don't beat yourself up if you drop a ball. Forget about the last play and get back in the game.
What is the biggest professional goal you have accomplished?
We have achieved some really significant accomplishments. We purchased a 15,000-square-foot facility. We were approved for a $360,000 grant from the Kauffman Foundation. We secured funding to completely remodel the facility. With that, we are changing the lives of members in our organization. We have created a number of programs that support our initiative and we did all of that in just three years, while starting the organization right before Covid-19.
How has your career evolved?
What I am doing now has changed my perspective on how I see opportunities. I have also learned that the number one investment that you can make is in yourself. I believe that self-investment has improved my leadership capacity and my ability to make tough decisions.
What has been an "Aha!" moment?
That if I change my mind, I can literally change my life.
What characteristic do you most admire in others?
I really admire those who have been able to find their flow. Those who are able to find a good place between life and work.
Click here to go to the full list of 2022 20 Under 40 Honorees.
