You Want Things, You Have to Build Them | Jay Shah’s Advice for Youth

Ideas are everywhere. Builders are rare.

In this episode, entrepreneur, investor and dad, Jay Shah explains why young people should stop waiting and start building.

While Jay co-founded a company that was later acquired by Google, this conversation isn’t about getting rich or being famous. It’s about having a builder mindset starting in your youth.

Jay talks about growing up around entrepreneurship, why building is a muscle anyone can train, and why young people today have the best moment in their lives to take risks and try things. He also shares what people misunderstand about success, why learning matters more than your resume, and how curiosity and action can shape your future.

You’ll also hear about his newest project, Poppy, a device designed to give kids safe access to technology while encouraging curiosity, questions, and real-world thinking.

This episode is packed with advice for students, parents, and anyone who wants to stop waiting and start building.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why ideas are easy but action is rare
• The truth about startups and success
• Why young people should take risks early
• Learning vs resume building
• How parents can raise curious kids
• Why Canada needs more builders

Thy This Challenge 🎯

Jay gave you TWO challenges this week. Pick one and try it!

Challenge 1: Build something with AI

Think of a small idea for an app, website, or tool. Use AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or other builders to create it even if you don’t know how to code.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to exist. The goal is to practice the builder muscle.

Challenge 2: Fix something in your community

Look around your school, your neighborhood, or your city. Is there something that bothers you? (ie. Something broken? Something that could be better?)

Then find out:

• Who is responsible
• Why it works that way
• What you could suggest to improve it

Builders don’t just notice problems.

They do something about them.

Links

Poppy: https://talkpoppy.com/

Jay’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaykshah/

Buffer Box: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BufferBox

Google Acquires Buffer Box: https://financialpost.com/technology/google-snaps-up-waterloo-startup-bufferbox

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcast

Instagram: @thegennextpodcast

GenNext LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcast