Young Social Impact Heroes: Why and How Maggie Grout of Thinking Huts Is Helping To Change Our World
An Interview With Penny Bauder
Stop doubting yourself. My dad often tells me this because it is so easy to forget how far you have come. You are your own harshest critic, take a moment to reflect upon your rare abilities that shape you into the leader you need to be.
As part of my series about young people who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Maggie Grout.
Maggie Grout is the founder and CEO of Thinking Huts, a nonprofit on a mission to increase global access to education by leveraging innovative, humanitarian-driven technology solutions in partnership with communities where schools are needed. She is a graduate of CU Boulder, Leeds School of Business.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit how you grew up?
I was adopted from a village in southern China and for a large part of my life I grew up in America. I often reflect on where I come from, and my roots have greatly shaped my outlook in trying to live a life that serves others.
You are currently leading an organization that aims to make a social impact. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change in our world today?
Thinking Huts seeks to increase access to education by addressing the need for infrastructure by combining cutting edge 3D printing technology in a synergistic way to build schools in a fraction of the time. We partner with established organizations to ensure a holistic solution that is human and community centric. We often do not realize that many students in developing countries do not have access to education because schools are too far away to walk to, or they are extremely overcrowded which hinders learning ability.
Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?
I have been passionate about education from the very beginning and knew this was the path meant for me. I think this is largely due to understanding the stark contrast between poverty and opportunity. I want to live in a world that lifts one another up rather than widening the divide.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest it. They don’t get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?
I remember sitting in my dad’s office one day when I was a sophomore in high school, and I asked him “what if we 3D printed schools?” That day was the catalyst and from there he helped me apply for our 501c3 charity status as I began researching and embarking on a 7 year journey to building our first 3D printed school.
Many young people don’t know the steps to take to start a new organization. But you did. What are some of the things or steps you took to get your project started?
I started asking for advice and reaching out to people I admired to shape my journey forward. Specific to my project, I knew where we had to go but needed people to help me get there. I reached out to potential technology partners, architects who may design my vision pro bono, and grassroots organizations in countries such as Indonesia, Tanzania, Madagascar, who were already building schools to assess their educational needs and to ascertain if my solution would be accepted by the community as an alternative to traditional construction methods.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
I was about to leave a building and an elderly woman grabbed my arm to tell me she had recognized me from an article in the newspaper about Thinking Huts. It was very surreal to see the potential we possess to impact not only lives throughout the African continent, but also people who had previously not believed that they too can make a difference.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson or take away you learned from that?
I remember trying to schedule a Skype video meeting with someone in South Africa (long before Zoom was popular) and I forgot to mention the time zone I was in. His assistant scheduled the call for 2:30am my time which was humorously far from ideal.
The biggest takeaway is to stay on top of your time zones and prioritize clear communication.
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
Yes, I would not have been able to stay resilient without the encouragement and support of mentors along the way. My dad has been my greatest cheerleader and my parents’ support of my vision means an immense amount. I am very grateful for my mentor Mike who adds new perspectives that combat the echo chamber and reminds me to always keep learning.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
I was recently sent a message by an incredible young woman named Moesha who said: “if you think even the smallest things can’t make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” It gives me renewed determination to know that the work I seek to continue in my lifetime inspires people who see themselves represented in leadership.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Listen to the voices and people who are doing the work on the ground. The people closest to the issue at hand are the ones you should be meeting with to inform policies that impact the community and society as a whole.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1. Stop doubting yourself. My dad often tells me this because it is so easy to forget how far you have come. You are your own harshest critic, take a moment to reflect upon your rare abilities that shape you into the leader you need to be.
2. It’s okay to ask for help. A good friend told me this when I was feeling overwhelmed. I think we often try to push through things by ourselves, but he reminded me that life is not meant to be spent in a cocoon.
3. The failures are necessary. We must allow ourselves to take risks and learn from the past, it is the only way we will grow.
4. Success does not happen overnight. I often joke around about the saying “10 year overnight success.” Success is not the glossy magazine covers; it is years of hard work without any recognition before the world may understand what you are working on.
5. Stand up for yourself. There will be times when people doubt or try to diminish your ideas, respectfully push back, and do not let others intimidate you — age and gender are irrelevant.
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
Believe in yourself and keep going. Your work matters and what you do is so important as we seek to build a brighter future for generations to come.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I would love to meet Malala for brunch, I hold so much admiration for her and the work she champions to ensure every girl has access to education.
How can our readers follow you online?
You can learn more about our story at https://thinkinghuts.org/
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Young Social Impact Heroes: Why and How Maggie Grout of Thinking Huts Is Helping To Change Our… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.