Delon Hardy
Delon Hardy (he, his, him) - Business Mentor
Detroiter. Musician. Style enthusiast.
As a business mentor at the Academy, Delon helps to guide learners through the business, entrepreneurial & project management side of app development. As a born and raised Detroiter, Delon extremely values the chance to give back and teach his community to become world-class developers. He has a passion for interacting with the learners and helping to push them to the next level. Being able to see the learners grow while walking side by side with them through this journey is one of the most rewarding parts of the Academy experience for him. Delon believes that each learner on this journey is their own personal brand and that every day at the Apple Developer Academy is a new chance for them to increase their brand strength. His hope is that through the work done here, every learner will leave the Academy stronger, wiser, and more inspired than when they joined.
Prior to the academy, Delon was a student at the University of Michigan. He holds several business certifications and is also a graduate of the inaugural class of the Apple Developer Academy Detroit. After graduation, Delon was accepted into the post-academy Renaissance Program as business lead and designer on the Marketing & Recruitment Team. At the same time, he embarked on the journey of mentorship and became a mentor for the academy’s Foundations Program. His combined experience led him directly to his current role as a business mentor here at the Apple Developer Academy.
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What would your fellow mentors say your greatest strengths are?
Empathy, Community Driven, People Person, the ability to be creative and think outside the box.
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If you were to offer students one piece of advice as they start their journey at the Academy, what would it be?
Come in with an open mind and truly lend yourself to the Academy experience. You are here to grow. Push yourself, and remember comfortability doesn’t breed growth.
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Have you always wanted to work in tech? What is your personal history with tech?
I always saw myself doing major work with tech in some way. Growing up, I was always a tech-savvy kid and was really good with electronics. As got older, I found myself in stem programs that eventually led me to major in engineering in college. Although I ended up switching my major to business, I always stayed in close connection to the tech world.
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What was your experience with coding, tech, iOS, or entrepreneurship before the Academy?
Before the academy, I actually had a job selling cell phones and other devices for various carriers. Which entailed working directly with Apple iOS products. In 2013, I started my journey as an entrepreneur launching a clothing line named, The Winner’s Circle Detroit.
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What made you want to be a mentor? What are you most excited about?
Seeing the joy, influence, and dedication of my mentors, as well as, directly experiencing the effects they had on me is what made me want to join the mentor team. I’m most excited to be a part of the learner's journeys and see the new heights they’ll reach in and outside of the academy.
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Where are you from and where do you live now?
I’m from Detroit, and I still reside here in the city that made me who I am today.