What do Napoleon Dynamite and Apple Inc. have in common???

Did you ever think you'd see Napoleon Dynamite and Apple Inc. mentioned in the same breath? Well, hold onto your tots because I'm about to take you on a wild ride through an inspiring journey where innovation and community meet rural America.

Picture this: it's 2018, and a bunch of forward-thinkers at Innovation Collective decided to shake things up in workforce training and rural America. Partnering with a Land Grant University, they concocted a plan to bring inspiring events and future-of-work training to every nook and cranny of a whole state, using cooperative extension offices as their launchpad. Their mission? To inspire folks to grab the future by the horns and ride it like a llama who's on pace to break the FarmVille 500 track record. Goals were set, skills were learned, and communities rallied together like never before.

But wait, here's where it gets even crazier. Enter Apple Inc., stage left. Yep, you heard that right. The tech giant teamed up with these visionaries to turn their dreams into reality faster than you can say, "Vote for Pedro." With a generous grant from Eric Schmidt's foundation, laptops were flung across the state like confetti at a high school talent show. And let's not forget the 3-day, 20-city tour that kicked things off—it was less of an educational seminar and more of a rock concert featuring experts from Apple Inc. and entrepreneurs who came together to mentor, inspire, and laugh with locals who decided to build their dreams. Think music, videos, inspiring talks, and more excitement than a story from Uncle Rico.

Now, here's the kicker: the tour culminated in a fireside chat in the Lincoln room of a predominantly Republican state capital building. And who was the guest of honor? None other than the Chief Technology Officer of the United States under the Obama Administration, dropping knowledge bombs like it was nobody's business. Talk about breaking down barriers—imagine a Democrat speaking in the Lincoln room of a Republican state. Why? Because when it comes to building a better future, politics take a backseat to progress, my friends.

But the real magic happened after the tour wrapped up. Over 1,000 eager Idahoans, and some Oregonians who jumped over the border on a weekly basis, signed up to learn coding, forming teams that spanned the entire state like a technological spiderweb. With local hosts and coding gurus by their side, they dove headfirst into the world of innovation and technology, turning their dreams into pixels and code that danced across screens like a digital ballet. On top of the technical knowledge they absorbed to see their dreams become tangible, they also participated in personal growth curriculums and weekend leadership trainings. It was a full-on human capital activation party that helped people move toward a future they believed in with newfound local friends. And when graduation day rolled around, they didn't just walk away with a piece of paper—they strutted out with apps for the App Store, each one a testament to their ingenuity, drive, and creativity.

And where did all this magic happen, you ask? Across the great state of Idaho! And buckle up because I'm about to show you how Napoleon and Apple Inc. come together… Preston, Idaho—the birthplace of Napoleon Dynamite himself and the city where it was filmed—was also the host to one of the learning teams and a stop on the 20-city tour.

That's right, folks. From high-rises in downtowns to Native American reservations, and yes, even the library where possibly even Napoleon once roamed the halls, innovation knows no bounds.

So, what else do Napoleon Dynamite and Apple Inc have in common? More than you'd think. They're both champions of innovation, creativity, and thinking outside the box. And in Preston, Idaho, they both found a home where the impossible becomes possible... just like Kip and his Time Machine.

So here's to dreaming big, thinking different, and never underestimating the power of a few nerds with a crazy idea. Because when you combine innovation with a dash of humor and a whole lot of heart, anything is possible—even launching an award-winning education program across a rural state that lands itself at the epicenter of the digital revolution.

Stay curious, stay inspired, and always remember: vote for Pedro. Because the future belongs to those who dare to dream, and those who have the courage to make those dreams a reality.

If you have any questions about Innovation Collective or the other work we do across Aesop Industries please reach out. If you’d like to read more about our program, Inspire Idaho, please head over to the University of Idaho website.