the story of pontem

our story

Founded in 2015 and reimagined in 2023, Pontem is striving to move IVward; inspiring today’s youth to become tomorrow’s financial leaders. Pontem was founded in 2015 as Royal Eagle with a focus of greeting cards. After input from our team of advisors, Royal Eagle rebranded with a name reflective of our new vision. Coming from the Latin word for bridge, Pontem was created in 2017. With the growing number of requests, Pontem expanded to offer graphic design services ranging from custom greeting cards to brand-centered websites. During the COVID lockdown, we started to conduct research and independent learning to expand our business. Via that campaign, the new Pontem is present today: teaching and advising new investors and entrepreneurs; with a concentration on teens and students. Our vision includes a world where financial acumen is freely available and Pontem serves as an entrepreneurial incubator inspiring today’s youth to become tomorrow’s financial leaders

Pontem is aiming to inspire today’s youth to become tomorrow’s financial leaders.

Founder

John W. Daniels IV, a sophomore President’s Magis Scholar and JSN Ignatian Global Scholar at Marquette University High School, embodies the ethos of cura personalis, caring for the whole person. His passion for education, entrepreneurship, and community service has positioned him as a standout leader. As founder and principal of Pontem, a resource hub for aspiring young investors and entrepreneurs, John is dedicated to bridging the gap in financial literacy and empowering his peers to make informed decisions for their financial futures.

Marquette's emphasis on cura personalis has played a pivotal role in shaping John's character and leadership qualities. As Vice President of Milwaukee's Jack and Jill of America chapter, he collaborates with fellow young leaders of JJMKE and community partners to address issues impacting youth empowerment and education. Simultaneously, John's part time work as an Admin Assistant for Alive Inc. Milwaukee showcases his commitment to making a tangible difference in his community.

John's passion for travel has taken him to St. Barth, St. Lucia, St Martin, Nairobi, London, Paris, Beijing, Monte-Carlo, Doha, and more. John has worked with religious organizations and local communities in some of these destinations to give back to youth education. These experiences have fueled his desire to contribute to global economic development and support underserved communities. John's journey reflects the power of cura personalis, nurturing empathy, leadership, and active involvement, as he continues to create positive change on both local and international levels.

2015-2018

2018-2022

moving finance inward

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moving finance inward 〰️

2023 and IVward