Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Turner.
Hi Chris, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
TriFactor began in 2015 in the basement of a small church in Hiram, GA, where nine students and I gathered with nothing more than a whiteboard, curiosity, and a shared desire to grow. I was asked by my aunt and pastor, Karen Dones, to step in and lead the church’s youth department. What started as a call to serve quickly became a calling to build—though at the time, I didn’t yet have language for what we were creating.
My journey into mentorship was deeply shaped by my greatest mentor, Marion Tyson. Mr. Tyson didn’t just mentor me—he walked with me. One Sunday in particular changed everything: he spent the entire day helping me create the very first version of my resume. That moment wasn’t about a document; it was about belief, patience, and intentional investment. More than that, Mr. Tyson taught me the art of putting myself on paper through a resume. Through his time and dedication, he showed me I was much more than I thought—he showed me, on that day, that I am somebody.
Mr. Tyson often told me, “Never tear down a fence without understanding why it was built in the first place.” That principle taught me to honor process, history, and intention before pushing for change. I carried that lesson forward and built upon it with my own guiding philosophy: “Never build a fence without understanding why you’re building it in the first place.” That commitment to understanding ‘the why’ became the foundation of TriFactor.
As an alumnus of INROADS and a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., I had benefited from programs that helped shape my identity and sharpen my ambition. Those experiences taught me the importance of identifying and understanding my why. But it wasn’t until I began helping others explore their own journeys that TriFactor truly took form—centered on unlocking the three internal factors of Person, Purpose, and Power (TriFactor).
Ten years ago, the ten of us embarked on a journey together—one that helped establish the scalable infrastructure we use today. TriFactor has since evolved into a consulting firm that delivers Life, Business, and Financial Consulting through the power of mentoring. We partner with churches, schools, and social organizations like the Boys & Girls Club to provide both individual and group counseling, leadership development, and career exploration.
Our sessions follow a TriWeekly cadence—every three weeks—and are structured into three mentoring pathways:
* Environment focuses on consistent group and individual mentoring.
* Experience adds specialized one-on-one mentorship and quarterly outings aligned with career and personal interests.
* Opportunity provides dedicated resources to connect students with real-world pathways, including job shadowing, apprenticeships, internships, and employment.
This year marks a new chapter for TriFactor. We’re preparing to launch our inaugural Think Tank, bringing together students, educators, and community leaders to collaboratively shape business solutions and youth business development. We’re also introducing The Nehemiah Project, our personal adaptation of Shark Tank where students pitch business and life solutions to real decision-makers.
The mission of TriFactor is to prepare, perfect, and present contributing citizens to their communities. We pursue this through a progression of exploration, encounter, establishment, enhancement, and empowerment.
Anyone who knows me knows my #1 goal is simple: to make a difference. People are my passion, and if I can change even one life, I feel fulfilled. Through TriFactor, we’re doing just that—changing the world one life at a time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
“The day you get out of your own way will be the day your life changes forever.”
That’s the truth I had to face before anything else could begin. The biggest obstacle I’ve had to overcome wasn’t funding, systems, or access—it was me. I had to truly believe that I could make a difference, that I was worthy of leading something that could change lives. Once I got past the fear of not being enough, everything else began to align.
But that didn’t mean the road was smooth.
After believing in the vision, I had to bring structure to it. TriFactor started as a raw, relational movement—mentorship in its most organic form. But to grow, we needed infrastructure. We had to turn passion into process. That meant developing systems, frameworks, curriculum, and leadership structures that could scale while still keeping our heartbeat intact.
Then came the challenge of sustainability. We had to figure out how to fund the mission without losing its soul. For years, I bootstrapped the operation—pouring in my own time, money, and emotional energy. We didn’t have a large donor base or corporate sponsors in the beginning. Just faith, consistency, and a deep commitment to people.
There were seasons of discouragement—when doors closed, when the weight felt too heavy, or when we weren’t sure how we’d make it to the next session. But each obstacle forced us to refine our model, revisit our why, and build something stronger.
What started in a church basement with nine students now stands as a 10-year journey marked by resilience, innovation, and transformation. And I still carry that same mindset: once you stop standing in your own way, your purpose becomes unstoppable.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
TriFactor is a purpose-driven consulting firm that transforms lives through the power of mentorship. We provide Life, Business, and Financial Consulting services to youth and families—equipping them with identity, skills, and opportunities to thrive.
What makes us different is how we do it. We don’t just mentor—we consult. We use a proprietary model called the TriFactor Complete Framework, which helps individuals discover their Person, live in their Purpose, and walk in their Power. Our mentoring is delivered through structured pathways—Environment, Experience, and Opportunity—to meet students exactly where they are and guide them toward real-world impact together.
We partner with churches, schools, and social organizations to deliver sessions every three weeks (TriWeekly), and we walk alongside each student as they grow. Whether it’s job shadowing, financial literacy, or career exploration, we don’t just provide support—we create pipelines.
What sets TriFactor apart is our ability to combine structure with soul. We’re known for our transformational relationships and scalable systems. What began with nine students in a church basement has become a movement that’s changing how mentorship works in communities across the country.
What we’re most proud of? The way students come back to lead. Alumni like Ariana, Cheyenne, Deshun, Jermaine, and Shae, who started with us in 2015, are now applying to become school counselors and mentoring the next generation. That’s what legacy looks like.
We want readers to know: TriFactor isn’t just a program—it’s a pipeline. And the students we serve today are the leaders, creators, and change agents of tomorrow.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I believe the youth development and education space will undergo a massive shift—from focusing solely on academic achievement to prioritizing identity, purpose, and real-world preparation. We’re already seeing students and parents ask deeper questions like: What do I actually want to do with my life? How do I find purpose? How do I make money doing something that matters?
At the same time, workforce development is changing. Traditional college pathways are no longer the only (or most accessible) option. Industries are valuing skills, certifications, and lived experience more than ever—especially in trades, entrepreneurship, tech, and creative fields. And as AI becomes more integrated into daily life, emotional intelligence, communication, leadership, and critical thinking will become the most sought-after traits.
TriFactor is built for this future. We’re not just teaching skills—we’re helping students discover who they are, build confidence, and walk in their purpose. We’re creating pipelines for shadowing, mentorship, business development, and financial literacy so that young people don’t just graduate—they launch. And we’re partnering with schools, churches, and community leaders to create a new standard for what mentorship and opportunity really mean.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.trifactor.me
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trifactormbw
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TriFactorMBW/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trifactormbw
Image Credits
Aaron Moon of Pics By The Moon
