Our Mission
To help young people live purposefully by setting them on a lifelong path of self-discovery and awareness, building their confidence to be who they are, and equipping them with habits and a network to achieve success on their own terms. They will be ready to navigate the world not only as it is today, but how it will be tomorrow.
We will get there with guides who care, teaching teens who care, supported by parents who care, within a community that cares.
Success Habits: Foundation For Lifelong Growth
As a parent, you want to give your child every opportunity to succeed, but school alone doesn’t always provide the real-world skills they need. It can be frustrating and worrisome to watch them excel academically but struggle with managing responsibilities and preparing for the demands of the real world. Between social media, online games, and endless digital stimulation, it’s becoming harder for kids to manage their time, pursue meaningful goals, and communicate confidently in real-life interactions.
Drawing from our experience coaching Fortune 100 professionals and grounded in educational best practices, we know which habits foster success and how to develop them in others. Below are timeless core habits we’ll help your child cultivate.
Takes Ownership
Take full responsibility for for one's own life and decisions, building independence.
Acts Purposefully
Understands and prioritizes the important. Manages time and energy well.
Makes Things Happen
Takes initiative, accomplishes goals, and figures things out.
Stays Resilient
Sees failure as learning and bounces back quickly from setbacks.
Connects with Others
Shows emotional intelligence and empathy. Builds meaningful relationships with others.
Communicates Effectively
Listens actively and speaks in a clear, concise, and compelling way.
Learns Skillfully
Is coachable, curious, and a self-directed learner. Shows strong self-awareness.
Shows Integrity
Keeps commitments and is trustworthy. Demonstrates strong character.
Thinks Critically
Analyzes information, solves problems, and makes thoughtful decisions based on reasoning.
Origin of Vana Lab Name
Vana means “habit” in Swedish and we believe great outcomes are the by-product of a consistent practice of positive success habits. Lab nods to the experiment-like nature of self-discovery and the importance of using what we learn about ourselves to make future decisions.
Taken together, Vana Lab helps our youth learn how to learn about themselves and equip them with the right habits and relationships to bring forth their potential.
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life…Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And, most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.”
