It's no secret that Kendall Wernet (1994-2014) left a legacy. A passionate entrepreneur, chivalrous man of faith and ambitious dreamer, Kendall left a mark filled with unique kindness and rare determination. 

At the age of 18, Kendall began college at Clemson University and started his own painting business with Young Entrepreneurs Across America (YEAA). After his first year, he oversaw a $78,000 business, and by age 20 oversaw businesses that generated over $500,000. During his time at Clemson, he coached and mentored other college students to successfully run their own businesses. Alongside his two friends, Hunter Freeman and Alex Dalpiaz, he co-founded The Driven Vision, a movement that inspires 20-somethings to live to the fullest both personally and professionally. He also co-authored Mastering A Career Fair: A Simple and Direct Guide For Landing Your First Job Out of College, which released in 2015. 

In Kendall's personal writings, he proclaims his life's mission statement as: “to lift up and encourage those around me and to develop them as I develop myself. I will capture greatness and succeed through passion in order to please those around me and ultimately achieve a paradise known as heaven.” 

It is our true joy to rally together around this mission and continue Kendall's legacy through the creation of the Kendall Alexander Wernet Community Foundation. A community foundation allows us to specify a variety of recipient causes over time, keeping in step with Kendall's multi-passioned, well-rounded spirit. However, there will be one common thread: each cause will be chosen based on alignment with Kendall's mission, resulting in scholarships and grants to further development and passion across Western North Carolina. With your help, we look forward to "doing good turns daily" in the areas he loved most, including music, education, entrepreneurship, community improvement and helping those in need.