The inspiration behind Calyqen and Meriqen
What happens when a 17-year-old sees a problem and decides to solve it?
On this episode of The Sonny Melendrez Show, Sonny welcomes Nikita Tejwani, a high school senior, entrepreneur, and young innovator using artificial intelligence to help others.
Nikita shares how watching her mother navigate a difficult job search inspired her to create Calyqen, an AI career ally, and how her own scholarship search led to Meriqen, a tool designed to help students find legitimate opportunities and stay ahead of deadlines.
Highlights include:
- Turning everyday frustrations into real solutions
- Building AI tools while still in high school
- The inspiration behind Calyqen and Meriqen
- What Nikita has learned about entrepreneurship and perseverance
- Balancing school, big ideas, and future goals
- Why empathy is at the heart of her work
It’s an uplifting conversation about curiosity, courage, and the power of asking one simple question:
“How can I make this better for someone else?”
Nikita’s sites:
Your Resume for the Right Job: calyqen.com/
Find Scholarships – Finish Stronger: meriqen.com/
Nikita’s Cupcakery: akkiscupcakery.com/
Dear Mr. Melendrez,
Thank you for inviting me onto your show and making our conversation feel so warm and natural. It meant a lot to share how my mom’s job search inspired Calyqen and how my own scholarship search led me to build Meriqen.
I also admire how much you’ve given back to the San Antonio community over the years. Your example reminds me that the impact we make matters as much as what we create. I’m 17 and still learning, and I’m grateful you gave me the chance to share my story with your audience.
I hope our conversation reaches someone who needs help taking their next step, or someone who could help bring a free workshop to their community.
Nikita
Nikita
Nikita!
You should be very proud of all you’ve accomplished and are creating to help those in need of all you offer. It was a pleasure to hear the enthusiasm in your voice, as you shared your vision and mission. I was especially impressed with your family core values, instilled since you were 5 years old.
Nikita, you are an inspiration to my listeners of all ages.
Thank you for the motivating visit!
Sonny.