When Soulr began, South Whidbey native Tyler Norris saw it as a “vehicle of change” for connecting a disconnected generation to its surroundings. Soon, the country will find out whether investors feel the same.

Norris, a 2011 graduate of South Whidbey High School, will be featured on TV channel Oxygen’s upcoming show, “Quit Your Day Job.” While the series starts March 30 at 10 p.m., Norris will take to the screen for the first time in the third episode, airing April 13. The docu-series revolves around aspiring millennial entrepreneurs competing to gain interest from prospective investors.

Norris is the founder and CEO of Soulr, a solar-powered mobile food cart fundraising program based out of San Diego, Calif. He was cast after a series of interviews with producers in March 2015, having learned about the show from a flyer he saw in class. The show was filmed in May through July of that summer but, due to confidentiality agreements with the network, Norris could not reveal the outcome. He did, however, speak about the difficulties and challenges he faced throughout the production and the lifestyle that comes with his passion.

“I’d say throughout the whole process, it was a constant hustle,” Norris said. “The life of an entrepreneur is hectic, it takes dedication, it takes time management, it takes absolute passion.”

Norris said his business model, which was put to the test against fellow budding entrepreneurs in challenges and scenarios, aims to provide simple yet sustainable fundraising opportunities for college organizations. By placing Soulr carts on college campuses with groups seeking to fundraise, volunteers receive entrepreneurship experience while organizations receive a percentage of profits generated. In doing so, Norris hopes it will create positive social change by engaging students with something that nourishes the mind, body and soul. The cart distributes pre-packaged açaí bowls, which are frozen using solar heating panels, as well as cold juice, coffee and tea. The fundraising program is in effect on campus, while its product is also being sold on the weekends at Belmont Park’s boardwalk on Mission Beach.

Norris said Soulr has partnered with a national juice company as well as a San Diego coffee company, but that’s just the beginning.

“The reality is that we just launched it at the University of San Diego, but if it takes off, we could potentially be at 10 universities, even 100 universities,” Norris said.

The idea came during his junior year at the university when he created a campus mindfulness program “ReVIBE” after seeing a social disparity among the millennial generation due to a rise in technology. In order to pursue the change he sought in the world, he quit his job as a specialist at an Apple store to become an entrepreneur and incorporate his ideals from ReVIBE into a business. He researched and developed the concept for Soulr by speaking with solar-heating experts and watching YouTube videos. He eventually bought a food cart, and with the help of his father John and business partner John Moran, they created Soulr’s official 4-foot by 5-foot cart. His childhood friend and fellow South Whidbey High School alumni Zeke Spalding also played a vital role in helping bring the venture to life.

Just before filming began, Norris’ mother Heidi and sisters Allison and Liz flew down to the set for support. They also helped Norris brainstorm after he was presented a challenge that was required to be completed in 72 hours. Heidi Norris said she was impressed by her son’s personality on camera.

“He went in there with the whole charismatic, ‘Why can’t I’ attitude,” Heidi Norris said. “That’s Tyler. I couldn’t believe what he was able to say and do.”

For sister Allison Black, it was a reaffirmation of what she already knew about her younger brother.

“In some ways it doesn’t surprise me because that’s who he has always been — he goes big in whatever he’s going for,” Black said. “He’s so determined and so different from a lot of his peers.”

Norris was aware of the pressure that comes with screen time. Knowing every twitch on screen would be analyzed by investors and viewers, he consciously reminded himself to ooze confidence and have a clear mind.

Beyond what the show will do for Soulr’s resume, Norris said it’s highlighted his passion for his craft as well as his humble beginnings on Whidbey Island. His parents are both self-employed entrepreneurs. Their individual pursuits helped foster a sense of creativity in his life.

“Being from a small town like Whidbey Island, I think that’s one of the reasons he is like he is,” John Norris said. “I’m psyched, stoked he did it.”