Hasan Khalil on Failure, Persistence and Finding Your Purpose

Hasan Khalil is a barber, musician, soccer-program founder and entrepreneur whose journey from Iraq and a refugee camp in Syria to building a life and community in Lincoln, Nebraska, has shaped the way he thinks about creativity, persistence and giving back. In this “What If… Innovator Insights” segment, Hasan answers questions from Nebraska high school students about some of the lessons that have shaped his journey. He talks about learning from failure, finding mentors, developing persistence, and following your dreams—even when money isn't the first priority. As a self-taught Yazidi entrepreneur and musician, Hasan has found ways to combine his passions with service to his community, from opening a barbershop and creating music to running a soccer program for underserved youth. His message to young creators is simple: Do what you love, follow your dream, and keep exploring. "Innovator Insights" are short videos with innovators and creators answering questions about things like influences, passions and mistakes. An educational resource providing advice for a next generation of innovators. More about "What If..." a Nebraska Public Media series about innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship in Nebraska: http://nebraskapublicmedia.org/WhatIf #WhatIfNebraska ©2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved. FOLLOW US: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NebraskaPublicMedia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaPublicMedia X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/NebPublicMedia Instagram: https://instagram.com/NebraskaPublicMedia Website: https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org