Miles Ahead

Some people make an impression right away. Miles Gilliam is one of those people.

Miles is a freshman in college studying business administration with a minor in biology. He’s a first generation student, a Dean’s list scholar, an entrepreneur, and someone with a clear plan for where he wants to go next: dental school. He’s also the founder of MilesOnPluto Grillz, a growing business built around custom grillz, jewelry, watches, and one of a kind pieces designed around each customer’s vision.

That list alone is impressive. But what stands out most about Miles is not how busy he is. It’s how grounded and driven he is while carrying all of it.

A Business That Started Young

Miles traces his entrepreneurial instincts back to childhood.

Around eight years old, he regularly visited a barber shop with a jewelry store next door. The people there noticed his interest and took him under their wing. He helped clean the store, watched how they worked, and paid attention to the details most kids would overlook. Long before he had a company of his own, Miles was learning what business looked like up close.

Years later, he turned that interest into MilesOnPluto Grillz, a business centered on custom pieces that feel personal to the people buying them.

“If you have a vision,” Miles said, ‘I want to bring it to life.”

It’s a strong business philosophy, but it also feels personal. Miles isn’t just motivated by making a quality product, he wants to create opportunities for people to express themselves.

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Meeting David Tann

Miles first met David Tann when David visited his high school, Phillip O. Berry Academy, to speak with students.

Most students would have listened politely and moved on. Miles saw an opportunity.

While David was there, Miles introduced himself and pitched his business. David bought grillz from him that week. But the impression went both ways.

Miles remembers David as engaging, energetic, and someone who knew how to hold a room. He said he learned something about pitching just by watching David present.

“David was so engaging,” Miles said. “I learned how to pitch my business just from watching David.”

That relationship continued after the visit. At one point, Miles mentioned needing an iPad or computer so he could keep learning more about business and continue building what he had started. A couple weeks later, David sent him a computer.

For a young entrepreneur trying to teach himself through what Miles jokingly called “Youtube University,” that computer meant someone else believed in him.

Betting on Himself

When it came time to think seriously about college, Miles knew what he wanted.

He had counselors suggesting community college first, which can be the right path for many students. But Miles had a strong sense that he would do better in a four year environment.

“I know myself, and I knew a four year university is where I would be my best.”

Tantrum awarded Miles a scholarship to help support his first year of school. For Miles, the opportunity went beyond financial aid and made his future feel reachable.

He now says one of the things inspiring him most is being a first generation college student and making the Dean’s List. In high school, he wanted to go to college,but wasn’t sure the funds would be there. Now he’s there, and thriving.

Winning the Pitch

This spring, Miles added another milestone to the list by winning a school pitch competition after going up against eight other students. The presentation itself may have started in April, but the preparation started months earlier. He said they had been working on the pitch since February. True to form, Miles came prepared.

“I keep my banner and my grill kit with me at all times,” he said.

By the time he stood up to present, he was ready.

“I was so comfortable because I knew my pitch,” he said. “I prayed, and I handled my business.”

And that prize money is being invested right back into MilesOnPluto Grillz.

Balancing it All

For someone with Miles’ energy, one of the biggest challenges has been finding balance.

Running a business while managing classes, studying, relationships, and college life requires a different kind of discipline than simply working hard. It means knowing what to prioritize and what to turn down.

“It’s very tricky at times,” he said. “Scheduling is big.”

He admits that in high school, he was a “yes man.” Now, he’s learning how to say no (even to money) if the opportunity brings more stress than value.

That perspective feels hard earned. It also feels like the kind of lesson that makes a business last.

Miles says schoolwork comes first, college life matters too, and everything in business requires trust and patience.

‍“You can’t rush anything in business,” he said.

Faith, Community, and Joy

Spend enough time talking with Miles and another theme becomes clear, he values people.

He described himself as active in student engagement, someone who likes to bring energy to a room, and someone involved in community-focused groups on campus. He talked about dancing with his roommates, enjoying campus traditions, and appreciating the fun side of college life.

He also spoke openly about his faith.

‍“Sundays are my best day,” he said. He described going to church, resting, and letting business pause for the day. After feeling a little lost during his first semester, he said reconnecting with God helped center him again.

Working hard, staying grounded, and reconnecting when needed guides how he moves through life.

What Comes Next

Miles talks about the future with the same confidence he talks about the present. He wants to attend dental school after college. He hopes to one day own his own dentistry business. He also wants to continue growing as an entrepreneur. And most of all, he wants to create a legacy for his mother and grandmother.

When asked about his biggest dream, though, he answered simply:

“Seeing the smile on my grandma’s face when I make it big.”

There’s something revealing in that answer. Beneath the drive, the goals, the business plans, and the long to-do list is someone deeply motivated by gratitude.

Miles Gilliam is still early in the story. But he already understands that success means more whan it creates opportunities for the people who believed in you first.

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