Bryan Sims is a 23-year old alumnus of Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis. Just five years after graduating, he runs his own magazine, called "brass," focusing on helping young adults deal with money. On Thursday he spoke at his alma mater.

"I came from the same place they did, and if I can make it, then they can make it," explains Sims, the founder and CEO of brassMEDIA. "More importantly too are the tips. People get taken advantage of, a lot of students get taken advantage of, by companies, credit card companies, whatever, so giving them advice on finances, and tips like that."

brassMEDIA is run out of an office complex in Corvallis, distributing 350,000 copies of its magazine to readers in more than 35 states.