jews d

in
the

Building
Entrepreneurship

BBYO program helps girls become
capable at business.

BRAYDEN HIRSCH SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

M

y heart was racing as the
judges walked back into
the room. We were all hop-
ing our business plan would win this
year’s Shark Tank-style event. I had
a sliver of hope that my partner and
I would win, but I mostly thought I
was not capable of winning.
Judge Ally Cohen, owner of
Frameable Faces, began to speak.
“The judges and I decided on our
winner because we feel this business
idea is something we believe can
actually happen.”
Instantly, I ruled myself out. I did
not think I could run a business, let
alone one that required a storefront.
“The winner is Sip ‘N Study!”
Cohen announced.
I was not sure I had heard that
right. Hannah Knoll and I had just
won $250 to start our own business!
For the past three years, I have
been fortunate enough to be a
part of a program called Building
Entrepreneurship, a program created
and supported by BBYO Michigan
Region. It’s for Jewish high school
girls aspiring to become entre-
preneurs. Through the program,
we build our confidence, become
empowered as future female Jewish
leaders, and grow our knowledge of
business and entrepreneurs. Only a
set number of girls are selected to
participate each year through an
application process.
This program has provided me
with so many assets I will hold with
me as I continue to grow outside of
high school. I have learned the basics
of starting a business, and I now
know that I am capable of it. I have
learned leadership skills by being one
of the coordinators of this program,
and I have gained skills in public
speaking as well.
Building Entrepreneurship has four
events every year. First was a week-
end retreat in Downtown Detroit,
where we met with several business
owners, including Alexandra Clark of
Bon Bon Bon and Erin Gavle of the
El Dorado General Store. Many of the
owners were women and/or Jewish.
It was eye-opening to hear all these

successful businesswomen share
their stories with us. Still, I never
thought I was capable of coming up
with a successful business idea or
even trying to start a business.
During the retreat, we visited
Quicken Loans and were inspired by
female leaders within the company.
They worked with us to help develop
ideas for businesses to present in the
Shark Tank event.
Hannah and I had no idea where
to begin. We were exhausted from a
long day and could not think straight.
We had just been talking about a
chemistry test we both had so we
were on the subject of school. Then,
we came to the realization that there
isn’t a good place for teens to study

Friendship Circle

Hannah Knoll and Brayden Hirsch with
their Shark Tank winning idea

continued on page 40

jn

April 19 • 2018

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