20 | AUGUST 29 • 2024
I
nspired by their fathers, who
work in business and/or finance,
Frankel Jewish Academy rising
juniors Louie Kowalsky, 15, Aiden
Felhandler and Aaron Schuchman,
both 16, took it upon themselves to
dive into the same entrepreneurial
spirit as their parents.
During their sophomore year at the
academy, the trio of friends launched
Oakland Event Rentals, which offers
a Skittles vending machine for rent
for events, parties and more.
“Basically, the way it works is you
walk up to the machine, and you have
an option of five flavors,” Schuchman
says. “You pick three flavors, and
the machine automatically dispenses
them for you. Then you take the cup,
and you eat the Skittles.”
Introduced to the fun and colorful
Skittles Remix Digital Kiosk by their
business mentor Bubba Urdan, who
reached out to kiosk manufacturer
Howard Rubin on their behalf, the
Frankel Jewish Academy students
decided it was the perfect fit for their
new business venture.
While it may only be their first
business, the West Bloomfield and
Bloomfield Hills boys have already
rented out the machine for two events
this summer, including a fundraiser
and a birthday party at an outdoor
pavilion. They have other events in
the works as well.
“I’ve talked to all of the clients so
far and they’ve loved it,” Felhandler
says.
Skittles Remix Digital Kiosk rental
prices vary by event size but start at
$150 and can go up to $975 or more
depending on how many people will
be attending.
PURSUING A PASSION
Growing up in business-minded fam-
ilies, Kowalsky, who attended Detroit
Economic Club meetings with his
photographer father, says the three
friends were always passionate about
entrepreneurship through childhood.
They also learned about the impor-
tance of tzedakah, or charity and
philanthropy, from a young age.
Therefore, they’ve decided that
10% of all proceeds from Oakland
Event Rentals will be donated to local
Jewish organizations, such as Jewish
Federation of Detroit and Hillel Day
School. “It’s a big part of our busi-
ness,” Schuchman says.
Rubin, who grew up at Temple
Israel and is now the president
of Incredivend, home of Skittles
Remix Digital Kiosk, says he loaned
the machine to the Frankel Jewish
Academy students. The students
in return buy the product from his
company and are responsible for all
aspects of the business.
“I think the boys are learning a lot
about business with each conversa-
tion they have,” Rubin says. “They are
learning that while you need to have
a plan, you also need to be able to
adjust on the fly to meet the needs of
your customers.”
Like your favorite candy shop or
bulk food store on the go, the stu-
dents hope to expand the business
in the future and offer up even more
candy options. They call it a great fit
for bar and bat mitzvahs, birthday
parties, family events and school
fundraisers.
“We for sure want to expand the
business,” Felhandler says. “We are
looking at more machines to expand
with because we are very passionate
about this business, and we love the
environment that we’ve worked in. It’s
totally a goal for us.”
Student-run event rental business offers
Skittles vending machine for parties.
FJA Students Serve Up Skittles
ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
OUR COMMUNITY
Louie Kowalsky,
Aiden Felhandler and
Aaron Schuchman
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