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

YOUR AD HERE

E M A I L O R C A L L

sales@thejewishnews.com

248.354.6060

ADVERTISE 
WITH 
US!

DIGITAL 
& PRINT 
SPACE 
AVAILABLE.

