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Jui Khankar- AInspire

Posted by Hannah Ya

· Friday, November 15th, 2024

· 2 Comments

Oak Brook teen receives Diana Award for nonprofit focusing on AI ...

Imagine if at 16 years old you decided to start a company that helps others learn more about artificial intelligence. Well, that’s what Jui Khankar did with AInspire when she was only 16 years old! AInspire is a nonprofit that helps students to explore and familiarize themselves with AI better all for free! But how big of an impact does AInsipre have in our lives? Well, AInspire has helped to serve over 26,000 students in all 50 states and even 91 countries! Jui also works with a team of 11 other women who are helping to make a difference with AI. She started this nonprofit after attending a summer camp at Stanford University when she was a high school freshman. As more time went on, she had a desire to learn more about AI and how it can further medicine and the future. At first, Jui didn’t find a whole lot of sources and research opportunities about artificial intelligence, especially for beginners wanting to know more. Soon she created AInspire.org and started to help others learn more about AI and its possibilities. Artificial intelligence keeps developing as technology improves, and so does our future. With the rapid development of AI, Jui realized the importance of gaining more knowledge on the topic and concept to help beginners learn more about where the future of AI can take us. With utilizing AI, the future could improve a lot because it can help out businesses to simplify running their businesses. With AInspire, Jui uses lessons and activities to help others grasp the concept of AI with the technical, comprehension, and interpersonal skills that are needed to have a career in the 21st century. Jui also started an AI club at Hinsdale Central. The program is targeted more towards middle and high school students but it’s also available for everyone too. Since AI is being integrated into our everyday lives, it’s better to get a head start on learning about it now. So, since AI is slowly being added everywhere, she wanted to make AInspire free for everyone. AInspire has been seen on NBC, Chicago Sun Times, FOX 32 Chicago, The Hinsdalean, Chicago Tribune, Swiss Cognitive, and much more! You can check out AInspire here!

Sources:

AInspire

Jui Khankari

Ask an expert – JUI KHANKARI, NONPROFIT FOUNDER – The Hinsdalean

Oak Brook teen receives Diana Award for nonprofit focusing on AI education – Chicago Sun-Times

2 Comments

Categories : AI, Coding, Computers, Entrepreneurship, Female Empowerment, Gen Z, Nonprofit, Uncategorized

Touch Up Cup – Carson and Jason Grill

Posted by kuscevicke24

· Friday, November 15th, 2024

· 3 Comments

A few years back, Carson and Jason Grill were doing some touch up painting in their house. With little kids running around and fingerprints everywhere, touch ups always need to be done. Most people save messy paint cans for future touch ups, but this leaves spaces cluttered and smelling like paint. They knew there had to be a better way to save paint for future touch ups that doesn’t involve saving large cans with very little paint left in them.

Carson Grill is the inventor of Touch Up Cup, the most innovative solution to all paint storage problems. Touch Up Cup has an air-tight silicone seal to keep paint fresh for over ten years, eliminating bulky, rusty cans and clumpy paint. Touch Up Cup is a patented product that also has a stainless-steel blending sphere for easy mixing.

Carson Grill and his dad Jason appeared on season 12 of Shark Tank when Carson was just 15 years old. They came in seeking $150,000 in exchange for 10% equity in their company, Touch Up Cup. When they came onto Shark Tank, Touch Up Cup had $220,000 in sales, was in 4,000 stores, and had a private-label partnership with one of the most recognizable brands in Painter’s Tape today.

Carson and Jason received offers from Blake and Damond, and they accepted Blake’s offer for $200,000 for 25% of their company. Touch Up Cup is now generating $2 million in annual revenue and has expanded into Lowe’s and Walmart Stores. Carson and Jason will continue to grow and expand their company to make the painting world easier and better than ever before!

Touch Up Cup - From Shark Tank to Lowe's, Touch Up Cup has you covered ...

Kaitlyn Kuscevic

3 Comments

Categories : Business, Design, Entrepreneurship, Gen Z, Painting, Shark Tank

Helping Young People Achieve Their Dreams as an Entrepreneur Who Has Achieved Hers

Posted by Ana Geike

· Friday, November 15th, 2024

· 2 Comments

Erin McGoff was in the midst of getting her degree to American University when she started realizing her talent in professional advising. People seemed drawn to her for help with applying to jobs through resumes, interviews, and beyond, and McGoff enjoyed every minute of it.

However, this prospect was left unexamined as she graduated and became an editor and director of films, including award-winning Amazon film “This Little Land of Mines.” McGoff was supported through winning various awards, including AU SoC Woman of the Year Award and the International Reporting Fellowship award from the Pulitzer Center, and has worked with many mainstream companies, including National Geographic and Google.

However, McGoff saw an opportunity in the surge of popularity with TikTok during the pandemic to fill the gap in a lack of career advice being readily available to those who needed it. She started posting tips on navigating the professional world, including a humorous element to appeal to a young target audience she thought might benefit from such advice as her friends did and which she delighted in as a young adult. Her main channel is deemed AdviceWithErin and exists over several channels, boasting 845,000 followers YouTube and 2 million on Instagram.

Scrolling through McGoff’s YouTube account, users are met with videos detailing anything from “How To: Negotiate Your Salary in a Job Offer” to “How to Deal with a Rude Person (in work and life)” to “Cabin Tour: building a TINY HOUSE (325 sqft) | Update #3,” showing a diverse pool of content that appeals to many different demographics within her target audience of those seeking advice in entering the professional world and those just generally interested in her channel. McGoff is an exemplary example of someone who kept a skillset in her back pocket and acted on it from a mindset of openness and passion whenever she saw an opportunity to do so.

2 Comments

Categories : Blogging, Business, Coaching, Content Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship, Social Media, Women Entrepreneurs, Young Entrepreneur

John Collison: The Landscape of Tech

Posted by kierajennings

· Tuesday, November 12th, 2024

· 2 Comments

John Collison, Stripe’s co-founder, stands out as one of tech’s most down-to-earth visionaries. Hailing from rural Ireland, John wasn’t raised in the bustling tech hubs of Silicon Valley. He was a curious kid with big ideas, inspired by the endless possibilities of technology and determined to see what he and his older brother, Patrick, could build with it. By their teenage years, they launched their first successful venture, Auctomatic—a tool to help eBay sellers handle inventory. Not only did it work, but it caught fire. A Canadian company snatched it up in 2008 for $5 million, a small fortune for two young guys barely old enough to vote. But this win wasn’t the Collison brothers’ finish line—it was the spark.

Their big “aha!” moment came when they noticed a frustrating issue plaguing every online business: the painfully complicated process of setting up payments. Most companies, especially small startups, struggled to even begin accepting money online. So in 2010, the Collisons took on this problem and launched Stripe. Their approach was simple yet radical: let businesses start accepting payments with just a few lines of code. Stripe became a game-changer, cutting through red tape and technical barriers like a hot knife through butter. Startups, mom-and-pop shops, and eventually giants like Amazon and Google flocked to Stripe because, suddenly, getting paid was no longer a months-long ordeal—it took minutes.

John’s rapid rise to billionaire status is impressive, but it’s not really the point. His story isn’t just about wealth; it’s about reshaping what it means to be an entrepreneur. John and Patrick didn’t start with piles of cash or flashy marketing. They started with a mission to solve a real, persistent problem. Their journey shows that you don’t need to be flashy to be revolutionary—focus, persistence, and timing can be enough. John’s success reminds us that big change often starts with one well-executed idea and a willingness to build it step by step.

2 Comments

Categories : App, App development, Business, Sales, Business::Entrepreneurs, eCommerce, Entrepreneurship, Technology

Josh Feinsilber- His Entrepreneural Journey

Posted by lanzilottadn24

· Friday, November 8th, 2024

· 1 Comment

Josh was just a 16-year-old high school student where he felt that he was not getting the most out of the classroom. He only felt engaged in class when games were played to reinforce learning. He saw that other kids would also get bored during class. Josh enrolled in a project-based internship program where he would learn to code. He learned that he loved to code and really enjoyed doing it. So, he put his love for coding and his want to solve the problem of boredom in the classroom together to form a business. Josh imagined a learning platform that would engage and hold the attention of students. Making the learning fun and help students understand, remember and practice concepts. Josh started joining more clubs in school like computer science club to work on his skills and learn new things. His teachers noticed his curiosity and drive. From there he developed his first codes for his app called Gimkit. This app turning boring lessons into fun interactive games that engage students. It is self-passed with a game portion and writing portion. Gimkit also repeats questions to ensure students understand the concepts. It offers a variety of modes and can be used for homework or for in class work. Josh found a way to intertwine the thrill and competitiveness of games into learning. This app pushed him to a global stage where now Gimkit has been used by over 3 million students and teachers in over 100 countries. He made huge impacts in the world of education. Now giving teachers an easier way to reach their students. Josh Feinsilber made an innovation in the learning space just as a highschooler. Showing that with a vision and a good work ethic anything is possible even as just a sophomore in high school.

How- a -16-year-old- High -school -student -built -a- multi-million -dollar- venture- with- $100.

Sources:

How a 16-year-old High school student built a multi-million dollar venture with $100.

15 Most Successful Teen Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

1 Comment

Categories : Entrepreneurship

Rafay Iqbal: Drip Studio

Posted by williamsef24

· Sunday, November 3rd, 2024

· 2 Comments

Rafay Iqbal founded Drip Studio in 2021. Their goal is to completely provide a company’s brand, web, and story to make it cohesive to the target audience. For the brand, Drip Studio focuses on the brand identity, collateral, strategy, and experience. They also design and develop the company’s website and the digital touch points. Drip Studio also does research for the company. Additionally, as a retainer, they do campaign work, create advertisements, and have ongoing design support. The one thing that really caught my eye is that they will do fundraising initiatives for the company. For example, Drip Studio will prepare and design presentations, help the company’s story be crafted to then get funds from donors, and even create capital raise templates. Since Drip Studio has started, they have helped to raise $750 million and support environment goals by helping to develop sustainable technology. They take the ideas their clients have and make them tangible and achievable, all the while supporting environmental causes.

This innovation is so unique because they have found their niche: helping startups have funds and be able to grow. Drip Studio is the boost that so many ideas and startups need to help them get their feet under them. At the same time, they are also working with larger organizations, like Forbes, to help make their vision a full and complete brand. I think it is so valuable how Drip Studio is not only connecting all the dots but making the connections smooth and flowing into one another. It is continuous problem solving and solution finding. Each company is different, and yet each solution is seamless.

Also, looking at their website is so interesting. Drip Studio shares some of the companies they work with, their problems, and how they found a solution. Their transparency here is incredible because it adds to their credibility by show casing their work and then draws in potential customers by demonstrating the tangibility of their work. Their own branding is impeccable as it all flows together so smoothly and without any cracks.

2 Comments

Categories : Advertisement, Entrepreneurship, Marketing

Lavish by Grace

Posted by bonaquistmr23

· Monday, October 28th, 2024

· 3 Comments

Meet Sherline Raaw, a young entrepreneur who created a Christian apparel business during the pandemic. Sherline first had been waiting tables for five years but knew that she didn’t want to be a server all her life. Tired of her life as a server, Sherline needed change. She decided to join the Air Force for stability and for their benefit. During her time joining the Air Force, Sherline also just got proposed to by her boyfriend of four years, while still in tech school, and trying to move out of her parents’ home. Despite her busy schedule. Sherline still found time to be with God.

She kept having this idea of Lavish by Grace in her head, but she didn’t know where to go. Asking God for guidance in her busy schedule, she looked to Him for what to do next. Right in 2019, when the pandemic hit, everyone was at home. That’s when she really found time and got to design her brand more. During her time at home, she noticed the lack of minimal Christian apparel and decided to aim her business in that direction. She started creating minimal(istic) matching loungewear that still embodied Christ. Her own idea took 2 years before she launched it. This idea had been brewing for quite some time, but thanks to Covid, she really got to invest her time in it.

The mission of Lavish by Grace is, “we live in a world where everything runs out and everything has a limit. However, God’s grace, which has been lavished upon us, does not. There is no better word to describe it than lavish. Lavish by Grace was founded with the intention of sharing my faith and raising awareness of Jesus Christ using minimal and comfortable clothing,” says Raaw. This beautiful idea brings a strong community together with simple and comfortable clothing.

Despite her busy schedule, Sherline was able to launch Lavish by Grace, woman apparel, during the pandemic. She wanted it to be more than just minimalist, cute loungewear for woman though. She wanted to create a community centered on Christ and comfort. With her company, she’s done well to sell at high-quality apparel while continuing to foster the Christian mindset. Her business is only at its wonderful beginning!

3 Comments

Categories : Apparel/Accessories, Business, Small Business, eCommerce, Entrepreneurship, Fashion, Ministry

Ben Francis: Gymshark

Posted by kierajennings

· Monday, October 28th, 2024

· 2 Comments

Ben Francis is one of those rare entrepreneurs who didn’t just build a brand—he built a movement in fitness culture. As the founder of Gymshark, he took a simple idea from his garage and turned it into a global brand that’s now competing with giants like Nike and Adidas. But unlike those big names, Francis started as a regular gym-goer who saw an opportunity to make workout gear that actually fit well, looked good, and felt like it belonged to the modern bodybuilding community.

Francis’ journey as an entrepreneur is relatable because he started young, balancing college classes and a job delivering pizza. His days were ordinary, but he had this intense passion for fitness and technology. So in 2012, he and his friends started Gymshark, literally printing t-shirts in his parents’ garage. Their goal wasn’t just to make money; it was to create workout gear that stood out from what mainstream brands were offering. Traditional brands didn’t focus on the tight, fitted clothing that lifters wanted—stuff that would show off hard-earned muscles but also be functional.

What really set Gymshark apart was Francis’ approach to marketing. Back then, social media was just starting to blow up, and Francis was one of the first to realize that influencers could make a brand cool. Instead of spending money on traditional ads, he sent free Gymshark gear to fitness influencers on Instagram and YouTube, making Gymshark gear a kind of badge in the online gym community. Suddenly, Gymshark wasn’t just a brand—it was a symbol of the fitness culture that valued authenticity and dedication over big budgets.

Even when Gymshark blew up, Francis kept focusing on what his audience wanted. He stepped down as CEO for a few years to let more experienced managers lead the brand’s growth. But in 2021, he returned as CEO with a vision to make Gymshark not just bigger, but better, aligning the brand with sustainability and other values important to younger generations.

Ben Francis’ story shows that entrepreneurship isn’t just about making money—it’s about understanding people and culture. His journey proves that a simple idea, driven by passion and creativity, can go head-to-head with industry giants if it truly connects with a community.

2 Comments

Categories : Athletics, Bodybuilding, Bodybuilding, Business::Entrepreneurs, entertainment, Entrepreneurship, Gen Z, Health, Healthy Lifestyle, Influencer, Male Entrepreneurs, mental health, Nutrition

Rajia Abdelaziz: InvisaWear

Posted by Blythe Douglass

· Saturday, October 26th, 2024

· 4 Comments

Rajia Abdelaziz’s journey as an entrepreneur began with a deeply terrifying experience that revealed a significant gap in the market for easily accessible personal safety solutions. One evening, as she walked to an event, she encountered a car full of guys who made an inappropriate comment and then attempted to get out. Although she managed to lock herself in her car and escape, the encounter revealed to Rajia how quickly a situation could escalate and how little time there is to react.

So, this led to Rajia’s desire to create a better solution. Through her research, Rajia was disappointed to find that most safety devices were bulky and unattractive, resembling panic buttons that many would refuse to wear. So, with her desire to create safety devices that blend seamlessly into everyday life, she created InvisaWear. This brand offers a range of stylish accessories—necklaces, bracelets, keychains, fitness bands, and scrunchies—each equipped with a hidden button. With just a double press, users can instantly alert five pre-selected emergency contacts, share their location, and even contact 9-1-1 if needed.

Rajia Abdelaziz stands as a great example of the impact young entrepreneurs can have by harnessing their experiences to create meaningful change in the world, proving that creativity and determination can lead to powerful solutions.

4 Comments

Categories : Apparel/Accessories, Business, Entrepreneurship, Jewelry