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Archive for Nonprofit

Rare Beauty- Selena Gomez

Posted by Ava Tiger

· Wednesday, December 11th, 2024

· 3 Comments

As someone who loves all thing beauty and has tried most of the brand on the market, one that has always stood out to me is Selena Gomez’s brand Rare Beauty. Selena’s company has totally shifted a once one-dimensional market by making her products more accessible for all.

One thing about Gomez that really inspired the design behind her products is that she has lupus. She has been able to take the problems she has struggled with and applied it to her brand so that others struggling don’t have to feel alone as well. She says on her websites story, “We want to promote self-acceptance and give people the tools they need to feel less alone in the world.” Her brand has done this by making each one of their products more assessable by all. For example, most of their products have little spheres on top so someone who struggles with their grip is able to hold on and open it far easier than most other products. They were able to produce this design by partnering with experts at CCRI (Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare) who, “conducted a study to gather information on what product attributes aid or hinder usability and satisfaction for users with disabilities.” All of this effort has absolutely paid off, we see this in her company’s 1.3-billion-dollar net worth according to multiple sources. Not only does this money go back into her brand, but she only is the founder of the Rare Impact Fund, which is a charity that helps grow the mental health institutes in underdeveloped areas.

Not only has Selena had a massive impact in the makeup community as a whole, but she has changed the lives of so many women who have struggled with disabilities to feel seen, heard and loved!

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez | Vegan & Cruelty Free Makeup

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Makeup Line Preview | Makeup brands, Selena ... How Selena Gomez Built Rare Beauty Into TikTok's Favorite Brand - Bloomberg

3 Comments

Categories : Beauty, Costmetics, Health, Nonprofit, Skin care, Women Entrepreneurs

Malala Yousafzai

Posted by Grace Langworthy

· Sunday, December 8th, 2024

· 1 Comment

Malala Yousafzai is globally renowned for her courage and dedication to advocating for girls’ education, but she is also a remarkable entrepreneur. Her journey began in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, where she defied the Taliban’s oppressive restrictions on education for girls. This defiance nearly cost her life, but Malala’s resilience turned a personal tragedy into a global movement for change. At just 17, Malala became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize winner. She has also used her platform to establish the Malala Fund, a groundbreaking nonprofit organization aimed at addressing systemic barriers to education. The Fund invests in local education initiatives, advocates for policy changes, and amplifies the voices of young women around the world. Malala’s entrepreneurial spirit lies in her ability to blend advocacy with impactful action. She shared her journey through her memoir, I Am Malala, which became a bestseller and inspired millions of people around the world. Her organization has embraced innovative partnerships with governments, corporations, and other nonprofits to maximize impact, showcasing her strategic vision.

As an entrepreneur, Malala’s approach is deeply rooted in sustainability and empowerment. Through the Malala Fund, she has helped provide education to thousands of girls in countries like Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Syria. She views education not just as a fundamental right but as a pathway to solving global challenges like poverty and gender inequality. Malala Yousafzai is a testament to how entrepreneurial leadership can extend beyond profit-driven ventures. By combining advocacy, strategic partnerships, and a relentless commitment to social justice, she has redefined what it means to be a changemaker in the modern world. Her work continues to inspire a generation to believe that education and equality are powerful tools for shaping a better future.

1 Comment

Categories : Entrepreneurship, Nonprofit, Uncategorized

Ryan Hickman: CEO of Ryan’s Recycling

Posted by krummelva24

· Saturday, December 7th, 2024

· 2 Comments

Ryan Hickman’s love for recycling began in 2012 when he was only 3 and a half years old after his dad took him to the local recycling center. He realized at a young age that everyone had a part to play in maintaining the environment. Ryan played his part by creating his own business: Ryan’s Recycling Company. He started his business ventures by handing out empty plastic bags to his neighbors in his hometown of Orange County, California in hopes that they would save their cans and bottles for him to recycle. The friends, families, and coworkers of his neighbors also saved their recyclables for Ryan too. He soon had customers all over Orange County. On the weekends, Ryan and his dad would drive around to local houses to collect their cans and bottles, sort through his customers’ recyclables, and deliver them to the recycling center. Within a decade of Ryan’s Recycling Company, Ryan had successfully collected and recycled 1.6 million cans and bottles. His motivation for his business stems from his determination to help the environment.

Ryan’s passion for recycling will stay with him for his entire life. All of the money he earns through Ryan’s Recycling goes towards his college education. Though he is still young, Ryan’s current plan is to attend a college close to home so that he can continue to run his recycling company while in college. Ryan is also a Youth Ambassador at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California and gives them the proceeds from selling t-shirts and hats with the Ryan’s Recycling logo on them. Ryan says that the Center’s mission is to “rescue sick and injured seals and sea lions to help them get better.” Additionally, in 2020, Ryan founded a nonprofit called Project3R, which strives to inform and educate others on the importance of recycling and to increase environmental awareness among all people. Project 3R also hosts community events such as beach cleanups. Ryan is inspiring his friends, neighbors, and community to make the world a better place. “It feels good knowing that I make a difference,” Ryan says. “I just know that people are inspired, and they aren’t littering, and [they are] picking up as much trash as they see on the ground.”

To learn more about Ryan’s Recycling Company, click here.

2 Comments

Categories : Business::Entrepreneurs, eco-friendly, Environment, Nonprofit, Recycling, Uncategorized, Young Entrepreneur

Jahkil Naeem Jackson: Founder of Project I Am

Posted by Sarah Karns

· Tuesday, November 19th, 2024

· 4 Comments

Jahkil Naeem Jackson is a 16-year-old boy who has an inspiring desire to help people in need. When he was younger, he helped his aunt minister to homeless men and women in Chicago by providing food and a few other necessities to them. It was through this experience that he decided he wanted to do something really impactful to help the homeless. So, at just 8 years old, Jahkil founded Project I Am, an organization that works to raise awareness of homelessness and help the unhoused population through providing what Jahkil calls “Blessing Bags,” which are filled with bottled water, toiletries, socks, and other necessities. Jahkil is now 16 and a 2-time bestselling author, and Project I Am is more successful than ever, having served over 135,000 people in the unhoused population.

Jahkil has received numerous accolades and awards for his philanthropy and influence, including being named a Youth Ambassador for Heartland Alliance and added to the WE International Youth Council. Most importantly though, Jahkil was noted as one of the three most influential people of 2017 by Barack Obama. These are incredible accomplishments for a 16-year-old and the impact that Jahkil is having on homeless people of all ages is enormous. Overall, Jahkil has the drive, compassion, and creativity of a true entrepreneur and is an inspiring figure in the area of social innovation.

If you want to learn more about Jahkil or the mission of Project I Am, visit the website here.

4 Comments

Categories : Homelessness, Kid Entrepreneurs, Nonprofit

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

In Pursuit of the MVP – The Tim Tebow Foundation

Posted by Gwen Graybill

· Sunday, October 27th, 2024

· No Comments

If you thought MVP meant Most Valuable Player, you would be wrong. When Tim Tebow uses MVP, he means Most Vulnerable Person.

Years ago I was able to hear Pam Tebow speaking at a fall fundraiser for AbbaCare Crisis Pregnancy Center in Winchester, Virginia. This connection has prompted me enjoy a glimpse or two of what her son Tim Tebow is up to. Pam was encouraged to abort him, and told her story at that fall fundraiser. Knowing that Tim’s life was disposable, and seeing how he has such a heart for the Lord is inspirational!

During his college years, he played football and won the Heisman trophy as an undergrad. Tim’s life has been full of changes and pivoting. He had planned to play NFL football for years but God had other plans for his life. After playing in the NFL for several years, he played professional baseball for a time, and was a college football analyst with ESPN. He was well known for his Christian faith and his willingness to be unashamed to be a witness for it both on and off the field.

Please read Tim’s story ! Tim’s love for the Lord drives him. He has been through a lot after college in terms of a hopeful career in football that never transpired as he thought it would. (A Romans 8:28 example to be sure.) However, Tim not getting discouraged or down caused more good to so many. He took the focus away from his own disappointments in life and focused on others, the MVP’s, with an entrepreneurial idea!

He began an organization called the Tim Tebow Foundation in 2010. His founding of the Tim Tebow Foundation has giving hope to so many people. The TTF’s mission is:

“Our Mission is to bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.”

The TTF accomplishes this in many ways. They have worked in over 86 countries. They are involved in caring for orphans, saving children from trafficking and also helping children with disabilities. One wonderful event is called Night to Shine. This entrepreneurial event is hosted by volunteer churches. “Night to Shine” is for people over the age of 14 who have disabilities. From the website “Night to Shine is an unforgettable celebration event, centered on God’s love, honoring and valuing people with special needs.”

When we go through rough times in life, so often we tend to feel sorry for ourselves and can easily give in to despair. Tim Tebow is a good example for everyone, in that when things didn’t work out like he dreamed they would, he took the focus off of himself and served others!

No Comments

Categories : Athletics, Charity, Christian, Nonprofit, pivoting, Social Entrepreneur, Social Impact, Uncategorized

Kenan Pala – Founder of Kids4Community

Posted by Sarah Karns

· Tuesday, October 1st, 2024

· 3 Comments

In 2015, 11-year-old Kenan Pala had an influential experience which sparked the idea for a nonprofit that has raised well over half a million dollars for homelessness initiatives in San Diego. Pala and his father went on a run at the beach, where they encountered a sick baby seal. There were many people surrounding the seal and attempting to care for it, giving it blankets and calling shelters. Then on the drive home from the beach, Pala and his father passed a homeless man who clearly needed help; however, no one seemed to care, and everyone walked or drove past the man as if he was completely invisible. It was this stark comparison between the baby seal and the homeless man that sparked Pala’s passion for homelessness and drove him to starting Kids4Community, a nonprofit that partners with local organizations to get kids involved with volunteer work early on and helps kids to help the community.

Pala is an incredibly driven young man, who possesses traits and skills, such as passion, determination, and a strong work ethic, that have aided him as an entrepreneur. His realization for his passion for homelessness was a realization that led him to develop a unique business that not only works to solve homelessness, but also builds a community of youth in the process. Running Kids4Community while also juggling the time commitments of school and cross-country took a great deal of determination on his part. He works hard in all three of these areas and is thriving in all of them, with Kids4Community growing and expanding to other regions of California and his running efforts resulting in him running cross country in college.

Overall, Kenan Pala is a very inspiring young entrepreneur who has used his passions and skills to make a lasting impact on the San Diego community.

To learn more about Kids4Community and the work that Kenan is doing, visit the website here.

3 Comments

Categories : Homelessness, Nonprofit

Martinez Brothers – Are You Kidding Socks

Posted by Alayna Dorst

· Monday, September 23rd, 2024

· No Comments

Brandon (17) and Sebastian Martinez (15) are the founders of the sock-selling business, Are You Kidding Socks. Their business sprouted from Sebastian’s obsession with fun, patterned socks when Brandon was 8 years old and Sebastian was 6. In 2014, Sebastian started designing his own socks and, with the help of their mom, had them manufactured professionally. Their company has sold well over $1 million worth of socks and continues to grow as they reach more and more of the sock market.

Their purpose for their company now is to help grow awareness for local and national charities like Stand Up to Cancer, Autism Speaks, Amigos for Kids, and more. Their sock designs themselves raise awareness for many conditions and illnesses like pediatric cancer, autism, and breast cancer. They are now in partnership with 13 charities and work every day to make socks that help raise money for people in need.

These kids didn’t come up with a unique, problem-solving product that changes how we live day-to-day. No, their innovation was how they designed their business and their purpose behind it. What started out as just a six-year-old coloring sock designs for fun has now turned into a massive non-profit business that supports many different causes and seeks to change lives for the better. They inspire me with their passion for kids and people with illnesses, mental handicaps, special needs, etc. to look for ways I can support and give back to the community that serves me. They have also shown that you don’t have to make a life-changing technological breakthrough to have an impact on people.

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Categories : Apparel/Accessories, Art, Business, Business::Entrepreneurs, Charity, Design, Gen Z, Kid Entrepreneurs, Kids, Nonprofit, Socks

Neha Gupta: Empower Orphans

Posted by hensontc21

· Wednesday, November 9th, 2022

· 3 Comments

Neha’s social enterprise all stemmed from her family’s tradition. Her grandparents would take Neha and her family to local orphanages to help provide meals to the children. At only 9 years old, this really opened Neha’s eyes and she was struck with motivation to help these kids in need. She organized a garage sale to sell her things to raise money. With the money she made, Neha began a library for the orphanage and got sweaters and food. Neha continued to find ways to raise money so she could provide for the orphanage and work to break the cycle of poverty.

Neha’s organization began from the empathy she felt for the children she saw in orphanages. The Empower Orphans website even states that “Part of our mission is to inspire youth to convert their empathy into action and join our ripple effect. Because we strongly believe in the power of young people to create social change, we are a fully youth-run organization.” All stemming from Neha’s empathy, she has now created a whole non-profit organization with the mission to provide for underprivileged children to get them on their feet and break the cycle of poverty.

This story is very inspiring to me to see how Neha’s empathy and motivation to help turned into a non-profit organization. I also find it interesting that this all started from family tradition. From a family doing good together and exposing their children to give back, lead to an even bigger result. It is amazing to see the impact that empathy had on Neha at only 9 years old. She took action without any hesitation. That is so inspiring to see in all these stories of young entrepreneurs who just did and didn’t hesitate to act. I see how empathy and the desire to help others has been the driving factor is so many young entrepreneurial stories.

3 Comments

Categories : Nonprofit

Kenan Pala

Posted by joedeluca21

· Monday, October 10th, 2022

· 3 Comments

The young entrepreneur who I found is named Kenan Pala and he created his business called kids4community. This is a non-profit organization that works with charitable organizations that engage children who are five years or older. The purpose of this is to introduce the concept of charitable work to young kids. One thing I found interesting is how he came up with this business idea. He said in an interview that he was on a leisurely run with his dad and had an “aha moment” when he saw people aiding a baby seal who needed help but not homeless people. This sparked his passion for helping people who are in need when he saw that happen. Kenan was also very involved with volunteering for his community but noticed that it was hard to find work to do because of his young age. I thought it was a great idea because it is creating a positive impact on kid’s lives and at the same time is helping the community. This is also beneficial for parents because instead of finding a babysitter and paying money to watch your kid, you can just send them to this, and they will be busy and accounted for. This young man is very inspiring because he was very determined to make this successful. When he encountered problems at the start with having enough volunteers, he just focused on his vision of helping the homeless. His passion outweighed the conflicts he encountered which eventually led to success and growth of the business. The one question that I have is how he can expand this to other states across the country. I hope that he is able to keep his business growing so that he can have a positive impact on kids and the community.

3 Comments

Categories : Health, Kids, Male Entrepreneurs, Nonprofit, Services, Volunteer, Young Entrepreneur