Meet 2 of our terrific Mindset & Milestones Ambassadors, Michelle (left) and Sanya (right)! Michelle is a rising high school senior from New York City and Sanya is a rising high school junior from Cupertino, California. Read on to learn more about their hobbies, recent passions, and overall experiences with the program!
Why did you decide to join the Ambassador Program?
Michelle: I decided to join because I wanted to learn more about how to build an entrepreneurial mindset and to apply it to improve on the organizations I started!
Sanya: I had an idea for an organization that I wanted to create, but I had no idea where to start. I also needed some help in terms of distinguishing myself, as well as just general steps to launching a business.
What have you been working on during the Ambassador Program?
Michelle: I'm working on providing fashionable and expressive clothes and accessories for homeless youths through an eco-friendly method: upcycling. I hope to empower them by fostering positive identities, helping them gain confidence and self-esteem, and to feel great about who they are while using fashion to express their individualities.
Sanya: I’ve been creating a service that connects card makers to people in need, particularly seniors. I came up with this idea when I noticed how happy my grandparents were when receiving my art for special events, and when they talked about how lonely it can sometimes become, I wanted to do something to help.
What has been your favorite part of the Ambassador Program so far?
Michelle: My favorite part of being an Ambassador is the guidance I receive from the founder, Diondraya. She's really supportive and inspires me to use entrepreneurship to make a difference in my community.
Sanya: I really like support I get through the workbook, and filling out the sections is always a fun thing to do every week!
What lessons do you think entrepreneurship can teach girls?
Michelle: Entrepreneurship can teach girls how to take risks and to utilize their creativity and leadership to solve a real-life problem confidently.
Sanya: I believe entrepreneurship can teach girls to pursue their dreams, as well as how to showcase a unique, female perspective in male-dominated work spaces.
What are you passionate about?
Michelle: I am very passionate about fashion and using entrepreneurship to make positive impacts in my community such as helping homeless and low-income families.
Sanya: I’m passionate about female and POC representation in STEM, as I’ve experienced many different situations being the only girl in my engineering classes, as well as prejudice due to my race.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Michelle: In my free time, I’m creating a magazine for my organization that's dedicated to empower and inspire teenagers and youths through fashion. I also tutor and mentor youths through an organization I co-founded, called Students2Learn, to close the achievement gap and to educate youths on various subjects and life skills that are not usually taught at school. Besides that, I love to sing!
Sanya: I enjoy drawing digitally in my free time, and I also contribute to some student-led organizations in order to use my art to inspire female POC!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Michelle: In 10 years, I see myself owning a successful apparel business that incorporates cultures and fashion from all over the world and empowers people to use fashion to find their voice. Additionally, I see myself creating positive impacts in my community by giving back to homeless and low-income families.
Sanya: I see myself working at a tech company, working on new technologies to revolutionize the computer science industry in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
Michelle: I like to travel and explore different cultures, food, and fashion from all over the world.
Sanya: I love rollerblading and different forms of exercise, and I usually do it for at least three miles a day!
Thank you so much for reading all our Ambassador Spotlights these past few weeks and stay tuned for our upcoming blog posts highlighting more young female entrepreneurs!
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Stay happy, healthy, and innovative!
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