Minneapolis Girls Graduate Innovative Business & Leadership Academy With Laptop, Success Skills, & CEO Mindset
When high school junior Eleanor (they/them) joined Girls With Impact’s Business Academy as part of their after-school program through Minneapolis-based Project Success, little did they know what impact it would have.
“I already got an internship all because of Girls With Impact,” Eleanor exclaimed at the Girls With Impact graduation this week. “The program set me a part!”
Eleanor, who created ‘Dismay Crochet’ to sell unique and customizable crochet goods, was among a dozen under-resourced young people from Project Success who completed entered - and graduated -- from Girls With Impact’s unique 10-week Business & Leadership Academy. The pilot initiative - with the generous support of the U.S. Bank Foundation - is designed to instill critical business and leadership skills while women are young, helping them overcome barriers to career and financial success and driving economic mobility in the local community.
“Girls With Impact’s training helps these girls re-imagine what they can become,” said Project Success Founder & Executive Director Adrienne Diercks “The ventures they developed - and the real-world business tools they’ve acquired --are already changing their futures. We’re thrilled.”
“The next generation of women is hungry to learn, get ahead and impact our world,” said Girls With Impact CEO Jennifer Openshaw. “We’re proving that a small investment today yields tremendous payoff tomorrow for these girls: work readiness skills, internships, full rides to college, and a diverse and entrepreneurial-minded talent pipeline employers need.”
The Academy -- led by MBA instructors -- guided these young people ages 14-18 to bring an idea to life, culminating in a business plan and venture pitch. Along the way, they learned foundational business skills - from business planning and critical thinking to marketing, finances, public speaking and more. Over 90% of graduates report increased leadership confidence.
The young people also received a laptop to provide equal access to critical digital resources, all part of Girls With Impact’s mission to level the playing field for all women in business.”
Among the graduates were:
Deja H., CEO of Youth + Love, a brush device that applies skincare products directly onto your skin to shorten your skin routine and make application less messy.
Caitlin P., CEO of Clawed, producing high quality claw clips (for hair) made from sustainable materials.
Saniya E., CEO of Bags for Bags, a website to buy new bags, get used bags, and sell your used bags. Old bags are fixed and stitched to be reused.
Ruby P., CEO of Dandelion Shoelaces, cost-friendly shoelaces made of sustainable and eco-friendly materials.
Project Success’ Diercks closed the graduation by telling her own story of overcoming barriers. She told the girls the many responses to her idea to create Project Success: “bad idea,” “there isn’t a need,” and "It won't work.” Today, Project Success has served over 16,000 students and continues to push the boundaries as a woman in the business world and support students in achieving their big dreams.
The graduates will now be paired with mentors from U.S. Bank and elsewhere to guide their college and career success while having access to other like-minded graduates from across the country.
“I see myself as more capable, now,” said Caitlin P. “ Girls With Impact really helped me see that there are so many different routes I can take. Even starting with a simple idea, I can really make an impact and do something I’ve always thought about.”
To learn more or register your student, visit www.girlswithimpact.org
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