The entrepreneurial landscape is constantly changing, and it takes a certain type of leader to ride the wave of disruption and innovation. From nonprofit heroes to culinary experts, 10 notable entrepreneurs with expertise share their determination, creativity, and ambition to inspire you to learn more about their journey to success. Meet these aspiring entrepreneurs who are forging their own paths.
Model-turned-entrepreneur Vogel launched her international handbag brand as a self-financed 21-year-old exchange student in Milan in 2020. During her time in Europe, the observant Vogel noticed that the small, chic bags that Italian women casually but carefully slung over their shoulders were “just starting to catch on and become a style.” Leveraging her background in marketing and finance, Vogel set out to create Vogel’s signature bags. The result is a series of bags with sleek silhouettes made from timeless, genuine Italian leather and accented with gold hardware that have proven hugely popular with buyers of all ages. Vogel, a Colorado native, has spent the past four years leveraging the power of social media to grow her brand both organically and through influencers.
One night, at the age of 18, Yang woke up choking on his own blood; his platelet count was critically low. Doctors told him he had only hours to days to live. He survived, but was hospitalized for two years with a severe blood disorder where “the slightest muscle movement” could kill him. To combat loneliness, Yang turned to online gaming, spending over 10,000 hours on games such as: League of Legends Yang made friends all over the world, including medical researchers who introduced him to a world-renowned hematologist. Yang embraced his revived sense of purpose, wanting to create video games that would teach, inspire and “save lives, literally and figuratively.” Since its founding in 2014, video game development company Serenity Forge has released a string of hits, including: Where water tastes like wine and Exciting Literature Club Plus!—Yang succeeded Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2020. Yang, an aspiring entrepreneur, believes video games will change the world in many areas over the next few years, from education to business operations to social impact. “Video games saved my life. They might save yours,” Yang said.
Growing up in Taiwan, Chen had access to some of the most delicious and vibrant street food in the world, something she missed dearly as a college student in a small town in Canada with no Asian cuisine. Chen grew homesick and missed the tastes and aromas that connected her to family. So Chen took matters into her own hands in her dorm kitchen, first making small, simple dishes like fried rice, then leveling up to more complex dishes like pho. What started as a way to relieve stress grew into a social media following, a cookbook, and appearances on shows like “The Wonderful World.” Good morning, AmericaLast November, Cheng launched her Asian food company, Kai Dong (which means “Let’s eat!” in Chinese), to bring her favourite recipes directly to kitchens across the country, using premium ingredients and easy-to-make recipes.
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Indie pop trio Met Brothers Adam, Jack and Ryan started out busking in Washington Square Park. Now they’re playing multiple nights at the famed Madison Square Garden. But the band wants to make an impact beyond music by practicing environmental sustainability while on the road. They think about their environmental impact even before they hit the road, considering everything from offsetting their carbon footprint to avoiding single-use plastics. AJR is also scrutinizing who they partner with, like Planet Reimagined, a nonprofit that trains future climate change leaders. The nonprofit offers customized fellowships that teach researchers and advocates how to work together for maximum impact. (Bassist Adam, who holds a PhD in human rights law and sustainable development, is the organization’s founder and executive director.) Recently, Planet Reimagined partnered with the UK-based nonprofit Climate Outreach to conduct a first-of-its-kind survey aimed at gauging fans’ perceptions of artists who use their platform for important issues.
After more than a decade in the music and film industries, the cousins ​​developed a taste for fine whiskey while spending time backstage and in countless bars and venues. When the pandemic halted the entertainment industry, Axter and von Schroeder decided to turn grain into whiskey. The aspiring entrepreneurs knew what flavors worked from their days as amateur whiskey lovers, but they also knew that whiskey was primarily served as a “man’s drink.” “So we decided to make our own whiskey and invite everyone to the party,” the founders say. With the launch of Roadster Whisky last year, the pair blended straight high rye bourbon with American single malt whiskey to create a delicious, smooth spirit. The whiskey is enviable enough to be the first whiskey backed by Diageo’s Distill Ventures’ award-winning pre-accelerator program, which supports beverage industry entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds. “Building community is one of our guiding principles,” Axter says. “It was important to us that whisky was approachable. We wanted it to be inclusive and appealing to newcomers to the whisky community, but also satisfy the palate of those who enjoy whisky regularly.”
You’ve probably seen the Renault before, probably as a model in a magazine. trend or as a host/correspondent ExtraBut perhaps Renaud’s most important role is as the founder of Buttah, a highly effective skincare product line for melanin-rich skin. Buttah was inspired by Renaud’s own unique skincare journey, where he searched for the right products for his skin while battling blemishes, hyperpigmentation, and irritation from the constant application of made-for-TV makeup. Renaud started incorporating shea butter into his routine at the suggestion of a photographer. Now it’s the main ingredient in his line, sourced in Ghana, West Africa. In the process, Renaud has inspired other men to take care of their skin, too. The bottom line: Common skin concerns like hyperpigmentation don’t have to be normal. “It’s not about how you look, it’s about how you feel about yourself,” he says. Since launching in 2018, Buttah has developed a strong following that includes celebrities like Beyoncé, Keri Hilson, and even 2 Chainz.
The 24-year-old former Congressional Fellow is managing director of the nonprofit Cactus Jack Foundation. Founded by Webster’s brother, hip-hop artist Travis Scott, the organization seeks to expand educational opportunities for young people regardless of socioeconomic status. Webster, who will graduate from Howard University in 2022, leads the foundation’s broad educational efforts and spearheads the Waymon Webster Scholarship Fund, named for his brother’s late grandfather, Waymon T. Webster, who was dean of the Prairie View A&M University Graduate School. In 2022, the Waymon Webster Scholarship awarded $1 million in scholarships to 100 graduating seniors from 38 Historically Black Colleges and Universities to alleviate financial hardship for students in their final semester. “It means the world to me to be able to work alongside my brother, who is creating hope and making a real difference for his peers and their families,” Webster said in a statement.
As the visionary behind Charette Cosmetics, Charette has an eye for detail, a dedication to inclusivity in beauty, and a passion for quality. These traits have elevated his brand in the luxury cosmetics industry. An aspiring entrepreneur, Charette has used his extensive experience as a medical aesthetician and beauty practitioner to fine-tune the products and treatments offered at his Charette Cosmetics medical spas in Atlanta, Dallas, and Miami. Charette’s foresight and adaptability have allowed the brand to set a new standard in the ever-evolving beauty industry, with a focus on inclusivity by creating products that benefit all skin types. “I want to help people feel more beautiful, comfortable, and confident in their own skin,” he says. “Having treatments available to everyone is the first step.” And others are starting to take notice. Some of Charette’s key products have been featured on Bravo and Women’s Health and Newsweek.
Zappia, a teenager in Southern California, began noticing an increase in homelessness several years ago. It was something she couldn’t shake. Zappia was troubled by the lack of information about homelessness and the stigma surrounding drug addiction and mental illness, two issues that are common in homeless communities. So in 2022, at the age of 14, she ignited her interest in entrepreneurship and innovation and founded Project WHY (short for “We Hear You”). “I feel like there’s a lack of empathy in society. [toward] “We’ve been dealing with homelessness for a long time,” she says. “Now is the time for real change.” As the nonprofit’s CEO, she partners with various organizations to interview their “houseless neighbors” and share their stories, which she publishes on the Project WHY website. “I realized that to really understand individuals experiencing homelessness and the overall experience of homelessness, we need to learn from the people who are experiencing it,” she says.
Crowson has spent more than half her life modelling for major fashion brands such as Versace, Gucci and Jean Paul Gaultier. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Now, the aspiring entrepreneur is taking her vast experience and applying it to her role as co-owner and creative director of Los Angeles-based boutique modeling agency, Margaux. In a way, this is a full-circle moment for Crowson, who began modeling at age 13. She’s tapping into her own extensive network to give Margaux’s models the support and reassurance they’ve craved from the agency she’s worked with throughout her illustrious career. As creative director, she supports talent from a variety of backgrounds, from age and body type to culture and gender.
This article was originally published on July/August 2024 issue of success magazine. Photo by Amanda Tromp.
