Tag Archives: Entrepreneurship

Women In Business: Conversation With A Female CEO

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On Wednesday afternoon we welcomed writer and Hamlin parent Diana Kapp, and Megan Grassell, Founder and CEO of the clothing company Yellowberry. Ms. Kapp is the author of the recently released book Girls Who Run The World: 31 CEOs Who Mean Business.

Part biography, part business how-to, and fully empowering, this book is the perfect gift for future entrepreneurs…because you’re never too young to dream BIG! With colorful portraits, fun interviews and DIY tips, Girls Who Run the World features the success stories of 31 leading ladies of companies like Rent the Runway, POPSUGAR, and SoulCycle.

Megan Grassell is one of the CEOs featured in Ms. Kapp’s book. Ms. Grassell (now 24 years old) launched her company Yellowberry while she was still in high school.

If no one else was going to make bras specifically for young girls, then I would find a way to do it myself. In the middle of my junior year of high school at 17, I founded Yellowberry.

Below are some of the key points from their conversation:

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5th Annual STEMming the Gender Gap Day

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For the 5th year running, The Hamlin School celebrated STEMming the Gender Gap Day on Friday, December 6. The day was an opportunity to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education/careers for our students, while connecting with female tech leaders in the Bay Area. Hamlin girls were able to observe, interact, and learn, as they prepare to be tomorrow’s tech innovators and help #StemGenderGap!

This year Hamlin visited a variety of fantastic Bay Area organizations; we are incredibly thankful for these partnerships.

Students in grades K-7 had wonderful learning experiences at:

The Hiller Aviation Museum, The Bay Area Discovery Museum, Mission Science, The Apple Store, Butterfly Joint, Salesforce, UCSF, USS Hornet, Tesla, Sentry, and JU.ST

Students in Grade 8 had the opportunity to learn from the following speakers on campus:

Charlotte Gould Speaks about Kindness and Doll Making

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On Monday, Charlotte Gould spoke with Hamlin lower and middle students about her altruistic work making dolls for hospitalized children experiencing surgeries. Charlotte also shared an acronym that she lives by: SEW (Smile, Eye Contact, Welcome). Embracing SEW has opened her to friendships and profound connections with people from all over the world.

At a 20-week ultrasound, Charlotte was diagnosed with a cleft lip & palate — the most common facial birth defect in the United States, affecting every 1 in 700 babies.  She had several surgeries and procedures, including two before her first birthday.  Doctor visits, planned surgeries, unexpected procedures, and ongoing treatment filled Charlotte’s childhood– along with laughter, dolls, joy and lots of smiles!

Charlotte states: “I was born with a cleft lip and palate.  I’ve had several surgeries on my lip, nose, mouth and gums to create the smile you see today.  My smile has changed my life, and I want to help other children smile too, especially kids needing surgeries. I know surgeries can be scary, but hugs from family, smiles from friends, and something soft to snuggle can really help.  I founded Stitches by Charlotte to support other kids just like me.  The purpose of my new surgery companion doll line is to turn scary times into smiles for children facing surgery everywhere!”

​​Charlotte sewed her first doll to look just like her– long brown braids, glasses, and a sweet smile with a tiny scar.  She received so much positive feedback for making a doll that was perfectly “imperfect.”  Charlotte began to discover a passion for making dolls with differences. From a doll with a scar across her chest for the tiniest heart warrior, to a doll with a crown of stitches for a brain-surgery sweetie– Charlotte happily sews to make others smile.  Requests poured in from people who believe Charlotte’s little dolls can make a big difference.

Charlotte and her dolls have been featured in American Girl magazine & Scholastic News, on Good Morning America, Fox News’ The Five, Disney Radio, and honored at WE Day 2018. Charlotte finds SEW much joy in helping others.

We are honored that Charlotte donated three of her dolls to The Hamlin School.

To learn more please visit: http://www.stitchesbycharlotte.com/

CEO Amy Errett Speaks at Hamlin

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Wednesday afternoon Amy Errett spoke with students in Grade 7 about her life in business, and about the importance of giving back to others.

Amy’s multifaceted career has ranged from founding and operating companies, to investing in startups, to volunteer nonprofit leadership. Currently, Amy is founder and CEO of Madison Reed, an omnichannel beauty brand that is challenging industry titans in the hair color space. She is also a Venture Partner at True Ventures, focusing on investments in consumer and e-commerce startups.

In 2015 and 2018, Amy was named one of the “Bay Area’s Most Influential Women in Business” by the San Francisco Business Times. She was also a finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2018 Award in the Northern California region, which she won in 2006 for the consumer category. 

Amy believes in the power of giving back and dedicates herself to supporting humanitarian organizations. Amy is a member of San Francisco’s Barbary Coast chapter of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), and serves on the boards of the University of Connecticut Foundation, Common Sense Media, Glide, and Madison Reed.

Ms. Errett shared the following (among other points):

-That it is important to do things that are going to help the world

-That people with privilege have a responsibility to give back

-That she wanted to create a company that didn’t use harsh chemicals, used eco-friendly packaging, and didn’t retouch images of women

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Hamlin Student Ventures: Entrepreneurship in Action

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Through our new Student Ventures Program, middle school girls will be able to sell their own creative products at this year’s Winterfest in December. Winterfest is Hamlin’s much-anticipated, magically festive annual event to celebrate community. Led by Grade 7 student Maddy (with parent and administrative support), the Hamlin Student Ventures Program will provide guidance for budding girl entrepreneurs this autumn.

What is the purpose of this program?

-To create and develop a product
-To market and sell this product at Winterfest
-To learn about entrepreneurship
-To give back to Hamlin
-To earn a profit

How does the Student Ventures Program work?

-Interested students will fill out an application
-Students may apply as individuals or in groups (groups are encouraged)
-All participants must have a sponsoring adult (parent or guardian)
-Participants will complete a business plan
-Students will have the opportunity to meet with Hamlin parent entrepreneurs to receive feedback and support
-All participants will have selling space at the Winterfest marketplace

Maddy shares:

I’m most excited about what students are going to learn from the parent entrepreneur mentors, it will be a great experience.