About

What’s the most valuable non-business-oriented lesson you’ve learned about yourself from your business journey so far? In moments where you may have felt like giving up, what motivated you to keep going? What have you learned from this experience? What would be one piece of advice you’d give to someone 15+ wanting to start a business of their own? What about for women, specifically?

These questions and more will be explored in my free workshop series, “The Future of Women in Business.” My name is Sammie Pinchuk, I’m a senior at The Birch Wathen Lenox School.

At my workshop, high-school-aged girls will discuss leadership, confidence, and life lessons with young female business leaders. The workshop will also include activities to build public speaking, business pitching, professionalism, and more. For example, attendees will have time to prepare an elevator pitch for a product or service, and will receive feedback in the hopes of strengthening the above skills.

The main focus of the workshop will be how to succeed as a female entrepreneur, with lessons not only relating to business but also one’s entire life. I specifically want speakers to discuss their failures and the unglamorous aspects of owning a business and how that compares to the reality shown in the media.

I was inspired to create this workshop because, since I was young, I've experienced what it's like to be one of the only girls in a room full of boys. I've known what it's like to overcompensate for being a girl, whether it be at school, in extracurriculars, or during sports. When brainstorming ideas for a way to inspire and provide girls with examples of strong female leadership, which I felt was lacking when I was younger, I immediately thought of business leaders, partially due to my own passion for entrepreneurship and management.

I hope this workshop provides young girls with an encouraging and supportive atmosphere to help them learn that they can realize their dreams, even in the face of discrimination and sexism. I want attendees to leave feeling empowered and prepared for a future in business.