Young entrepreneur shares tips for success
LIVONIA, MI (June 19, 2013) “If you don’t have a good reason to start a business, you won’t succeed,” said Sasha Popkov, an 8th grader at Livonia’s Clarenceville Middle School and a supervisor in the school’s student credit union sponsored by Co-op Services Credit Union. She is also an experienced entrepreneur who knows what she’s talking about.
Popkov revealed her reason for starting a business came after her mom Galina Popkov was diagnosed with breast cancer more than three years ago.
“At least four people close to me have been touched by cancer,” said Popkov. “My motivation was to raise money for cancer research.”
Popkov and her mom decided to combine their skills to create “Crafts 4 the Cure,” a business that makes and sells duct tape crafts including wallets, purses, flowers, glass cases, I.D. holders and many other items.
It’s clear that the younger Popkov is in charge though she has recruited her mom, grandmother and two brothers for production operations.
She knows firsthand that running a business is not easy and stressed that it takes a lot of effort and dedication. “It’s fun and cool--a lot of people my age don’t think about this,” said Popkov, adding that volunteering at the student credit union helped her sort out her money better and become more organized.
With the exception of purchasing materials for the business, all proceeds are donated to the American Cancer Society. Popkov currently serves on the committee team and survivorship recruitment committee for the Relay for Life of Ann Arbor.
“It’s very rewarding to watch someone like Sasha use her amazing drive and volunteer experience at our student credit union to start a business at such a young age,” said Jeremy Cybulski, youth and community development coordinator for Co-op Services Credit Union.
Popkov reported that Co-op Services was the only financial institution that would let her open a business checking account for her company.
In the fall, Popkov will attend Clarenceville High School and plans to continue her business “forever” or perhaps until she achieves her next goal which is to become an attorney.
To inquire about how to purchase Popkov’s duct tape crafts, email Crafts4Cure@earthlink.net.
Headquartered in Livonia, Co-op Services Credit Union has more than 50,000 members and maintains eight full-service branch offices in the Detroit metro area. Members also have access to more than 3,000 shared branches and 28,000 ATMs nationwide.