Tuesday night, some 100 members of the Crown Heights community gathered in Nosson’s Shul for the second meeting of the Crown Heights Young Entrepreneurs (CHYE) program. The evening’s theme, ‘Start It Up,’ focused on encouraging a startup ethic in Crown Heights Youth. Attendees were able to network with experienced businessmen and share ideas while enjoying catered food.
The highlight of the evening was an address by Zalmi Duchman, CEO and founder of The Fresh Diet, recently named by Forbes as the 14th most promising company in the country. Duchman spoke to the crowd about his own personal foray into the world of startups at a young age. By stressing that would-be entrepreneurs transform their “ideas and passions” into a plan, Duchman hopes to see a fruitful future for the many young entrepreneurs who attended.
Yossi Apflebaum, CEO and Co-Founder of Ajax Union, an online marketing company, was impressed by the event. “Who you know and the relationships you establish can be essential to progressing in the business world,” Apflebaum said. “This initiative presents an amazing opportunity for members of our community to network with each other taking their projects and visions to the next level.”
After a Q & A session with Duchman, attendees networked with a group of 14 businessmen from the community who shared their own unique experiences and advice.
Nancy Carin, Executive Director of BOC Network, a microenterprise and small business development organization, was equally impressed with the evening, especially the “focused energy” in the room. “You can see how much work people in this community are putting into their businesses,” notes Carin.
As the evening drew to a close, participants left with the contacts and inspiration needed to pursue their goals. According to J.J. Hellinger, one of the CHYE attendees, the idea of starting his own business “has taken its first steps from a dream to a reality.”
CHYE is a project of Rabbi Yehoshua Werde and was launched with the goal of empowering the young professionals of Crown Heights with entrepreneurial excellence as they take their visions to the next level.
Additional information can be found at http://CHYE.info. Continue the conversation on Facebook!
don’t wast your time with university and degrees, go into business and become a real baal tzedakah, bigger than the salaried by the hour professional with middle income
go yossi! lookin good! make $!
The jewish star winners should be thankful you didnt join the contest this year.
Yehoshua and Devorah Leah! your so amazing! we wish you so much Hatzlacha in everything you do!
– Your family in Portland OR!
Zalmi you are an inspiration, so proud of you 🙂
nosson’s shul looks really nice. i hear they now have morning minyanim.
Can we get your email please??
why they closed the kosher line.???????
go zalmi u rock the house man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THis is great!
Boruch Hashem!
Awesome man.
WOMEN SECTION NEEDED!
yossi polter is the most successful guy in the room
What a great idea. To inspire and share business acumen with our community gets a major Yasher Koach. Wow! This is truly inspiring.
We are currently working on a womans division. Please stay tuned for details. If you would like to get involved please contact me. Thank You! – Rabbi Werde