Did you know that November 16th-22nd is Global Entrepreneurship Week?

Started just last year, the event is marked around the world by events designed to inspire youth entrepreneurship and connect hopeful young business owners with successful mentors. More information can be found on the official website, but watch the video for some inspiring examples of entrepreneurs making a difference in the global economy – nothing beats that plastic recycling guy…

Christine Marchuska, Founder of C. Marchuska

Looking for a sexy new look that won’t break the bank or the environment? Christine Marchuska, Founder of eco-friendly fashion line c. marchuska, along with business partner Brooke Bresnan, may have just the combination you’re looking for.

Born and raised in upstate New York, Christine received her undergraduate degree from Cornell and went on to pursue a career in finance working in New York City for Morgan Stanley.  Successful, but unfulfilled, Christine began looking for a way to put her love of fashion to work and delved deeply into sewing and fashion classes based in and around New York’s garment district. When Wall Street layoffs made the rounds in 2008, Christine fell back on her new-found knowledge, and eco-friendly fashion line c. marchuska was born.

With the addition of a professional fashion designer along the way, as well as business partner Brooke, the c. marchuska line continues to focus on sustainability (primarily using bamboo fabrics sourced domestically), urban design, a moderate price-point, and giving back through charitable contributions.

And in case you’re wondering what c. marchuska’s hand-dyed scarves can do for your love life, just take a look at their advertisement…

(yes, you’re going to buy one after watching)

1.  Give us a brief description of your line and how it stands apart from other eco-friendly fashion.

c. marchuska is an eco-friendly clothing line by Christine Marchuska and Brooke Bresnan, which provides chic and sustainable clothing at affordable prices. Manufactured in New York City, the clothing is designed to embody versatility throughout different trends and seasons in order to stay true to the sustainable fashion mantra of producing less waste. The sophisticated clothing with green benefits is a perfect match for the socially conscious woman who doesn’t want to sacrifice style, price, or comfort to help save the planet.

2.  Fashion design and finance are dramatically different career paths. What appeal does each of them have for you?

Finance and fashion are dramatically different, but are both actually also very much the same in the sense that both industries are constantly changing.  Thus, both provide for a challenging environment that keeps us continually learning and trying to adapt to evolving consumer or financial markets.

3.  Have you ever felt held back because you don’t have a traditional fashion background?

Well, Brooke actually started out in the creative/design world when she was younger.  I have also always had a passion for drawing and art.  However, when it comes to design, we knew we needed to utilize true fashion designers who could translate our vision into a reality.  We always come up with ideas and the looks we want to capture, but then rely on our design team to make our vision come to life.

4.  What method of approaching retailers has been most successful in terms of convincing them to carry your line?

I think the best method has been Brooke and I contacting stores on our own.  A close mentor and friend of ours once told us – no one is going to be able to sell your clothes the way you can, because it is your line and you know it inside and out.  Although we are looking for new showrooms for representation for upcoming seasons, we still like to hit the pavement and knock on doors ourselves.  It is all part of having a line that we really believe in.

5.  You decided to go back to a “real job” while continuing to work on your business. How have your co-workers reacted?

I did go back, while Brooke is 100% focused on the business.  My co-workers admire and support what I am trying to do.  I give 110% to both my day job and my business, which does not make for much of a social life, but it is what I have to do right now.  I grew up watching my parents constantly work between their day jobs and businesses so this really is the norm for me.

6.  You described your family as being very entrepreneurial. Was it always in the back of your mind to start a business?

From the age of 5, I was always starting businesses with my older brother, Justin.  We admired our parents and wanted to imitate them.  So, I guess it wasn’t that much of a shock that I would eventually start my own business when the right opportunity and business partner came along.

7.  Describe the person who would best complement both your life and your business.

Well, I would say he would have to be understanding in terms of how stressful it can be to be an entrepreneur.  Generally I am drawn to people who are supportive and can de-stress me when need be, ultimately letting me know that everything is going to be okay in terms of business and life.

8.  Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I see Brooke and I ruling the world   (joking)  I see Brooke and I having a global business where we are able to give a large percentage of proceeds back to all of the organizations we believe in.

Christine’s Bio:

Christine Marchuska was born and raised in upstate New York. After graduating from Cornell University, Christine moved to Manhattan to pursue a career in finance. In April 2008 the credit markets took a turn for the worst and restructuring on Wall Street was inevitable. It was time for a change and Christine focused in on her entrepreneurial roots.

By November 2008, cmarchuska was born and now Christine’s time is spent scouring through the garment district comparing buttons and fabric blends. Christine’s career as a financial analyst has prepared her for the challenges of developing a new line, but it is her passion for fashion that makes cmarchuska an exciting newcomer in 2009!

Want to connect with Christine? Follow her on Twitter and Facebook!

Adam Nguyen, CEO of Ivy Link

In high school, Adam Nguyen never toured an Ivy League campus. In fact, he never toured any college campus. Students in his Texas town were not actively recruited by top schools, and Adam applied only to the few schools who sent him catalogs in the mail. A friend with an extra college application urged Adam to apply to at least one more school. Now the CEO of New York-based Ivy Link, an education company which serves as a “link” to the Ivy League, Adam took his friend’s advice and mailed in that application. Not that he had ever heard of a school called “Columbia”.

What started as a chance encounter with the Ivy League become a life-long passion for Adam, not only for quality higher education, but for universal access to it. After graduating from Columbia, he worked at the Department of Justice for a year before entering Harvard Law School. A high-paying corporate law job in Mergers and Acquisitions followed, but a sense of personal satisfaction was missing, which led to the founding of Ivy Link. Operating under the principle of “profit with a purpose” Ivy Link offers high-end tutoring and admissions counseling to those students and parents who can afford it, and the same services free or at low-cost to motivated, academically-gifted students who can’t. Still practicing law on the side (with a fondness for counseling startups), Adam has shifted his career focus to the social impact possible when access to higher education is open.

In his spare time, you might find Adam painting, playing the piano, surfing, scuba diving, or taking his annual international birthday adventure trip with friends. I’m guessing they’re probably more fun than those college tours anyway.

1. Have you ever lost a promising student because of differences with their parents?

Luckily, that has never happened to us.  We take great care to understand the interests and objectives of both students and parents, and in instances where they diverged, we have managed to bridge the gap and accommodate both students and parents without sacrificing the quality of our services.  Parents have been uniformly pleased by our focus on each student’s success.

2. What would you change about the current American educational system?

From my experience working with students, many coming back to school after the summer break (or even a long winter or spring break) tend to experience a “summer slide” – meaning that like athletes out of training, they suffer a loss of knowledge from a lack of mental stimulation.  Broadly speaking, I think that our students would benefit from more time in the classroom, which would require a combination of extending the school day or academic year, a dramatic increase in investment and funding, and an enormous amount of political will and public support.  Alternatively, students should engage in some sort of academic or mentally stimulating pursuits during their break in order to prevent an atrophy of the mind.

3. Through all the years competing in Ivy League schools, and then working in a large practice, you seem to have remained unusually well-rounded. How did you do it?

I think it’s a combination of three things that has helped with remaining well-rounded: a natural curiosity of the world around me, a desire for active pursuits and an appreciation for balance in my life.  I enjoy meeting new people and seeking out novel ideas and opportunities, all of which expose me to valuable perspectives and allow me to develop new interests.  I am also a very active person who needs to be engaged in a variety of endeavors.  At the same time, I strive to maintain a healthy balance among work, civic responsibilities, hobbies, and friends and family.

4. Do you ever miss the prestige (and paycheck) associated with working in corporate law?

Prestige and a hefty paycheck are undoubtedly nice perks of the corporate world, but at this stage in my life, I derive tremendous satisfaction from the independence and creative process that come from running my own business.  Being able to chart my own path has been a great experience.

5. What role does the creation of art play in your life?

I am naturally a left-brain, logical type, so I pursue art not only to relax but also to develop my creative side.  I have found that the process of creating art and starting a business to be remarkably similar.  Both are creative endeavors that allow you to see different perspectives and appreciate different approaches and ideas.  Filling a blank canvas, like building a business from the bottom up, is one of the most challenging and creative processes that I have ever undertaken.

6. Where are you going next year for your birthday?

I generally prefer a historically significant destination that is also conducive to active pursuits.  I would love to assemble a motley crew of close friends and family members to join me on a tour of Jerusalem and Petra, followed by an excursion to the Red Sea for scuba diving.

7. Describe the person who would best complement both your life and your business.

That person would be someone who is intelligent and loyal, has a big heart and a bigger sense of humor, and shares my passion for pursuing a purposeful life and my interests in entrepreneurship and making a social impact through innovative means.  We would help each other keep things in perspective and laugh through the inevitable ups and downs in life and business.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully, in 10 years (or perhaps much earlier than that) my company will have a global presence so that we can make a meaningful social impact in education throughout the world.  I see education as a means of bringing together people from different backgrounds, seeing complex issues and problems from fresh perspectives, and ultimately, achieving meaningful progress.  I plan on being actively involved in education, while pursuing other social entrepreneurial opportunities.

Adam’s Bio
Adam is the President & CEO of Ivy Link, an education company staffed by a select team of Ivy League-educated instructors and advisors who provide one-on-one admissions advising and standardized test preparation to candidates seeking acceptance to colleges, business schools and law schools, as well as academic coaching to students in grades K-12.  Ivy Link is known for its innovative approach, including its “smart-pricing” model, the Ivy Link Method and the Ivy Link Network.  As a social entrepreneur, Adam operates the company under a “profit-for-purpose” principle with the aim of making a social impact in education through need-based scholarships and community outreach.
Prior to founding Ivy Link, Adam held business and legal positions in investment management companies and corporate law firms.  His experience also includes work at government agencies and non-profit entities.  Adam graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Economics and Political Science, and he received his law degree from Harvard Law School.  He enjoys skiing, scuba diving, painting and living in New York City.

Want to connect with Adam? Follow him on Facebook and Twitter!