She may not be an Olympian gymnast or have mad skills on the basketball court, but Gabrielle Jordan continues to raise the bar and change the game for young teens pursuing the path of entrepreneurship.
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She is the CEO of Gabrielle Jordan International, LLCÂ (www.GabrielleJordaInspires.com) and founder of Jewelz of Jordan, a Maryland-based jewelry company. She’s also the best-selling author of The Making of a Young Entrepreneur, designed to help others build a solid business foundation using the same principles that she used to launch her business at only 9-years-old. She’s an in-demand international speaker and even has her own TEDxTalk.
Gabrielle (@GabrielleIntl) views these accomplishments as only the beginning of her quest to leave a global impact in business, motivational speaking, and publishing. With several gold medals around her neck, she’s the youngest member of the Great Black Speakers Bureau and a multi-award recipient of the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Stiletto Women in Business and ALIVE Magazine. More recently, Jordan was selected for the first-ever 2014 McDonald’s 365 Black Community Choice Youth Award and—-drum roll please, the 2015 M.A.D. (Making A Difference) Girl award, Â where she was recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama at BET’s “Black Girls Rock Awards Show.”
BlackEnterprise.com: Most teens your age are searching for mentors. Can you tell us about your mentorship program, ExCEL?
Gabrielle: The ExCEL Youth Mentoring Institute was created by my mom and I, to inform youth and parents about entrepreneurship and leadership. ExCEL stands for Excellence Created through Entrepreneurship and Leadership, and that is exactly what we are doing. Within ExCEL, I have programs such as ExCEL with Gabrielle, a weekly video series where I give advice about being a young entrepreneur and a leader. Additionally, there’s The ExCEL Youth Mastermind, where I gather nine students, using an online application process, and teach them about the in-depth fundamentals of business over a period of six weeks.
You recently spoke at Syracuse University. What was that experience like, and what did you share with the students there?
It was my first time speaking at Syracuse University, so the opportunity to do something new was an exciting all by itself. The fact that the event sold out made it even more exciting. I spoke to people of many different ages, from middle school to college students to graduates. I shared the story of how I got started in my jewelry business, writing my book, and beginning a speaking career. Then I shared the main things I learned through my experiences, which got me to where I am today.
As an author, how has your book inspired others?
I have received testimonials from people sharing with me how my book has inspired them. From children to adults, I’ve heard how my book has inspired people to start, continue, and resume their business endeavors.
As a business owner, share briefly about your popular jewelry line?
Jewelz of Jordan features one-of-a-kind, limited-edition necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, which are designed and hand-crafted by myself with my staff. They are comprised of precious and semi-precious gemstones, Swarovski elements, and cultured pearls. What makes my jewelry pieces different is that it easily transitions from the boardroom to the ballroom, for the modern day professional woman on the go. My pieces look great with a power suit and with an elegant evening gown. Within Jewelz of Jordan, I have multiple different jewelry lines such as, Girlz by Jewelz of Jordan, a jewelry line for the modern girl entrepreneur/leader. I also have Bridez by Jewelz of Jordan, a line of modern and elegant bridal jewelry that can be made custom or chosen from our collection.
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