Planting the Seeds of Entrepreneurship with University of Michigan’s Ross Impact Studio

On Friday, February 27, in a packed classroom, Greenhills students were introduced to college-level entrepreneurship by Moses K. Lee, the Applebaum Innovator-in-Residence at the University of Michigan’s Ross Impact Studio. The workshop marked the beginning of a new initiative at Greenhills designed to help students develop their ideas and talents, whether artistic pursuits or the next great business concept, into real projects and ventures that can be shared with the world.

The idea for this initiative comes from Greenhills Fine and Performing Arts Department Chair and Art Teacher Liz Wilson. In addition to teaching art and photography, Wilson is an accomplished artist whose work has been displayed and sold in venues around the world.

“I want students to understand they can create sustainable lives by tapping into their creativity,” said Wilson. “A lot of kids and young adults don’t realize the power their ideas and artistry have—not just to generate income, but to better the world.”

In communications about this workshop, Wilson asked students to consider:

• How do creative people actually build sustainable lives?
• How do artists price their work or launch ideas?
• Can you make meaningful, creative work and still be financially secure?
• What does it really take to turn an idea into something real?
• What are the honest failures and lessons along the way?

With these questions in mind, more than 20 students gathered for an interactive workshop led by Lee that explored the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Students considered the difference between a hobby and a business, learned about the principles of human-centered design, and worked in small groups to develop ideas addressing real-world scenarios.

“There’s nothing more gratifying than helping young people achieve their goals,” said Lee. “The first step is helping students recognize that their ideas can be powerful. From there, it’s about helping them take action on the ones that become passions. I hope this planted that seed for some students, and that it’s just the beginning of a relationship we can grow with the Greenhills community.”

In addition to learning from Lee, students also heard from two entrepreneurs, including current Greenhills freshman Josh Lee. When he’s not playing sports or keeping up with schoolwork, Josh is building the custom footwear and apparel brand he founded in 2024, called 1of1, which encourages people to proudly be their authentic selves. He shared what inspired him to start the business, the early successes he has experienced, and where he hopes to take the brand in the future.

Students also heard from Yasmine Mansi, founder of the nonprofit organization The SunBundle, which delivers athletic footwear care packages to underserved communities to inspire movement, health, and confidence. Mansi shared her journey from a University of Michigan track and field athlete to the leader of a nonprofit startup. Her idea began when she witnessed disparities in access to athletic gear while competing in Egypt. Recognizing an opportunity, she began collecting and upcycling athletic shoes donated by college athletes. Today, The SunBundle has redistributed more than $120,000 worth of donated athletic gear to recreation centers, youth groups, and humanitarian relief organizations, and is helping increase athletic participation in schools and communities.

For students, one of the biggest takeaways was recognizing that nonprofit work can also be a form of entrepreneurship—one that allows people to do meaningful work while building a sustainable livelihood.

“We work hard to help our students learn who they are and become the best version of themselves,” said Wilson. “This is part of that. We want students not only to be creative, but to share that creativity with the world. And we need to give them the tools and resources to do it.”

Wilson already has plans for future collaborations with Lee and the University of Michigan’s Ross Impact Studio. Follow-up workshops are in the works, including roundtable discussions and opportunities for students to connect with other entrepreneurs.

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