Last week, I spoke at Yeshiva of Flatbush in front of a packed room of high school students. Most of them were my age, or even younger. And to be honest, public speaking isn’t something I ever imagined myself doing. I run a business club in my school where I bring in speakers. So being invited to speak at another school … it felt surreal. This time, I wasn’t organizing — I was the one behind the mic.

Speaking to people your age hits differently. I wasn’t there to give a perfect TED Talk. I was there to be real. To talk about what it’s like to start something while you’re still in high school, when you’re still figuring life out, still juggling school, friends, responsibilities, and everything else. More than anything, I wanted to show that you don’t need to wait until you’re older or more “qualified” to start building something meaningful. Starting young doesn’t mean waiting for the “perfect time.” It means using what you have right now.

I shared my own story: how I started multiple businesses while still in high school. Not because I had investors or crazy connections. I just had the drive, the willingness to try, and the mindset to keep showing up. I spoke about the importance of consistency over perfection. About how I block time on my calendar, how I schedule meetings and jobs like they’re class assignments, and how that small level of organization makes a big difference. That may sound boring, but discipline is what gives you freedom.

Another big theme I spoke about was balance. Being in business doesn’t mean sacrificing everything else. In fact, keeping my priorities straight, especially with religion, has kept me grounded. Shabbos resets me. Davening gives my day structure. I explained how, instead of those things holding me back, they’ve actually helped push me forward. It’s about using your values as your foundation, not something that competes with your goals.

Of course, we also got into challenges. I was honest with them: it’s not always smooth. People will question you. You’ll question yourself. You’ll fail. But I also told them something I’ve learned firsthand: every failure is part of the process. The goal isn’t to avoid mistakes — it’s to learn fast and keep moving. That mindset shift is everything.

What stood out to me the most during the talk was the energy in the room. No one was forced to be there; they chose to come. And that already tells you something. This generation isn’t lazy or unmotivated like people love to say. We just need real opportunities, real guidance and the space to figure it out. That’s why I said “yes” to speaking, even though it made me uncomfortable. If just one person left that room feeling more confident to take their first step, it was all worth it.

A huge thank you to Eden Amram, who invited me to speak and made the entire event possible. Eden is the president of Flatbush’s Finance Club, the one that brings in speakers to inspire students, and she does it with heart, consistency and real passion. None of this would’ve happened without her. I’m grateful that Eden cares so deeply about our generation and about helping her peers grow. That kind of leadership deserves to be noticed.

And thank you to Yeshiva of Flatbush for hosting me and for creating a culture that encourages growth beyond the classroom. It’s clear Flatbush invests in its students’ future, not just in grades or academics, but in mindset, ambition and values.

If I’ve learned anything from this experience, it’s that you don’t need to have everything figured out to make an impact. You don’t need to wait until you feel ready. You just need to start. And you need to be willing to get uncomfortable. That’s where the growth happens. That’s where confidence is built.

So if you’re reading this and you’ve been sitting on an idea, waiting for the right time, consider this your sign. The only thing stopping you … is you.

I’m a high school senior who’s built multiple businesses from the ground up, and I run my school’s business club where we bring in weekly speakers to motivate and educate other students. I’m passionate about showing teens that you don’t need to wait to get started. My goal is to help more people in our generation take action, build confidence, and chase success early, while staying grounded in faith, values and community. Feel free to reach out to me for anything at (201) 921-5935 or [email protected].