Farmington Hills Student's Business Raises Funds for Cancer Research

“If you don’t have a good reason to start a business, you won’t succeed,” said Sasha Popkov, an 8th grader at Livonia’s Clarenceville Middle School and a supervisor in the school’s student credit union sponsored by Co-op Services Credit Union.

She is also an experienced entrepreneur who knows what she’s talking about. Sasha said she started a business came after her mom Galina Popkov was diagnosed with breast cancer more than three years ago.

“At least four people close to me have been touched by cancer,” she said. “My motivation was to raise money for cancer research.”

Sasha and her mom decided to combine their skills to create “Crafts 4 the Cure,” a business that makes and sells duct tape crafts including wallets, purses, flowers, glass cases, I.D. holders and many other items. It’s clear that the younger Popkov is in charge, though she has recruited her  mom, grandmother and two brothers for production operations.  She knows firsthand that running a business is not easy and stressed that it takes a lot of effort and dedication.  

“It’s fun and cool–a lot of people my age don’t think about this,” said Sasha, adding that volunteering at the student credit union helped her sort out her money better and become more organized.

Sasha currently serves on the committee team and survivorship recruitment committee for the Relay for Life of Ann Arbor.  

“It’s very rewarding to watch someone like Sasha use her amazing drive and volunteer experience at our student credit union to start a business at such a young age,” said Jeremy Cybulski, youth and community development coordinator for Co-op Services Credit Union.

asha said that Co-op Services was the only financial institution that would let her open a business checking account for her company. In the fall, she will attend Clarenceville High School and plans to continue her business “forever” or perhaps until she achieves her next goal, which is to become an attorney. To learn more about her business and products, write to Crafts4Cure@earthlink.net.

Source: Co-op Services Credit Union press release