Teen Entrepreneurs Partner Empower Women with Women's Network

Los Angeles-based teen entrepreneurs Emily Matson and JuliAnne Goldmark, the duo behind Emi-Jay, Inc., announced their 2013 partnership with Step Up Women's Network. Founded in 2008, the luxe hair accessory company partners with Step Up Women's Network to encourage girls across the nation to fulfill their goals and unlock their ultimate career potential.

Step Up is a nonprofit organization of professional women igniting girls to fulfill their potential by creating and implementing impactful after-school and weekend programs that empower teen girls from under-resourced communities to be confident, college-bound, and career-ready.  Currently seniors in high school and running Emi-Jay Inc., with their mothers, Matson and Goldmark have chosen to sponsor the Step Up Women's Network Young Luminaries program, which focuses on college and career readiness for high school seniors.

Matson and Goldmark will continue Emi-Jay's dedication to social philanthropy by serving as mentors to the Step Up Young Luminaries, sharing learnings from running a successful company while navigating the everyday pressures of high school. Through the nine-month program's mentoring workshops, the teens work on college applications, discuss the transition to college life, hone in on their career aspirations and prepare for a paid summer internship.

"We have the unique experience of working with our mother's. We look up to them not just a daughter to a mother, but as successful businesswomen who always placed an emphasis on giving back. We see the Step Up Women's Network partnership as a platform to not only give back but as an opportunity to learn from other young, driven girls," says Matson and Goldmark.

"By supporting the Young Luminaries program, Emi-Jay Inc. is ensuring that Step Up teens have the opportunity to dream big and realize their business potential, just as Emily and Julianne have done," Step Up CEO Jenni Luke says. "By supporting Step Up with time, talent and treasure, Emi-Jay Inc. will afford 15 Step Up teens to experience their first paid internships this summer, thereby inspiring the next generation of business leaders."

The partnership kicks off January 2013.

Emi-Jay

Emi-Jay, Inc., was created by teenage entrepreneurs, Emily Matson and JuliAnne Goldmark. Matson and Goldmark were inspired by their passion for fashion and united in their desire to create quality, modern-day hair accessories. Sold in over 180 Nordstrom's stores and specialty retailers throughput North America, Emi-Jay believes everyone deserves a little luxury and comfort in their lives.

Step Up Women's Network

Step Up Women's Network is a nonprofit membership organization igniting women and girls to fulfill their potential. Step Up creates and implements impactful after-school and weekend programs that empower teen girls from under-resourced communities to be confident, college-bound, and career-ready; propels professional women through connections, collaborations, and continuous development; and inspires its network to invest in the future success of girls through mentorship and financial support. Connect at suwn.org.