Program Overview
Where Innovation, Education and Collaboration Converge
AMBITION is a nonprofit entrepreneurial program for disadvantaged youth. Its mission is to reframe their potential and to provide students with the support, access and resources necessary to reach their goals.
Concerned that disadvantaged students lack consistent mentorship and exposure to real-world business experience, Nancy Gale, JAMAH luxury handbag brand designer/owner, founded AMBITION in 2010 in an effort to integrate cause and commerce, whereby the success of JAMAH provides the bandwidth to support AMBITION.
AMBITION fosters innovation, solution-driven thinking, confidence and professional work ethic. Collaborative, hands-on participation and powerful, consistent connections with business leaders and special guests are at the heart of this mentor-driven program.
High school students are exposed to numerous aspects of running a business including strategic planning, project management, conflict resolution, time management, research, consumer demographics, product development, marketing and branding. The AMBITION students cultivate a strong work ethic through teamwork, respectful and healthy competition, interpersonal skills, self-discipline, accountability and compromise. Through a multitude of problem-solving endeavors, the AMBITION journey validates that with determination, self-discipline and hard work, one can live a life without limitations.
AMBITION’s signature exercise YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME encourages students to own their lived experience and embrace #PowerNotPity. When we tackle our problems with a strong voice and a focused trajectory, they are no longer burdens to be pitied, but tools we can use to empower ourselves. This exercise sets a solid foundation for an entrepreneurial curriculum that instills the confidence students will need for future success.
Grounded in entrepreneurship, AMBITION's curriculum centers on providing in-depth exposure to numerous aspects of running a business, including strategic planning, project management, conflict resolution, time management, research, consumer demographics, product development, marketing and branding. Students put these lessons into practice through AMBITION’s e-commerce component, The Ultimate Tease (TUT). In addition to scholarships & brand ambassadorships, TUT awards internships in Marketing & Operations to three to five students annually based on successful resume submission, application process and interview(s).
Collaborative in-class work is supplemented by workshops with expert mentors and visits from high profile, inspirational guest speakers. In addition to scholarships & brand ambassadorships, TUT also awards internships in Marketing & Operations to three to five students each summer, based on successful resume submission, application process and interview(s).
AMBITION is based out of Los Angeles, California. Since its inception, the program has gained high profile attention from coveted guests and mentors including Sir Richard Branson, founder of THE VIRGIN GROUP, Carter Reum, founder of M13 COMPANY, Steve Schimmel, a founding business team member and 13th employee at GOOGLE, Aaron Walton, founder of WALTON ISAACSON, Toni Ko, founder of NYX COSMETICS and BESPOKE BEAUTY BRANDS, Jane Wurwand, founder of DERMALOGICA and THE INTERNATIONAL DERMAL INSTITUTE.
AMBITION is committed to encouraging businesses to serve as a training ground for today’s youth and join our ultimate mission of integrating cause and commerce.
Together with our mentors and partners, AMBITION is able to bring to life a much-needed resource for building better futures in our community.
AMBITION is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
One Student at a Time • One Week at a Time • One Year at a Time • One Opportunity at a Time • One Mentor at a Time • One Leader at a Time
Nancy Gale
Founder