Troy Middle School Entrepreneur Receives Angel Investment Award

Photo: Troy Middle School 8th grader Brielle Phillips was given an Angel Investor Award by the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry for her business, ClayCatShop, which she promoted through the Troy Entrepreneur Club.

Here, from left, Lewis University Director of School Partnerships Larry Wiers; Troy Middle School Principal Renee Marski; Troy Entrepreneur Club Co-sponsor Christopher Giugler; Brielle’s parents Birgit and Mike Phillips; Troy Entrepreneur Club Co-sponsor Ann Provencher; Martin Whalen Education Consultant John Benjamin; Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce Education Committee member and Troy School District 30-C School Board President Mark Griglione and Troy Superintendent Dr. Todd Koehl.

Eighth-grader Brielle Phillips was surprised during her Troy Middle School lunch period recently when Principal Renee Marski announced that one student in the large cafeteria was about to receive an award. Lewis University Director of School Partnerships Larry Wiers then announced Brielle’s name and that she had been chosen by an “angel investor” to receive an award and an investment donation to the school’s Entrepreneur Club for her business, ClayCatShop.

The secret investor saw her business presentation at the Entrepreneur Expo held at the University of St. Francis in Joliet and felt it was good enough to invest in. Wiers said the investor noted that Brielle is a “very creative artist” with a professional business and a go-to-market strategy. Her angel called her exhibition, “the best presentation of the entire evening,” Wiers said.

In her business, Brielle makes tiny figurines and charms that buyers can make into jewelry and other products. She was a little taken aback to learn she had an angel investor.

“I was very surprised,” she said, “because I saw a lot of other good companies at the expo.”

Troy Superintendent Dr. Todd Koehl said the district is very proud of its young entrepreneur.

Mark Griglione, of the Joliet Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Education Committee, said the chamber has several programs that promote education, such as the Hawk Scholarship Fund, Joliet Partners in Education, the Great Teacher Awards, the Top Student Banquet, and the New Educators Breakfast.

“We are one of the few chambers in the state of Illinois that has these programs for students and teachers,” Griglione said.

The club’s co-sponsors, Christopher Giugler and Ann Provencher, said they were happy to see Brielle receive the award.

“From the start,” Giugler said, “Brielle had a strong concept that she brought to life through hard work and determination. Not only did she have an idea, but she actually creates and sells her charms on Etsy, proving her drive as an entrepreneur.”

“Brielle has been a dedicated, hard-working member of the Entrepreneur Club for a few years now,” Provencher said. “Her creativity and attention to detail have always been her strong suit.”

Martin Whalen Education Consultant John Benjamin was the sponsor of the angel investor award presentation. Troy Middle School is a Troy Community School District 30-C school.