The Entrepreneur Club

InMay of 2022, two Tamalpais High School seniors, Ben Kraaijvanger and Luke Bulger, founded the Entrepreneur Club. The club meets on Thursdays every few weeks and strives to teach budding entrepreneurs about the intricacies of starting a business and what it takes to be your own boss.

“What we wanted to do was create a place at Tam where people who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs can learn and grow that interest,” Kraaijvanger said.

“Yeah,” added Bulger, “and I don’t think that’s ever been done before. I’ve seen finance and investment clubs and stuff, but never a club for people who want to be their own boss.”

Both Kraaijvanger and Bulger have entrepreneurship in their blood. Kraaijvanger’s mother, Grace Kraaijvanger, founded and is the CEO of the Hivery, a local digital community and inspiration lab. Bulger’s father, Chris Bulger, has founded and runs

By Gabe Schwartzman

multiple successful sports camps across California.

It is no surprise that both Kraaijvanger and Bulger have a passion for entrepreneurship and wish to pursue it in the future.

“My mom has definitely inspired me to become an entrepreneur,” Kraaijvanger said. “Watching her start all of her businesses has shown me that this [entrepreneurship] is a real job that can make real money.”

With over 30 members, the Entrepreneur Club at Tam offers presentations by the two presidents along with frequent guest speakers. These guest speakers include local entrepreneurs who have made a name for themselves in the world of business and have the knowledge to share.

So far, the club has heard presentations from Helen Russell, founder of Equator Coffee, Warren Gendell, founder of Club Evexia, and Grace Kraaijvanger.

“The Entrepreneur Club draws in crowds of students when they hold guest speakers, as it is a fantastic privilege,” said Kraaijvanger and Bulger, to be able to hear firsthand stories from people who followed their dream of becoming an entrepreneur, and succeeded. The speakers also provide a chance for students to ask questions, which is very popular amongst eager club members.

“I think people love the speakers because it shows that it’s possible to make it as an entrepreneur … if you work hard enough,” Bulger said.

Kraaijvanger and Bulger are both applying to business programs for their higher education, with Michigan being their first choice. They hope that since they started the Entrepreneur Club, they have been able to pass on their passion and knowledge to their peers at Tam High. Follow @tamentrepreneurs on Instagram for information on future meetings. ♦ MAY