When Butler Tech’s female student entrepreneurs asked for more opportunities to connect with women succeeding in the careers they hope to pursue, their feedback inspired Built by Her, an event designed to help students see what’s possible for their own futures.
Held at D. Russel Lee, the event brought together students from programs including Business, Manufacturing Technology, Digital Media, Theater, Visual Art & Design, Recording Arts, Graphic Design and the 10th Grade Academy.
Students learned from three local entrepreneurs: Heather Hollstegge, owner of Hollstegge Electric; Andrea Kugler, Realtor with Bowling & Kugler Realty and team owner of AK Collective; and Cass Ruhlman, owner of Antiquity Teahouse.
Through an interactive panel discussion, the women shared their experiences building careers and businesses, including challenges, mistakes and lessons learned along the way. Students asked questions and explored how persistence, confidence and professional connections can open doors.
Students also practiced professional handshakes, introductions and elevator pitches with Butler Tech district leadership. A hands-on tea-blending experience with Cass Ruhlman gave students the opportunity to explore creativity and entrepreneurship in action. The morning concluded with lunch and small-group conversations with the entrepreneurs and fellow students.
For event organizer Jana Davis, Entrepreneurship Center Aid, the inspiration came directly from students.
“Built By Her was created from feedback from our female student entrepreneurs. They desired more opportunities to see themselves reflected in the fields they’re interested in and connect with women leading in those spaces.”
Student feedback collected in an anonymous survey afterward reflected the impact of those connections.
“That even in a male dominated industry there is proof that a woman can make it,” one student shared.
Another student reflected on an important lesson: “There will always be a mistake, and it’s okay to make mistakes. But never give up and learn from your mistakes to grow even more.”
And one student’s takeaway summed up the spirit of the event: “Don’t wait for the opportunity, make the opportunity.”
All eight students who completed the follow-up survey said they would attend another event like Built by Her.
Photos by Lamar Hill, Butler Tech Digital Media student.
