Rachel Benyola

MY GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Inventing the first and only modern helmet that is 70 percent foldable, stylishly customizable and twice as safe. Despite having no engineering background, I built the product and company by using my expertise in psychology and leadership development to understand my customer and attract the best talent for my team.

HOW DREXEL HELPED: The MBA course “New Venture Planning” taught me how to test out the viability of a new business idea quickly and affordably. This model helped me determine that the concept of a folding helmet was a scalable business. Less than two years later, I have a patent-pending innovation that is revolutionizing safety standards in several industries. In addition, winning second place in the Close School of Entrepreneurship’s Baiada Institute business plan and pitch competition provided good visibility as a new venture, as well as funding to help with prototyping and office space inside the Baiada incubator. These opportunities helped me to launch AnneeLondon on a bootstrapped budget, for which I am grateful.

MY HOPE FOR THE FUTURE: Recent studies have shown that Americans spend 95 percent of their time indoors. We need to invest in preventive health to improve the health of the masses. I want to see more people outside because everyone deserves to look and feel good, while conveniently and safely enjoying outdoor life.