13 August, 2026 – While attending Handsworth Secondary School, Bella Zhao joined the JA Company Program at Dunbar Community Centre in Grade 10, expecting to learn how to build a business. Instead, she gained something more: the confidence to step outside her comfort zone, take on leadership opportunities and believe in herself.
That confidence eventually led to one of the biggest moments of her JA journey.
After receiving the JABC Junior Entrepreneurship Award for her leadership as President of Solace & Stone, a student company creating customizable jewelry from recycled sea glass, Bella took the stage at the Business Laureates of BC Hall of Fame Gala to share her story with more than 1,000 business leaders.
The moment felt daunting, but when she stepped off the stage, something had changed.
“Speaking on that stage became a huge confidence boost for me,” Bella says. “It made me realize that if I could do something that once felt so intimidating, I could push myself to take on other challenges too.”
It wasn’t just a speech. It was proof that she was capable of more than she had believed.
“JA became much more than a business program to me,” Bella says. “It became a community that helped me build confidence, find mentors I could look up to, and connect with people who continue to inspire me.”
Her confidence grew with every opportunity. As President of Solace & Stone, Bella worked with a team of 16 students through the JA Company Program. She later placed third in Discover Your Pitch, JABC’s student business pitch competition, for Paws & Pulse, attended the inaugural Youth Leadership Conference and co-hosted a JABC TechWorks video episode.
Each experience pushed her outside her comfort zone and reinforced a key lesson: growth happens when you’re willing to say yes before you feel completely ready.
But looking back, it’s the people who stand out most, the mentors who believed in her, the students who inspired her and the connections that made networking feel meaningful.
“They taught me that asking questions isn’t a weakness, networking is really just getting to know people, and growth happens when you’re willing to put yourself in unfamiliar situations.”
This fall, Bella will begin Business Management and Organizational Studies at Western University with Ivey Advanced Entry Opportunity status. Moving from Vancouver to Ontario is a big step, but it’s one she now welcomes. After all, the experiences that once felt the most intimidating have become the ones that have shaped her the most.
For students who aren’t sure what comes next, Bella’s advice is simple:
“Stay open, say yes to opportunities, and don’t be afraid to try something new. You never know where one experience might lead.”
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