Scottsdale resident Isabella DiGiovanni dribbles empowerment as she starts an importing firm to help women.

A top-ranked basketball player for Seton Catholic High School, Ms. DiGiovanni plans to play for Ivy-league Dartmouth’s women’s baskball team next year where she will study marketing and management at the Tuck Business School.

When she isn’t practicing for her next big game, or studying for her next big exam, she is an entrepreneur, selling tote bags that help empower women in third world countries, according to a press release.

Ms. DiGiovanni and her friend Connor Nannen, started a gift firm, Sand Custom Designs, selling imported canvas tote bags. A portion of the sales will be sent to India to benefit a local school supporting and educating women, the release said.

The idea originated while traveling with her family on business trips to eastern Europe and Asia, where she was motivated by the hard work of underprivileged women.

“It was such an eye-opening experience, and one that I think will stick with me the rest of my life” said Ms. DiGiovanni in a prepared statement. “It’s really easy for Americans to become blind to the conditions in other countries. We sometimes forget how fortunate we are in this country.”

As she got older, she wanted to help so she and her friend decided to market tote bags, noted the release.

We hope that others, especially young people, can see that they can make a difference, no matter how big or how small,” said Ms. DiGiovanni, noting the importance of accomplishing “great things.”

Referencing her favorite quote: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love,” by Mother Teresa, she persists in her dreams.

“This is our attempt to do a small thing with great love,” said Ms. DiGiovanni.

“Isabella has clearly always had a passion for helping people and getting to join her in this has been one of the most impactful decisions in my life,” said Connor Nannen in a prepared statement.

“We started the business in the DiGiovanni attic in August and then took over the garage, so we are presently looking for some inexpensive warehouse space because we have just run out of room.”

Many women in third world countries are either viewed as caretakers, or work in unprotected jobs, where they earn less than men, according to the release.

“Industrialization offers the chance for at least some women, especially poorer women, to get out of the home, but the hard-working conditions can foster leg injuries, breathing issues and back problems,” Ms. DiGiovanni said.

“For as little as $5,000 we can send four women through a nursing program or six women through a basic accounting program. With this type of education, we can change the life cycle of multiple families. Education is the fastest way to empower women.”