6 minute read
Student Spotlights
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS
JIM MORAN COLLEGE STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS
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The College features some amazing undergraduate and graduate students to see what they are up to both inside and outside the classroom and why they choose entrepreneurship as their field of study.
JACOB VAN DOREN | COMMERCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
What is your favorite thing about the JMC program so far? My favorite thing about the JMC program is the flexibility that the classes provide. On top of learning a diverse set of skills from the classes in the program, we are also given many opportunities to work on our business and learn skills that we find valuable outside of the classroom. In addition to the flexibility aspect of the program, all of the JMC professors are willing to go above and beyond to ensure we succeed as students as well as in our own personal ventures.
What are your career goals? I plan to apply the wide skill set I acquire from this program to benefit a startup business after college. I want to combine my entrepreneurial experience with my siblings ' diverse skill sets to create a business that will provide meaningful value to our customers. My long-term goal is to own and operate multiple franchises.
What have you enjoyed most this fall? This fall I have greatly enjoyed the vast opportunities the JMC program provides outside of the classroom. There are a multitude of workshops, career events, and social events that provide tons of value and opportunity to network and create lasting relationships with other entrepreneurship students and professors. I have enjoyed taking advantage of these opportunities to expand my connections and learn more outside of the classroom.
What was the most valuable piece of knowledge you ’ ve learned from your experience in the Entrepreneurial program? The most valuable piece of knowledge I’ ve received so far is to take risks while you are young. A lot of young people feel as though they don ’ t know enough to create a business, but this program has taught me and many others that you just have to go after it and get started. True entrepreneurs fail a lot before they become successful. This program has taught me to not be afraid of failure but to embrace it, adjust, and apply the lessons learned in the future.
Who or what has influenced you to pursue entrepreneurship in your specific industry? My father has been a great influence on me to pursue entrepreneurship. His story always motivates me to strive to be better every day and live life to the fullest while helping others along the way. Entrepreneurship provides a way to create the life you want to live and if done correctly can allow you to have a positive impact on those around you as well as your customers.
What advice would you give to a student that is thinking about pursuing a degree in entrepreneurship? Get involved in organizations and events outside of the classroom involving entrepreneurship. There are many amazing opportunities that the JMC program provides to the students to succeed, learn, and connect with other students, professors, and alumni. Take advantage of these opportunities and use the facilities to your advantage while you are here. Also, keep an open mind and take risks, don ’ t be afraid to fail.
AMANI COMMODORE | RETAIL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
What is your favorite thing about the JMC program so far?
My favorite thing about the major has to be the faculty/staff. My professors and advisors are very supportive of my future plans and are the reason I believe I will be successful after college. They always believed in me when I found it difficult to believe in myself. I’ m also comfortable enough with the faculty/staff to contact someone when I have a question or just need advice.
What are your career goals?
My long-term career goals are to start a dance/athletic apparel brand or a natural hair care line.
What have you enjoyed most this past fall?
This fall, I’ ve enjoyed the projects I’ ve been able to work on in my courses. As a senior, I felt like I’ ve been pushed, creatively, to develop my brand' s image and potential garments in class. My favorite project, so far, has been a croquis project I did for my retail technologies class. I created 3 croquis and clothes with full detail and shading using Adobe Illustrator. This project was a lot of fun for me due to the amount of creative freedom I was given.
What was the most valuable piece of knowledge you ’ ve learned from your experience in the Entrepreneurial program?
The most valuable piece of knowledge I’ ve learned from my experience in the entrepreneurial program is that your product always has to satisfy a need. You may have a great idea for a retail brand, but if it’s not solving a problem for a consumer it won’t do as well in the market. ... remember that you ’ re able to do the things you put your mind to. You ’ll be surprised by the things you accomplish when you just go for it!
Who or what has influenced you to pursue entrepreneurship in your specific industry?
My godmother influenced me to pursue entrepreneurship in my specific industry. She is the founder of P. Sherrod & Co., a leather handbag business, based in Atlanta, GA. I had the idea to have my own brand since high school, but she ’ s the main reason I was encouraged to study retail entrepreneurship.
What advice would you give to a student that is thinking about pursuing a degree in entrepreneurship?
The advice I would give a student interested in the major is to remember your "why " and be confident in your ability. It ’ s important to
remember your “why
” so you don’t steer away from your original goal or get discouraged. As you learn more about the industry, you may question your direction or even want to alter your brand position, but it ’ s important to reference your original “why ” if you steer too far away. Also, remember that you ’ re able to do the things you put your mind to. You ’ll be surprised by the things you accomplish when you just go for it!
