Taking a singular scroll through Facebook is the quickest way to reveal that many students at Troy run small businesses, with a large variety of services offered. From intricate acrylics to tasty treats and everything in between, they have you covered.
“I was inspired by my older brother to do hair,” said Jahdiya Lowery, a junior from Andalusia, Alabama majoring in global business marketing. “I’ve always known how to do hair, but he’s the one who convinced me to take a leap of faith and share my skills with the world.”
Lowery offers hair styling services, specializing in braids and locs.
Like many students, Lowery utilizes her skills to fund her education.
“I use the funds from my small business to fund my everyday life as a college student and pay for school,” Lowery said. “I plan on growing my small business in the next few years by improving my marketing strategy and introducing content creation to my brand.
“I've had so many marketing opportunities here at Troy University, so I like to apply my knowledge and experience I've gained to my personal business. I'm also interested in content creation because it allows for a new stream of revenue and opportunities; one of my goals once I begin content creation is to collaborate with another company.”
Lowery isn’t the only one who plans to grow her business.
“Once I start college, I plan to major in business to hopefully one day be able to open my own salon,” said Sadie Holbert, a high school student from Troy who specializes in acrylics, gel-x and builder gel at Epix Salon. “A majority of my funds are going into savings for college, and the rest are spent on restocking my nail supplies.
“As of right now I plan to continue to work at Epix Salon and grow my clientele to be fully booked.”
Holbert encourages others to pursue their dreams.
“I would definitely encourage others to use their talent to start a small business,” Holbert said. “I have really enjoyed being able to do something I love while making an income.
“It takes a lot of hard work and practice, but if you are dedicated and don’t give up, it will be worth it.”
For some, the sweet reward of their talent comes in other ways.
“I’ve always loved chocolate-covered strawberries,” said Destiny Olivia Coston, a sophomore majoring in psychology from Prattville, Alabama. “I then started helping a friend with her event business and fell in love with treat making.”
Coston specializes in chocolate-covered treat-making and uses the funds from her business to fund trips and personal expenditures because she also has a part-time job.
Coston says it’s ok to start off small.
“It’s ok not to start off fully booked, and you will experience some downfalls in the midst, but that’s with anything,” Coston said. “Don’t give up, and continue to see your business through.
“Right now, I typically promote and do really well during Valentine’s Day, but I’m hoping to meet new clients so I can become a year-round treat maker.”
Lowery leaves students with one last bit of advice.
“My advice to those who want to use their creativity to create a small business is to go for it,” Lowery said. “I had so many doubts starting out, but I learned to let those feelings go and trust that things would fall into place, and they did.
“Now I'm 20 years old, and I've been self-employed for over a year. You can do it!”
ความคิดเห็น