While developing their skills at California Baptist University, students found inspiration and pursued success by building practical experience through small businesses tied to their dream careers.
Jasmine Juaréz, junior business administration major and owner of an administrative consulting business, explained what inspired her to start her own business while still in college.
“I wanted to take what I’ve learned so far and actually put it into practice. I’ve always wanted to start my own business early so I could slowly build it up over time,” Juaréz said. “Starting in college gave me the chance to grow at my own pace while still learning.”
However, balancing business and academic assignments proved challenging and time-consuming for those who struggled to manage their routines.
Mackenzie Head, senior graphic design and visual experience major and owner of a merchandise business called Groupie Garage, described the challenges she faced as a student running her own merch business.
“Definitely time, the lack of it that is. Literally, there will be days I have to pick what is more important at the moment, my business or school,” Head said.
Alongside the challenges, Head also shared what many people misunderstand about being a student entrepreneur.
“I think a lot of people just don’t take it seriously,” Head said. “They don’t understand all the behind-the-scenes and think of it as a hobby.”
Most of the time, business owners did not learn real-world challenges in classrooms or textbooks. Instead, practical experience gave students a clearer sense of reality.
“I learned that real-world problems are not as straightforward as they seem in class or in a textbook. Every situation is different, and you have to adjust fast. I also learned how to ease clients’ nerves and stay patient, which is something you only learn by actually working with people,” Juaréz said.
To build and maintain a successful business, a person had to develop a range of skills. Dr. Thomas Fryer, assistant professor of business, shared what skills successful student entrepreneurs most often demonstrated.
“[The most important skill is] being stubborn because you don’t want to give up at any time. That’s the whole point, [you] know you’re going to make mistakes, that things are going to go right or completely fall apart. But keep going and never give up,” Fryer said.
As technology advanced, business barriers continued to change for young entrepreneurs. Fryer explained this shift further.
“I would say that technology allowed more democratization of skills that is beyond anything that we’ve traditionally seen,” Fryer said. “So now suddenly, everybody is going to be able to unlock their creativity and their innovation.”
In addition, Fryer gave advice to students planning to start their own businesses.
“You’ve got youth, curiosity and time on your side. Use them ruthlessly, start messy, learn fast, make mistakes, stay kind to yourself and never give up,” Fryer said.
As students applied what they learned, they showed that achieving a successful career required stepping out of their comfort zones and being willing to make mistakes and learn from them. They also aimed to stay true to their values and the purpose behind their business endeavors.
