Books By Day, Bosses By Night

By Myami

What do Insomnia Cookies, Facebook and Kinko’s all have in common? Today, they are legitimate multi-million-dollar businesses. And they all started on a college campus.

Do you want to work for someone for the rest of your life? Are you satisfied with where you are in life right now? People go to college to get a degree, but many do not want to go to school for four years answering professors, then go out into the “real world” just to answer a boss or CEO making millions.

Enter the student entrepreneur. This person is working toward a degree, all the while making money by putting their current skills to use.

Since being on campus, what goods or services have you needed? Have you wanted to get your nails done but did not have a vehicle? Would the price be reasonable? Would it match the skill? Do certifications matter to you?

Many Barry students on campus have a niche. Some of your peers are barbers, hairstylists, choreographers, photographers, musicians and some are cooks.

At a Feb. 2 event called Ubuntu, members of the Barry community were able to display their products and services as student vendors on Thompson Lawn. A student vendor is a student who has a business or service that they can officially offer to the school via an online application form.

You can access the form through https://barry.campuslabs.com/engage.

Senior graphic design student Jiliany Perez tabling as a student vendor at February's Ubuntu event. Photo Credit: Maison Clemente

As a student vendor, you are eligible to receive payment for your services at campus events; you will be paid by the school on an agreed upon amount and when you sell items, you will also get to keep the profit you make from the event.

From candle vendors to photographers, these students were offered the rare opportunity of letting the campus community know about their side hustle in a public, campus-sanctioned event. `

Lei-Lani Young, a student entrepreneur, is a junior studying communication media and advertising. Her business, Lei-Lei Nails, is one she does while balancing school, keeping up with social media and advertising.

“A successful day looks like multiple clients as well as word-of-mouth, friends recommending you,” she said.

While she relies on referrals for much of her clientele, she recalls getting her first nail client by sharing her work online.

Roy Lewis is an MBA student and the owner of Supreme Creations LLC. It is a multimedia production company specializing in an array of photography and videography services. The hardest part about running his business is the administrative aspect.

“So, keeping everything organized is very challenging, such as invoices, managing contracts, and doing consultations,” he said. “Managing them, going through all the stages of potential clients...it’s always a battle.”

Lewis attributes getting his first client to free work. Having a YouTube channel and branching out to other social media platforms helped get him exposure. He states that people may know someone who needs your service.

After being in business for five years, Lewis said that “customer service is everything” and that he wishes he had been preemptive with his social media content.

“Just being able to put out your content and show people what you do. Content is king,” he said. Overall, though, Lewis believes it goes back to making his clients happy, whether at a wedding or a music video.

“If you fulfill the client's wishes and everything runs smoothly, there's a vibe between you and the client, then you’ll potentially be booked again,” he said. Lewis wants to encourage other students to start their own side hustle as he did.

“Start, just start. Do not be afraid to start that business because the longer you procrastinate, the longer you sit on it, somebody else is out there with your same idea and they are going to get ahead of you because you waited so long, and they are going to start doing what you want to do, and you’re going to be sitting back looking jealous,” he said.

Jiliany Perez, a senior studying graphic design, sold delicious, sweet treats at Ubuntu, as well as took Valentine's Day custom merchandise orders on the spot. Her tabling included an automatic entry to her giveaway with a purchase.

Perez finds it difficult juggling her booming business - Jilly's Creations, working part-time with Channel 7 as a graphic designer, and being a full-time student.

“The hardest part has been finding time to work on my craft,” she said. Perez finds small things like simply dedicating time to her business as well as getting custom orders, as a success.

“I named my business Jilly's Creations because I want to be able to create anything and everything. I am here for people's creative needs. Every order is different and it keeps me motivated because it challenges my creativity and sparks innovative ideas. I make custom orders of shirts, cups, gift sets, frames, graduation caps and stoles, treats and more!”

Perez stated that her first supporters were friends and family.

“You do not need much to get started, just start,” she said. “Even if it is starting small. Be consistent and you will see growth.”

Take it from your peers, just start and follow that confusing road of being a business owner. Stay consistent, continue to develop your skills, promote your business on social media and do uncomfortable things like working for free.