Student entrepreneurs start owning businesses early

If you are waiting for the stars to align start your own business. Do not. That’s the suggestion of two Sioux Falls student entrepreneurs starting their own business in 2022.

At 19, Brooklyn Terveen self-funded and launched Brooke and Maize, an online clothing boutique. But this isn’t the college teen’s first business venture.

“At the age of 8, I would visit friends and family around Christmas and sell them the soap I made. Then when I was a little bit older, I think I was 12, I started making dog collars and The leash business. I went to my local pet store and sold them. I’ve always been very entrepreneurial and loved feeling like I was in control, and I loved selling products to people,” Terveen said.

That’s not to say it’s easy to own your own business while earning 22 college course credits, keeping straight A’s and working part-time as a babysitter.

“The biggest challenge was wearing all the hats. As a sole proprietor, I was the marketing team, customer service assistant, manager, social media coordinator – I needed to fill a lot of roles as a person because I was the only one in my The people who work in the department do business,” says Twente.

But she said the timing couldn’t be better.

“I’m a business student, and I’m a firm believer that starting my own business is more helpful than any internship,” says Tevin.

Bruce Whatley agrees. Watley is an associate professor of business administration and director of the Lillibridge Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation at Sioux Falls University.

“In America, thank goodness, you can get down to zero. So, it’s good for the students, and I want to look at the opportunities. If you’re going to consider having an idea, but for whatever reason it fails, better be quick Fail and learn from failure and recover from it. You can do it at a younger age than if you started a small business in your 40s, 50s, or even 60s,” says Whatley .

In his entrepreneurship courses, Watley encourages students who aspire to own their own business but aren’t sure what to do with it to think about something they’re passionate about or look for a problem they can help others solve.

Kendra Wynja took this advice to heart. Inspired by a skill she’s used since childhood, at the age of 20 she started an organization and event planning company – KJ Organization and Planning.

“Funny story, my mom is probably the most disorganized person you’ll ever meet. But she always said, I need to finish this drawer, I need to organize these shelves, and then I’ll start doing it. Even when things happen in our lives There was always a timeline between me and my brother and where the family was going. People were like, “Make it a business, anything can go wrong,” Wynja said.

Even though she’s been organizing pantry, drawers and family schedules since elementary school, she says it’s hard for potential clients to take her seriously because of her age.

“I have always had a full schedule, completing tasks for them is not something I take lightly, I will give my all and take full responsibility for their projects, which is difficult for some older generations to understand,” Wenya said .

Wynja uses social media to help build credibility. But she says client referrals are really how her business grows.

“I hardly do any advertising. If someone recommends me, it’s much bigger than any ad on Facebook or Instagram,” Wynja said.

Brooklyn Terveen, owner of Brooke and Maize, said customer feedback was also a motivator.

“It’s so cool to see customers message me or post clothes they’ve received from me. It’s so rewarding,” says Terveen.

When asked what advice they would share with other young entrepreneurs, both students said, “Start today, but don’t give up your day jobs.” In addition to going to school and running their own businesses, the women also hold part-time jobs .



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