Virginia State University Molding Entrepreneurs

by Urban Views RVA March 16, 2018

By Daeryn James

In true essence, entrepreneurs or people who create a brand are simply people who take great risk in order to launch and create successful businesses. That sounds so simple–but don’t be fooled–creating an entire brand from a single thought can be very complicated. For two Virginia State students, starting their businesses was merely taking a chance in hopes that their ideas would be manifested. Finding things that you like to do and turning them into a business could potentially become a lasting career. “If you love your job you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” Many of us have heard that phrase. You can seriously turn hobbies into hundreds!

First, one of the essential parts of entrepreneurship is business planning. In business planning, you have to think, who will benefit from what you’re providing? When you consider your audience, who you benefit is dependant on what area you are in. Virginia State University, being one of the largest historically black colleges in the state of Virginia, would be the perfect place to market yourself and present your passions to the world. The campus of VSU has sparked the minds of many students and has served as a stepping stool for students to build lasting brands. Deion, a VSU junior, developed the concept of his brand based solely on himself. He was known to receive compliments on his tailored suits and graphic neckties; he figured, why not start a business? Deion’s normal professional look turned into Gentlemen’s Way & Co. An LLC Corporation and brand was created simply by a young man’s everyday attire. College can be used as a great tool to network and get noticed. When asked about ways to expand his brand on Virginia State’s campus, Deion stated that he admired the fact that college can be such a networking tool. “We all come from different backgrounds and you never know who knows who,” he says. Even with that statement being true, being a business owner is not easy. You have to commit yourself and not be afraid to take a risk. The owner of this professional men’s tie line gets a thrill out of having the freedom to create products and provide them to peers alike.

Melanie Crutchfield, also a VSU student, says that real entrepreneurship is about an individual examining themselves and making their own opportunities instead of just waiting for one to come. Melanie’s premier accessory boutique is a buzz around the yard. “Gimme Galore” credits Virginia State and its students for much of its success. When using social media to promote her products, Melanie likes to use Virginia State as her pinpoint location to get her supporters’ attention. “VSU is everything to me especially being a young, black business owner. My support definitely comes from the community,” she said. These two students are definitions of modern day entrepreneurs. Not only are they working to start lasting businesses, they are using their resources to do so. Melanie Crutchfield’s advice to other college students is to promote themselves until it pays off. Having tunnel vision can turn negatives into positives and you never know who you may inspire along the way.

If you have that passion for something, why not turn it into a paycheck. Entrepreneurship is not for those easily discouraged. Taking a thought and putting the work behind it to create something greater is what millions of entrepreneurs do every day. How you market yourself and use your surroundings to establish your business is the key! Both Melanie and Deion have used VSU to connect to their peers, meanwhile expressing their own individuality. Both plan to continue to grow their brands in the near future. Deion shares that he is just trying to become a better businessman and continue to seek more knowledge about running a business as a whole. Entrepreneurship is a big responsibility but with dedication, it can open many doors for those who take that risk when opportunity comes knocking.