Being a student can feel like a full-time job with time spent both in and out of classes getting work done. But many college students also have responsibilities outside of being a student, like internships and professional positions with independent organizations.
Due to the time commitment of these various responsibilities, it is incredibly rare, but not unheard of, for college students to own a business, especially at Samford University. With programs like the Samford Startup student-led incubator, students are given the financial and professional support they need to start their own business. This was how Kaitlin McDermott began her company, Social Hour Media.
“I decided to make a jump for it and see what would happen,” McDermott said. “I definitely wouldn’t trade it for a thing.”
Social Hour Media works with brands to create online content that shows off not only the company’s products and services, but also the people behind the brand.
McDermott began her online business as a junior in college through the startup program. She said she wanted the business to be established by the time she graduated in April 2022. The community McDermott had with the business school and the networking opportunities she got through competitions allowed Social Hour Media to grow into a full-time job.
While McDermott continues to run her own company after college, there are many Samford students who are currently in the same position that she was in as college students starting their own businesses. Samford student Mallory Matthews began her business, Mementos by Mallory, a little over a year ago.
“I wanted to put my artistic ability to use and provide art that gives back,” Matthews said. “I’ve always dreamed of owning a business, but always felt held back because of my young age. Going to college out of state has given me the confidence boost that I needed to actually get started.”
Mementos by Mallory started as an online shop featuring Matthews’ artwork. 10% of the proceeds go to nonprofits that help families facing issues with pregnancy. Matthews said that the charity aspect of her business was the reason she started in the first place.
“I wanted to give people a way to make a difference through purchasing my art, so that is what I set out to do,” Matthews said.
Matthews loves her business but acknowledges that it can be difficult to balance with college life. Like McDermott, Matthews said she feels incredibly blessed by the support she has received from the community.
“There are countless people – especially here at Samford – that are more than willing to invest in me and my business,” Matthews said. “The support has been overwhelming. It [the business] requires a lot of time management, perseverance and energy, but is so rewarding.”
People start businesses for many different reasons. McDermott wanted to create a full-time job with her skills, while Matthews wanted to help a cause she believed in. Rebecca Stockwell started her nonprofit business, Rings 4 Missions, to raise money to support her mission trips overseas.
Stockwell started creating stamp rings to raise money for her year-long mission trip with World Race. She began by selling rings to friends, family and members of her church. Now, Stockwell is raising money for an upcoming mission trip to Africa. This year she decided to create Instagram and Etsy accounts to sell her rings on.
“I feel like the word ‘business’ is so scary, and it’s like, ‘I own a business?’” Stockwell said. “But I really am just trying to gain support financially for what the Lord is doing through me. If I had one order or if I had 100 orders, I’m still doing it for the same purpose and the same reason.”
With her business, she is hoping to not only fund her own mission trips, but also support fellow Christians trying to travel and spread the Gospel.
“I’m hoping to continue it and, once I’m fully funded, help fund other people going overseas,” Stockwell said.
Each of these entrepreneurs had to take a leap of faith to start a business. Kaitlin McDermott gave some inspiring advice to any students interested in starting a business, focusing on 1 Timothy 4:12.
“Give it all you’ve got,” McDermott said. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you’re young. The mental block – if it’s not a real hurdle – don’t let it get in your way. I’d rather something be an ‘oops’ than a ‘what if?’ Don’t let the fear of failure stand in your way, especially when you have such a great community.”
Arts & Life Editor
