Celebrating Entrepreneurial Go-Getters in November
A skincare line, a sports marketing company, an energy drink start-up and a small business consulting enterprise all have one thing in common – they are led by Western Governors University-educated entrepreneurs who saw a need and launched a business to fulfill that need.
They also join millions of entrepreneurs who are celebrated during national Entrepreneurship Month in November.
“More than 400,000 new business applications have been submitted each month this year, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, which demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well. I applaud the go-getter mindset of entrepreneurs whose tenacity and innovation not only boost opportunities in communities, but they also help improve our society by striving to do good for themselves and for others,” said Mitsu Frazier, senior vice president and executive dean of the College of Business at Western Governors University. “By creating new jobs and addressing unmet market needs in creative ways, entrepreneurs are industry change-makers.”
That includes T'Yanna E. Chapin who started her journey as an entrepreneur earlier this year with the launch of Skin Glam Co., but not without overcoming hurdles along the way.
“Creating a natural skincare line had always been a dream, but the fear of failure held me back for a long time,” Chapin said. “Then, life happened unexpectedly - my eight-year marriage came to an end, and I found myself a single mom. Balancing the responsibilities of supporting my child, continuing my education, homeschooling and working on building my nonprofit to provide essential therapies to children with disabilities in our community became my new reality.”
Setbacks are inevitable when launching a business, according to Chapin.
“You'll encounter a myriad of reasons not to start your business, face a possible lack of support from those close to you and be perpetually solving problems. The work is ceaseless, you may experience financial strain, and doubt will creep in,” Chapin said. “Yet, one day, you'll secure your first sale or client, strangers will begin to follow you on social media and you'll connect with like-minded individuals who inspire you to take risks. So, my advice to those who are considering starting their own business is simple – just begin. It's more rewarding to pursue your own dream and reap the benefits than to work a 9-5 for someone else's vision, where they determine your value.”
Chapin is currently enrolled in WGU’s Business Administration – Accounting bachelor’s degree program.
“The coursework within WGU's business accounting program is playing a pivotal role in molding my entrepreneurial journey. It provides a foundation in financial management, budgeting and accounting principles, which are fundamental for any business,” Chapin said. “This knowledge empowered me to make informed financial decisions, manage resources efficiently and ensure the financial health of Skin Glam Co. ventures. Additionally, the program's focus on critical thinking and problem-solving sharpened my analytical skills, enabling me to identify opportunities and address challenges with confidence.”
Another entrepreneur who has created his own pathway is Erik Gardner. He launched his Warrior Sports Marketing company in 2013 and still actively runs it while also working full-time at WGU as an evaluator in the College of Business. In addition to athlete promotion, Gardner’s business fosters strategic partnerships between athletes and corporate entities.
Gardner encourages future entrepreneurs to follow their passion.
“Persistence pays off. Don't let failure stop you. Let it empower you to adjust, shift strategy and strive forward,” Gardner said. “As a happily married father of three young boys whom I homeschool, take to all their activities while also coaching their baseball teams, working a full-time position with WGU and running my business, I fully understand how busy life can be. However, when you follow your passion, commitments become privileges rather than hardships. Enjoy the privileges.”
Gardner earned an MBA and master’s degree in management leadership at WGU.
“The MBA program was particularly helpful in understanding the operational aspects of business, forecasting future growth and needs, and how to pivot when necessary. It also showed the importance of understanding the competitive landscape completely,” Gardner said. “The Master of Science in Management and Leadership program helped me build upon my existing experience in the field of management and transition from being a manager to becoming a leader who still focuses on tasks, processes, and efficiency but also inspires and guides individuals toward a shared vision, fostering personal and collective growth.”
Entrepreneur Bryce Sloat launched his powdered energy drink, Astrafruit, in 2022, but not without challenges.
“Starting a business and running it, both demand a lot of time, energy and money. Also, we live in uncertain times, when considering COVID and conflict in the world,” Sloat said. “These things have disrupted supply chains that even a small business like my own was noticeably affected by. When launching your own business, it’s important to hope for the best and plan for the worst.”
For those considering taking the leap into entrepreneurship, Sloat has some advice.
“It takes a peculiar combination of passion and naivety to undertake a task as daunting as starting a business. Unexpected bumps in the road happen all the time, and it's a never-ending learning process. Being organized and having some artistic and technical background has gone a long way for me,” he said.
Sloat is enrolled in the WGU’s WGU’s Business Administration – Marketing degree program.
“Through this program, I'm hoping to learn how to market my own product. School tends to cover more breadth in terms of concepts; it's nice to have a better understanding of how business works in general, and what a given field has to offer,” Sloat said.
Joshua Bryant began working as a marketing and web designer consultant in 2021, which supports small businesses.
“I take pride in working one-on-one with small businesses to assist them with ultimately increasing their monthly revenue through a unique omnichannel advertisement approach,” Bryant said. “As a marketing consultant, my goal is to help businesses achieve their advertising objectives and reach their full potential.”
Bryant encourages new entrepreneurs to not get discouraged when they face a setback.
“There is no right or wrong way, straight path or shortcut that will make you successful,” Bryant said. “You cannot fear failure because we only learn from our mistakes. As long as you are willing to learn new things while being innovative, read non-fiction books relevant to your industry and continue to get up every single time that you get knocked down, you will be successful.”
Bryant, author of The Marketing Mastermind: Innovative techniques for explosive business growth, is enrolled in WGU’s Business Administration – Marketing degree program.
“The coursework at WGU is integral in teaching me how to apply new frameworks in my client's businesses as well as my own,” Bryant said. “I have taken a non-traditional journey with my education by jumping straight into the workforce out of high school and learning about various industries before committing to one.”
Bryant said he taught himself marketing and web design through a multitude of other business ventures that he pursued in his 20s and fell in love with the marketing industry.
“As I was analyzing my sales reports in May, I realized that I was on track to bring in a net just shy of six figures this year as a solopreneur. In June, I knew without a doubt that marketing was not only a wonderful career to have but having a strong business acumen with foundational knowledge that simply cannot be obtained outside of a college education would be a vital step for me to take in order to scale my business into a higher level.”
