The Startup Storybook Podcast

Parth Mehta taught himself to code over one summer and built Makistry — an AI-powered CAD platform with 300+ users and 7,000+ designs. He’s a sophomore at UT Austin, plays squash for the university team, performs original music at Austin open mics, and calls school “my side hustle now.” In this episode: the battle robot class that sparked the idea, leading a team of peers when nothing he tried worked, imposter syndrome on calls with executives three times his age, and why there are “no miracle people.”Try Makistry: makistry.aiParth on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/parth-mehta100/

Arnav Gupta is a freshman at Stanford running a full-time startup. Athira connects students with tutors in under 30 seconds for 15-25 minute micro-tutoring sessions — and the AI behind it is learning how great tutors sense confusion, adapt their tone, and personalize in real time. In this episode, Arnav talks about meeting his co-founder through Y Combinator's matching platform before even starting college, launching to 500 users in two weeks, why he thinks LinkedIn is making high schoolers worse, and the ethical line between supplementing human teachers and replacing them.

🔗 Learn more about Athira: https://athira.tech

🔗 Connect with Arnav: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnav-gupta-bb7a06232/

Most high schoolers can't even imagine leading initiatives that shape their community and inspire the next generation, unless they see the power in their own voice. Kashika Khurana shows how young leaders can rewrite the STEM story and foster confidence that defies age and stereotypes.In this episode, Kashika shares her story in founding three distinct non-profits, each with the goal of empowering young people. She discusses how AI literacy workshops are helping elementary and middle schoolers to not just consume technology but to understand and build it — turning them into the creators of tomorrow’s AI. Kashika’s unique perspective on creativity, problem-solving, and activism in STEM proves that age is just a number when you have conviction and a clear vision.Want to be on the podcast yourself, or know somebody who might be a good fit? Reach out to us ⁠here:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTL0DCjge6Tztd_JqaK1egBpmZOcM5ZgMukDmr-l0qhWS8HQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103306181892351881850

Sudhanva Athreya ran a financial services company before 21. Now he's building SportSense — an AI-powered platform that wants to change how fans follow sports by making it personal. In this episode, Sudhanva talks about what he learned leading a team with no technical background, losing a co-founder to a $150K job offer, and why he believes ideas are worthless without the people willing to execute them.Learn more about SportSense: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sportssenseco/Connect with Sudhanva: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sudhanvaaathreya/Want to be on the podcast yourself, or know somebody who might be a good fit? Reach out to us ⁠here:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTL0DCjge6Tztd_JqaK1egBpmZOcM5ZgMukDmr-l0qhWS8HQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103306181892351881850

Akku Kumar was sitting at DFW, four hours into an eight-hour delay, when something clicked. Two years later, he's got contracts with multiple airports and a team building technology to fix one of air travel's most annoying problems. We talk about the 80 customer interviews it took to find the right problem, why five co-founders didn't work out, and what he's sacrificed to build Arrow Analytics while finishing his master's at Texas A&M.Want to be on the podcast yourself, or know somebody who might be a good fit? Reach out to us ⁠at startupstorybookpod@gmail.com.

In this episode, we interview Vir Sanghavi and Wyatt Wolfman, the young founders of Tilt, a platform that aims to improve online communication by turning dialogue into data. They discuss the technology behind Tilt, including its unique logic scoring system, and how it seeks to combat the echo chambers prevalent in online discussions. The conversation also covers their experiences as young entrepreneurs, the challenges of balancing education with startup life, and their plans for scaling.

Join us on the Startup Storybook podcast for an engaging conversation with Logan Russell, founder of Runner's High Cookies. What started as a passion for baking and a knack for balancing school and business has grown into a thriving cookie enterprise. In this episode, Logan shares his journey from a college student to a successful entrepreneur, discussing the challenges of managing a business while pursuing a degree in urban planning. Discover how Logan's commitment to community and innovation has shaped his approach to entrepreneurship, and learn about the unique flavors and creative strategies that set Runner's High Cookies apart. Tune in to hear Logan's story of resilience, community, and the sweet rewards of following your passion.

Young entrepreneur Mahir Laul shares how Velric is using AI to replace outdated resumes with dynamic proof-of-work missions, making hiring faster, fairer, and more accurate for recruiters and candidates alike.

Join us on the Startup Storybook podcast for an eye-opening chat with Mahir Laul, founder of Velric, who's on a mission to eliminate resumes forever. As a self-taught entrepreneur who took a leave from college to build his startup, Mahir explains how his frustration with inflated resumes and inefficient hiring sparked the idea for an AI-driven platform that scores candidates based on real-world missions tailored to their skills.

In this episode, Mahir dives into Velric's innovative scoring system, anti-cheat measures, and how it cuts pre-screening time by up to 45%. We explore his journey from high school hustles to pitching investors, the future of education in an AI world, and why locking in with relentless work is key to entrepreneurial success. Tune in for practical advice on validating ideas quickly, embracing AI tools, and turning bold visions into reality.

Chapters00:00 Intro and Welcome02:00 Why Mahir Hates Resumes05:30 How Velric's AI Scoring Works10:15 Preventing Cheating with AI Missions15:00 Candidate Onboarding and Proof of Work20:30 Sourcing Missions from AI25:00 Mahir's Entrepreneurial Journey35:00 Early Hustles and Lessons Learned45:00 Networking and Building Connections55:00 The Future of Education and Upskilling1:00:00 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs1:05:00 Devil's Advocate: Defending the Resume1:10:00 Where to Find Velric

Discover More about Mahir below:

Velric: https://velric.ai/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahir-laul-a77b11224

Want to be on the podcast yourself, or know somebody who might be a good fit? Reach out to us ⁠here.

Help us in our mission to encourage the next generation of college entrepreneurs! If this content interests you, please let us know by following the podcast and most importantly sharing it with a friend! Lastly, help us build a community by commenting below your thoughts on the episode!

#CollegeStartups #YoungEntrepreneurs #AIHiring #StartupStorybook #VelricAI

Co-founders Colt Waller and Ryder McNeal return to share how Prevo Streaming is revolutionizing the world of short films by giving student filmmakers a platform to shine and connect with industry pros.

Join us on the Startup Storybook podcast for an engaging follow-up with Colt Waller and Ryder McNeal, co-founders of Prevo Streaming. Both SMU film alumni, they recount their paths from aspiring producers to creating a service that rescues high-quality student short films from hard drives. Ryder, returning from a prior episode, and Colt discuss how cold calls ignited their partnership, Prevo's growth from a basic app to a hub with newsletters, podcasts, and talent spotlights, and the scrappy drive fueling success in Hollywood.

In this episode, they explore balancing jobs, grad school, and startup demands, the power of optimism and collaboration, and how SMU's outsider status sparked innovation. They offer advice for college entrepreneurs on starting early, persisting, and acting on ideas via competitions or side hustles. Tune in to learn how Prevo builds a filmmaker pipeline and inspires your own ventures.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:40 Colt’s Background and Journey to Prevo

02:30 Ryder’s Story and the Spark for Prevo

09:00 The Problem Prevo Solves for Student Filmmakers

12:00 Evolving Prevo: From Streaming to Spotlighting Talent

18:00 Balancing School, Jobs, and Startup Growth

22:00 Challenges in the Film Industry and Staying Optimistic

30:00 Lessons in Collaboration and Thinking Outside the Box

48:35 Advice for Freshmen: Start Now and Find Balance

52:45 Wrapping Up: Where to Find Prevo

Discover More about Colt and Ryder below:Prevo Streaming: https://prevostreaming.com/LinkedIn (Colt): https://www.linkedin.com/in/colt-wallerLinkedIn (Ryder): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryder-mcneal

Want to be on the podcast yourself, or know somebody who might be a good fit? Reach out to us ⁠here.

Help us in our mission to encourage the next generation of college entrepreneurs! If this content interests you, please let us know by following the podcast and most importantly sharing it with a friend! Lastly, help us build a community by commenting below your thoughts on the episode!

#CollegeStartups #YoungEntrepreneurs #FilmInnovation #StartupStorybook #PrevoStreaming

Biotech entrepreneur and MUSIQ Bio founder Manwal Harb shares how his passion for science and helping others led him from Lebanon to Texas, where he’s using ultrasound technology to revolutionize drug delivery.

Join us on the Startup Storybook podcast for an epic conversation with Manwal Harb, CEO of MUSIQ Bio. What began as a fascination with nanotechnology and a desire to improve patient outcomes has grown into a company developing cutting-edge ultrasound-based solutions to make drug delivery safer, more effective, and less invasive.

In this episode, Manwal shares how his journey from Lebanon to the U.S. shaped his perspective on innovation and leadership. He discusses his path from being born in Lebanon to now launching his startup, the challenges of pursuing a PhD while launching a startup, and the importance of clear communication within teams and in relationships. Tune in to hear Manwal’s story of resilience, purpose, and how curiosity can lead to live-saving technologies.

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction to Manny and Musiq Bio and Paulomi Modi and Nucleate Texas

08:35 What is Nucleate?

10:41 Introducing Manny and MusiQ Bio

11:37 Manny’s Journey from Lebanon to the US

20:00 Transitioning into College: Community College vs. University

27:32 Choosing the Right Graduate School

30:00 MusiQ Bio’s Technology

40:00 Applications of Ultrasound in Medicine

1:06:00 Importance of Communication in Business

1:17:35 Navigating Team Dynamics and Trust

1:26:12 Different Business Models in Life Sciences

1:29:31 Advice for Future Entrepreneurs

Discover more about Manny and MusiQ Bio below:

MusiQ Bio: https://www.musiqbio.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manwalharb/ 

Discover more about Paulomi and Nucleate Texas:

Nucleate Texas: https://nucleate.org/locations/texas/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulomimodi/ 

Want to be on the podcast yourself, or know somebody who might be a good fit? Reach out to us ⁠here.

Help us in our mission to encourage the next generation of college entrepreneurs! If this content interests you, please let us know by following the podcast and most importantly sharing it with a friend! Lastly, help us build a community by commenting below your thoughts on the episode!

Auburn baseball player–turned-entrepreneur Brooks Fuller shares how a simple act of service during COVID grew into a booming moving business rooted in faith and purpose.

Join us on the Startup Storybook podcast for a powerful conversation with Brooks Fuller, the founder and CEO of Room to Room Movers. What began as a way to help Auburn University students pack their dorms during the COVID-19 lockdown quickly grew into a booming moving and storage company serving campuses across the South.

In this episode, Brooks shares how a moment of service sparked an entrepreneurial journey rooted in faith, patience, and purpose. We’ll explore how he turned a crisis into opportunity, built a culture focused on people over profit, and grew his company organically from pickup trucks and Excel sheets to custom software and a multi-campus operation. Tune in to hear Brooks’ story of stewardship, perseverance, and how staying grounded can lead to extraordinary growth.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Brooks Fuller

01:55 The Origin of Room to Room Movers

06:00 From Service to Business

09:45 Balancing Baseball and Business

11:15 Transition from Athlete to Entrepreneur

13:30 Building a Team and Operations

17:00 Developing Custom Technology

25:30 Funding Growth Organically

27:30 Service as a Core Value

31:00 Leadership and Delegation

34:45 The Role of Mentorship

42:45 Faith as a Foundation

58:30 Advice From Brooks

Discover More about Brooks and Room2Room Movers below:

Room2Room Movers: www.r2rmovers.com

LinkedIn: Brooks Fuller

Want to be on the podcast yourself, or know somebody who might be a good fit? Reach out to us ⁠here.

Help us in our mission to encourage the next generation of college entrepreneurs! If this content interests you, please let us know by following the podcast and most importantly sharing it with a friend! Lastly, help us build a community by commenting below your thoughts on the episode!

#CollegeEntrepreneur #StartupTrends2025 #FaithInBusiness #YoungEntrepreneur #AuburnStartups #BusinessValidation #OrganicGrowth

Join us on the Startup Storybook podcast for an inspiring conversation with Turner Rey, the innovative mind behind Embrace Strings. As a professional violist and student of Music Performance and Entrepreneurship at Abilene Christian University, Turner identified a common issue among violists: neck pain from traditional chin rests. This led him to develop a customizable chin rest, merging his love for music with his entrepreneurial spirit.

In this episode, Turner delves into the creation of Embrace Strings, the unique challenges he faced in the classical music industry, and the valuable lessons learned while building a business during his college years. We explore how he balances his dual roles as a student and entrepreneur, the mindset that fuels his progress, and actionable insights for anyone looking to transform a personal passion into a successful venture. Tune in to hear Turner’s journey and discover how he’s harmonizing success in both music and business.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:00 Turner’s Story

04:40 The Birth of Embrace Strings

07:20 Pitch Competitions and Springboard

10:05 The Iteration Process and Customer Feedback

14:15 Understanding Patents and Protections

23:10 Involvement with the Griggs Center

25:00 VelocityTX 

30:00 Can I Ask Myself A Question?

32:30 The Mission of the Startup Storybook Podcast

39:00 Future Plans and Partnerships

42:25 Special Partnership Announcement!

43:15 Wes Reflects on Podcast Experience

46:45 The Most Important Question??

Discover More about Turner and Embrace Strings below:

Embrace Strings: About Embrace Strings

LinkedIn: Turner Rey

Want to be on the podcast yourself, or know somebody who might be a good fit? Reach out to us ⁠here.

Help us in our mission to encourage the next generation of college entrepreneurs! If this content interests you, please let us know by following the podcast and most importantly sharing it with a friend! Lastly, help us build a community by commenting below your thoughts on the episode!

Thomas Lester is the founder of Heatstream Solutions, a packaging startup pioneering some of the most advanced self-heating packaging in the world. As a lifelong coffee drinker, Thomas often wondered why no one had created a truly effective self-heating coffee cup. That question became the spark for Heatstream.

During his second year at Auburn University, Thomas won funding for the idea in AU’s Tiger Cage Pitch Competition, and he hasn’t looked back since. Thomas shares what it takes to bring a physical product to market, lessons of leadership from guiding his team, and advice for college entrepreneurs looking to start their own venture.

Heatstream Solutions: heatstreamsolutions.com 

LinkedIn: Thomas Lester 

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Thomas Lester and Heat Stream Solutions

02:42 The Birth of an Idea: Self-Heating Coffee

05:59 Prototyping and the Tiger Cage Competition

08:50 The Product Development Journey

11:39 Navigating the Patent Process

14:58 The Role of Mentorship and Networking

17:55 Pitching and Selling the Vision

20:53 Building a Team and Leadership Dynamics

23:49 Future Vision and Market Potential

36:24 Understanding Product Costs and Pricing Strategy

38:47 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship

42:20 The Value of Experience Over Failure

44:59 The Role of College in Today's World

53:51 Faith and Business: A Personal Journey

Want to be on the podcast yourself, or know somebody who might be a good fit? Reach out to us ⁠here.

John and Chelsea Giles, alumni of Abilene Christian University, are the founders of DomeDock - America’s #1 hat rack. What started as a project in their garage has grown into a thriving, profitable business that even caught the attention of Shark Tank.

What makes their story especially inspiring is that neither John nor Chelsea considered themselves entrepreneurs in college. Yet, when the idea struck, they took a chance and turned it into a nationally recognized brand. The Gile’s share how DomeDock went from a side project to a household name, and why college is the best time to take a chance.

DomeDock: domedock.com

Luke Carrell is the founder of Side Coach Sports, a platform that connects young athletes with opportunities to train with veteran college players. After completing his undergraduate degree in marketing while playing baseball at the University of Oklahoma, Luke is now pursuing his MBA at Ohio State, all while continuing his baseball career.

The idea for Side Coach came from Luke’s own experience giving lessons to kids in his community. He noticed that young athletes were eager to learn from college players, and that college athletes were just as eager to mentor the next generation. Side Coach bridges that gap, creating a space where aspiring athletes can grow by learning directly from those already competing at the next level.

Side Coach Sports: sidecoachsports.com

Luke Carrell: LinkedIn  

Want to be on the podcast yourself, or know somebody who might be a good fit? Reach out to us ⁠here

Cole Piotrowski is a lifelong entrepreneur, former student-athlete, and now founder of McCarren Capital. While at Ole Miss, Cole launched Godors Spray, a cleaning product for athletic gear, and went on to win $10,000 at the SEC Pitch Competition. After graduating in May 2025, he shifted his focus to real estate, starting McCarren Capital, an advisory firm connecting private groups with investment opportunities. His story is a testament to the power of hard work and execution in your business.

Godors Spray: godors.com 

McCarren Capital: mccarrencapital.com 

LinkedIn: Cole Piotrowski 

Want to be on the podcast yourself, or know somebody who might be a good fit? Reach out to us ⁠here:

Mikey Schumacher is the founder of But Cute, a collectible plush brand that celebrates imperfections through storytelling and quirky designs. After completing his undergraduate degree in Advertising at the University of Colorado Boulder and graduate studies in Entrepreneurship at the University of Southern California, Mikey channeled his creative toy ideas into a brand built to resonate with people of all ages. Since launching But Cute at the end of 2024, he has won $35,000 of funding in a USC pitch competition, raised over $50,000 through Kickstarter, and is now raising capital from institutional investors. Mikey’s mission with But Cute is to inspire people to be “perfectlyimperfect.”

Want to be on the podcast yourself, or know somebody who might be a good fit? Reach out to us ⁠here:

Olkaris Marandu is a senior Business Management major at Auburn University and the founder of Glory EV, a startup empowering the future of electric mobility by installing EV chargers for both commercial and residential clients.

Between balancing his studies and serving in the Alabama National Guard, Olkaris has developed the discipline, work ethic, and perspective it takes to succeed as a student founder. Combined with a passion for sustainable energy, he’s building Glory EV with the mission of making access to electric vehicles seamless and practical for anyone in the Southeast.

Learn more about Glory EV:

Website: gloryevchargin.com 

Instagram: @gloryevcharging 

Connect with Olkaris:

LinkedIn: Olkaris Marandu

Want to be on the podcast yourself, or know somebody who might be a good fit? Reach out to us ⁠here.

Colin and Grant, graduates of Louisiana State University, are the CEO and CTO of Farm Smarter AI— a platform that gives farmers across the country a holistic understanding of best practices, regulations, and practical solutions for challenges like choosing the right seed, treating pests, and more.

Frustrated by how difficult it is for farmers to navigate complex regulations and countless options while still managing day-to-day work on the farm, they set out to build a truly farmer-focused tool. Farm Smarteruses AI (Agricultural Intelligence) to streamline the learning process so farmers cannot only stay compliant, but thrive.

What began as a project in an LSU AI class has grown into a nationally recognized startup. Colin and Grant have competed in multiple pitch competitions across the country, including the Rice Business Plan Competition ($100,000) and the Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup at the University of Louisiana Monroe ($50,000). Farm Smarter is now primed to be a major player in the untapped market of agricultural intelligence.

Colin and Grant’s journey shows what’s possible when cutting-edge technology meets one of the world’s oldest industries. In this episode, they share how Farm Smarter started in a classroom, grew into a nationally recognized company, and is now shaping the future of farming.

Whether you’re interested in AI, entrepreneurship, or the future of agriculture, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Learn more about Farm Smarter AI:

Website: Farm Smarter

Instagram: @farmsmarter_technolgies

Connect with Colin and Grant:

LinkedIn: Colin Raby

LinkedIn: Grant Muslow

Want to be on the podcast yourself, or know somebody who might be a good fit? Reach out to us ⁠here.

Ryder McNeal is a graduate student at Southern Methodist University and co-founder of Prevo Streaming, a platform for aspiring filmmakers to showcase their work. Frustrated by how hard it is for new creators to get their films in front of an audience, Ryder and his team built Prevo to be truly filmmaker-focused. Since launching last year, Prevo has streamed hundreds of films for thousands of viewers, and is now expanding with features that let audiences vote for their favorite entries in competitions and give filmmakers access to the supplies they need to bring their visions to life.

Learn more about Prevo Streaming:

Website: Prevo Streaming 

Connect with Ryder and Prevo Streaming:

LinkedIn: Ryder McNeal

LinkedIn: Prevo Streaming

Instagram: @prevostreaming

Download Prevo Streaming here:

Google Playstore: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.uscreen.prevo&pcampaignid=web_share

Apple Appstore: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/prevo/id6504887118

Want to be on the podcast yourself, or know somebody who might be a good fit? Reach out to us ⁠here⁠!

Graycen Hall is a graduate student at the University of Kentucky and co-founder of Madhouse Games. With a degree in neuroscience and a semester of board game design class, Graycen teamed up with her co-founder Claire Carpenter to launch their first game: a dueling robot card game that blends excitement with education. Their mission is to create games that are fun and engaging, all while helping you learn!

LinkedIn:

Graycen Hall
Claire Carpenter

Topics include:

Board game design, neuroscience, entrepreneurship, game development, science education, STEM, innovation, Kickstarter, creative expression, community engagement, product development, social impact, learning tools, academic journeys, startup stories, small business, play-testing, and game mechanics.

Collin Bishop is a student-athlete, finance and economics major, and entrepreneur at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He has competed in the Stumberg Competition at Trinity the last two years and is a student leader in the entrepreneurship program. Collin has multiple ventures he is pursuing and a great outlook on the life of a student founder.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collin-bishop-7a991b262/

Grafton Hearnsberger is a junior Business Administration major at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. He is the founder of ARCANE, a private network for the next generation of entrepreneurs, leaders, and visionaries. Grafton plans for ARCANE to be a place for innovators to connect and learn from each other, growing the world of entrepreneurship.

Website: ARCANE

Instagram: @ARCANE

LinkedIn: Grafton Hearnsberger

Instagram: @grxfton

Gabe Irvine is a student-athlete, finance and accounting major, and entrepreneur at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He is the founder of Interactive Investing Insights (3I), an app that leverages AI to help users learn how to invest successfully. Though still in the early stages of his venture, Gabe brings valuable insights into the financial world, the disruptive power of AI in the industry, and his strategy for capturing market share as a multi-talented student entrepreneur.

LinkedIn: Gabe Irvine

3I: Interactive Investing Insights

Vincent is a PhD student at UT Health San Antonio studying cancer biology. He is the co-founder and CEO of Powerhouse Therapeutics, leading advances in cell and gene therapy, as well as Head of Strategy for Nucleate, a student-run organization that represents the largest community of bio innovators. Vincent and his team at Powerhouse are passionate about making advances in cancer therapy, and are having extraordinary success. After finishing his dissertation, Vincent will continue running Powerhouse Therapeutics and pushing to make the world a better place

Website: powerhousetherapeutics.com 

LinkedIn: ⁠@powerhousetherapeutics

Nucleate: nucleate.org   

Nucleate Demo Day: Nucleate Demo Day 

Vincent Pham: Vincent Pham LinkedIn

Trace Bullinger is a senior Biology major at Abilene Christian University. He runs Boss Bats, sourcing and reselling used baseball bats, Simply Flowers, which sells bouquets and arrangements at ACU events, and has multiple side hustles as well. Trace’s goal after completing his degree is to gain experience in the medical field and potentially start his own business a few years into his career. Trace is a great example of how the entrepreneurial mindset can open up opportunities in something as simple as flowers and baseball bats.

Boss Bats Facebook: bossbats.facebook.com

Boss Bats Instagram: @bossbats  

Simply Flowers: @simplyflowers 

LinkedIn: Trace Bullinger

Austin is a recently graduated Computer Science major from Abilene Christian University. He is a co-founder of Zute Predictive, an AI-consulting company. Join us to dive into Austin's entrepreneurial story and learn fascinating new things about artificial intelligence and how young and experienced entrepreneurs alike can take advantage of it!

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/zute-predictive/

Website: https://zutepredictive.com/

Elianna is a senior Business Management major at Abilene Christian University. She is the owner of Xoxo Elle Boutique, which sells classy and chic outfits for professional women. Inspired by her own style, Elianna’s mission is to help young professionals dress to impress in every aspect of their life.

Website: xoxoelle.com 

Instagram: Xoxo Elle Boutique

Courtney is an alumni of Abilene Christian University with a major in Musical Theater and minor in Entrepreneurship. She is the owner of Love My Scalp, an all natural hair product company. Handmade in her house, Courtney’s products are made of ingredients you understand and trust. 

https://www.instagram.com/lovemyscalp_?igsh=MTUwcTZ1ejF6YnFmNA==

Blaize is a junior Business Management major at Abilene Christian University. He is the founder of Hard Work Realized, creating uniquely designed socks for powerlifters like himself. In 2020, Blaize won 2nd at Powerlifting America Collegiate Nationals and 9th at the FISU Collegiate World Championship in Estonia. The mission of Hard Work Realized is to offer powerlifters cool, personalized equipment to show off while competing.

Website: hardworkrealized.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blaizewhitaker78

Logan McSorley and Noah Wooten own and run Kefia Lemonade, a homemade lemonade brand based in Abilene, Texas. Logan, Kefia’s CEO, is a junior Psychology major at Abilene Christian University. Noah, Head of Operations, is a junior Animal Science major also at ACU. What started as a class project has turned into a way to share the spirit of joy through delicious lemonade!

Website: Kefia Lemonade

Instagram: @kefia.lemonade

Savanna is a sophomore Business Management major at Abilene Christian University. She's the founder of Bloom Marketing Strategies - a comprehensive marketing service she founded at the age of 14. Inspired by her entrepreneurial parents, she cultivated a business mindset early and has grown Bloom into a six-figure company.

Website: bloommarketingstrategies.com

Instagram: @bloommarketingstrategies

Josh is a junior Business Management major at Abilene Christian University. He’s the founder of Cast & Feed, creating apparel that blends southern tradition, Christian mission, and a passion for God’s creation. While many brands celebrate either faith or the southern outdoors, few bring the two together with real purpose. "Cast" is inspired by Matthew 4:19—“fishers of men,” while "Feed" comes from John 21:17—“feed My sheep.” His mission is simple: to create high-quality gear that sparks faith, fuels adventure, and points people back to the Creator.

Website: castandfeed.com

Instagram: @castandfeed

Wes is a senior Business Management major at Abilene Christian University. He was born in Pottstown, PA and moved to the UK at the age of 14 before moving back to Texas. He has a huge love for the outdoors. Wes is the founder of Seen - an adaptive outdoor equipment company for those with physical differences such as himself. His business’ mission: to help people with disabilities know that they are loved and seen by the same God who created the beauty of creation around them.

Instagram: @seen.outdoors