LiveYourDash Entrepreneurs Scholarship

The Roach Family Scholarship provides a remarkable opportunity for me to express my profound appreciation for the world of entrepreneurship and how it has become an integral part of my life's purpose. My journey as an aspiring entrepreneur began with humble origins but has been significantly shaped by a powerful source of inspiration: my family. Growing up in a household where entrepreneurship was celebrated, I was exposed to the trials and triumphs that came with building a business from scratch. My parents, the driving force behind a successful local enterprise, instilled in me the values of hard work, perseverance, and creativity. Witnessing their unwavering determination during challenging times was a defining moment for me, igniting the spark of entrepreneurship within my soul. From a young age, I found myself captivated by the idea of being a problem solver and creating innovative solutions that could positively impact people's lives. This inherent curiosity and drive to make a difference spurred me to pursue extracurricular activities that allowed me to explore my entrepreneurial inclinations further. Participating in business competitions and attending entrepreneurship workshops exposed me to a network of like-minded individuals, expanding my horizons and fueling my ambition. Throughout my journey, I have encountered various entrepreneurial role models who have left an indelible mark on my aspirations. The stories of individuals who dared to dream big, disrupt industries, and change the world have been a source of immense inspiration. Entrepreneurs like Sara Blakely, who defied societal norms and founded Spanx, or Steve Jobs, whose visionary leadership revolutionized the tech industry, have shown me the power of resilience and innovation. Their unwavering belief in their ideas, coupled with the ability to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success, taught me invaluable lessons about tenacity and the significance of pushing boundaries. As I set my sights on pursuing higher education and honing my entrepreneurial skills, the Roach Family Scholarship offers not only financial support but also a validation of my chosen path. This recognition reinforces my belief in myself and my ability to make a meaningful impact through entrepreneurship. In conclusion, the Roach Family Scholarship holds special significance for me as it symbolizes the appreciation and support of the entrepreneurial spirit that has been nurtured within me. From my family's influence to the inspiration drawn from extraordinary entrepreneurs, my journey has been shaped by a passion for innovation and a desire to create positive change. With the scholarship's backing, I am committed to pursuing my dreams and cultivating the entrepreneurial spark within me, determined to leave a lasting impact on the world through my ventures. As I embark on this exciting path, I am eager to learn from diverse perspectives, embrace challenges with an open mind, and forge ahead with unwavering determination. With the Roach Family Scholarship, I can take the next steps in my entrepreneurial journey with a sense of purpose and the assurance that my dreams are both valued and achievable. Through this scholarship, I hope to not only elevate my aspirations but also to honor the spirit of entrepreneurship that has been the driving force behind my journey thus far.

I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Even at a young age, I would sell candy, lemonade, old toys I didn't want anymore, and anything that would make me a little bit of money. As I got older, I realized my dream of owning a business by opening a landscaping company. I didn't know how to run the office side of the business, though, and it eventually failed. As it turns out, keeping the books and things organized is integral to the company. My father ran a few businesses when I was growing up, but he failed at each one he did. I got my entrepreneurial spirit from him, but it wasn't until I started landscaping when I was 17 that I found the drive to run my own business. My boss was very encouraging at the time and taught me everything I needed to know to provide good landscaping services to customers. He always encouraged me to better myself, learn more, and get licensure where required. I have kept in touch with him over the years, and he is the one who ultimately encouraged me to start my own landscaping company. Although the company failed due to bad management, I am thankful for his encouragement and inspiration to step out on my own. What is exciting about being an entrepreneur, more than the ability to make as little or as much money as I desire, is watching something go from undesirable to desirable in a matter of hours, days, or weeks. The constant challenge to create something beautiful is invigorating. I love to take something that may be ugly to most and turn it into something everyone would love to have. My desire to learn the necessary steps in running a successful business trumps my lack of continuous formal higher education. I have a reason to get the degree. I do not want to fail again in any venture I set out to do. Failure is not an option. I have dipped my toes in the water and have seen what running a business can do for my family and me. I do not look at my last business as a failure. I look at it as a lesson learned of what not to do. Now I need to know what should be done. I am pursuing a business degree to learn what I need to know to run a successful business when I venture out on my own again. I am not sure what company I want to start yet, but I want to do something that will better my community in a lasting way. Something that will impact people's lives positively. I want the company to last, and I can ensure that with a business degree. The company could provide jobs for many people from all walks of life and be a beacon of hope to many that a job could be more than a job. The company could create an atmosphere that encourages the desire to come to work and perform their best. I believe that the job force could benefit from a company that sincerely cares about its employees just as much as it does its customers. Overall, winning this scholarship will help me obtain the business degree to help me start a company with an excellent employee atmosphere that encourages positive development. It might be a newer idea, but happy employees create an environment conducive to satisfied customers.

Completing a new collection feels like scratching the eternal itch on my spirit to express myself artistically. As a fashion entrepreneur, I create designs that inform and inspire. My excitement comes from the idea of knowing that someone out there, in a state that I have never been to, supports the vision I created. I started my brand, Myne Mane, by customizing shoes at the age of 16. I was 17 when I began selling apparel out of 5+ stores in Chicago though I am based in Miami, FL. My first bulk order of 50 hoodies sold out in stores during the winter without any marketing campaigns. April 6th, 2021, marks the day Myne Mane became trademarked. Myne Mane is where creativity creates culture. The brand designs apparel inspired by local urban youth cultures. Through wearable technology, every garment, when scanned from afar, can educate consumers on its cultural aspects. It can also be purchased directly. The brand believes that ‘street’ or ‘urban’ wear should pay tribute to the background of their creators, urban youth. Urban cultures, whether nationwide or international, are very distinct from one another but they are not formally recognized. For instance, the culture found in the boroughs of Newyork are much different than Inglewood, California or Houston, TX. As a result, streetwear has become its own form of cultural expression and identification. However, the lack of cultural representation has led youth to create their own brands and patterns that communicate messages that we are familiar with and attracted to. My inspiration comes from the inner-city youth I have networked with around the country. We would discuss the psychological impact of their environment. I found that the graffiti on the walls, the dance battles that breakout at any time of the day, and wearing the newest sneakers and matching outfits even with uniform codes is an emotional outlet. Every creation of urban youth says “This is where I come from and this is who I am.” I aspire to provide youth the opportunity to express themselves and represent their cultural identity. This will generate a positive impact on our mental health and self-esteem. In the footsteps of Virgil Abloh, my goal is to recreate streetwear by creating designs representative of local urban areas. He constantly talked about giving urban youth opportunities in the fashion industry. I hope to use Roach Family’s scholarship to support my personal mission to become a gateway for urban youth into the fashion industry and my brands mission of representing youth cultural identity.

My name is Erich Zahn. I am majoring in Business Entrepreneurship with a minor in Music. I am excited to open my own music school one day. I plan to have a place where kids can learn all aspects of music. My dream is to have a safe place for the next generation to come and jam with friends. The kids will be able to learn how to play many different instruments while also learning how to play together as a band. I plan to have the kids perform in different venues both inside and outside. I hope to help the music industry grow. I don't see very many new bands or individual artists taking the world by storm anymore. Where are today's Rod Stewarts OR Billy Joels? I don't see any bands that would be able to fill places like Madison Square Garden. We need more bands like Chicago or Guns and Roses. I hope to help kids that have dreams to reach for the stars like these famous performers did reach their full capacity for their talents. I have been playing Saxophone for 7 years. I plan to take my love for music and my Entrepreneurship skills and blend them together to become a successful business owner. While doing so I will give young kids a safe place to spend time creating a lifetime of memories and friendships. I was inspired to pursue this path because of my own experiences. I was able to join bands in middle school and high school. However, there is nothing outside of school. There is no place for kids to go to hang out and just play music. In school we have to play the songs the teachers and the curriculum dictate to us. If we had a place to go outside of school we would be able to play the music we like to play. We could learn to play the music of our favorite artists or challenge ourselves to learn something we have never heard before. Once my business gets off the ground I also hope to help throughout the community. My idea is to help low-income children be able to come to my music school. I will offer lower monthly tuition based on household income. If needed I will also offer a free service to households that simply can't afford for their children to join the music school. It is more important for these children to have a safe place to spend time with their peers. I hope to one day be a positive influence in my community and in the lives of young musicians. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship and for helping my dreams become a reality.

Many people have aspirations of starting their own business. However, it helped to realize that there are other things to consider. Do I have what it takes to meet the challenge of the outside world? I must question myself. Not everyone has the foresight, originality, and imagination to start their own business. One needs to be disciplined to reach their goals, have a positive outlook, accept responsibility, and act when an opportunity arises. While many individuals prefer the stability of a steady job and depend on a weekly salary, entrepreneurs are willing to take chances and do not have the luxury of knowing their income in advance. As a result, entrepreneurs like myself must motivate others, which shouldn't be difficult given the enthusiasm that entrepreneurs already have for their companies. In this situation, communicating and getting along with others is crucial. For a team to be motivated, the ability to articulate a vision and inspire others to embrace it is crucial. That is why it's crucial to have certain objectives in mind when making future plans and be aware of the steps necessary to get there. My long-term objective is to manage my own business investment firm and create jobs for my home country, Ivory Coast. During my finance class, I learned that Africa needs more outstanding help for small and medium-sized businesses, which inspired this goal. I also discovered during the course that African politicians do not promote those kinds of businesses because of colonialism and corruption. Most African leaders steal from their nation's diligent citizens. By creating this company, I can help people by giving them modest loans, educating them on how to succeed both in the short and long term, and also giving them supplies and equipment. I have already written my own market research and business plans. Additionally, I learned that there is no market for business-to-business investment, which reduces competitiveness in this sector. Accounting and creativity are two skills I already have that will help me achieve my dream. My goals are to pursue many business management certificates and degrees while also helping my mother's small food company. I need to have excellent social skills and be at ease interacting with others to establish any business. Tough, I suffer with interactions because of my social anxiety disorder and a recent episode of depression brought on by the stress of my job, school, and Covid-19. I want to improve on them and inspire people. I conclude that as a leader and businessperson, I want to be a role model for everyone, the person who was always willing to lend a hand and was there for you whenever you needed them. Therefore, my legacy should highlight the good things I accomplished throughout my lifetime.