{"id":827,"date":"2021-01-29T21:55:20","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T21:55:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.umflint.edu\/som\/?p=827"},"modified":"2021-03-05T21:16:43","modified_gmt":"2021-03-05T21:16:43","slug":"a-recent-grads-transition-to-a-full-time-entrepreneur-operating-three-small-businesses-januarys-amaizeing-alumni","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.umflint.edu\/som\/2021\/01\/29\/a-recent-grads-transition-to-a-full-time-entrepreneur-operating-three-small-businesses-januarys-amaizeing-alumni\/","title":{"rendered":"A Recent Grad’s Transition to a full-time Entrepreneur Operating Three Small Businesses: January\u2019s aMaizeing Alumni"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By<\/em><\/strong> Alexis Menard<\/strong><\/a> on January 29, 2021 4:55 pm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alumna, Kayla Laird graduated with honors from UM-Flint\u2019s School of Management with a BBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management in 2020. Before transferring to UM-Flint, Kayla attended C.S. Mott Community College where she earned her Associates of Arts and Associates of Business Administration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayla currently owns and operates three businesses full-time;  Lord Laird\u2019s Premium Lemonade\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>, Queen Netzo Jewelry<\/a>, and Mobars. In November, she won the Pitch 4K competition<\/a> and is currently participating in another business pitch competition to try to win an additional $11,000. 

As our featured Alumni of the month, Kayla gives insight into her experiences at UM-Flint, her proudest accomplishment of winning more than $8,000 for her businesses, why she became an entrepreneur, and advice for students that are considering being their own boss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: <\/strong>Degree(s) and graduation year:
A:<\/strong> University of Michigan-Flint \u2013 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management, BBA 2020 \u2013 Honors<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q:<\/strong> Pursuing another degree?
A:<\/strong> Not currently, maybe in the near future I\u2019ll go for my Masters!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q:<\/strong> Where are you currently working and what is your title? How long have you been in this position or at this organization? What is your normal day to day?
A:<\/strong> I have finally made the switch from working as a Project Manager at 100K Ideas<\/a> into becoming a full-time, self-employed, multi-passionate entrepreneur! I am a young entrepreneur with a passion for creating healthy and sustainable products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I currently have two businesses, the first, Lord Laird\u2019s Premium Lemonade\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>, specializing in all-organic health drinks, and Queen Netzo Jewelry<\/a>, specializing in handmade wire-wrapped Swarovski Crystal\u00ae<\/sup> rings in memory of my mother Kennette Laird. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When I began to get into jewelry at the age of 7, my mother was battling breast cancer. With the help of my Aunt Myra, I started a new hobby making all sorts of jewelry. Whenever I would visit, my aunt would always be making a new necklace, bracelet, or earrings of some sort. She taught me all of the basic techniques I needed to know in order to make creations with integrity. I made jewelry for my mother to wear as well as everyone who helped around the house during that time of need. With my dad being a pillar of support of my passion, the name \u201cQueen Netzo Jewelry\u201d has stuck ever since 2007. I felt the need to keep the name because it reminds me that she will always be the QUEEN in my heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I am currently developing a new business called Mobars, specializing in creating homemade luxe energy bars made with everyday essentials for a great breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, or even dessert!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have been an entrepreneur since the age of eight, always having the desire to become a businesswoman, looking to market, sale, and make a profit. On a normal day to day, I usually start my morning off with an hour workout. After working out, it usually gives me all the energy I need for the day to either produce 12+ gallons of lemonade, 100+ Mobars, or create new Swarovski Crystal rings for my customers. It’s been a great transition especially being able to remain stable during a pandemic. I am so excited for what is to come! \u2661<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: <\/strong>Why did you choose UM-Flint for your BBA?
A:<\/strong> I have always known The University of Michigan to be a top-tier school! I was so glad that I could get a quality education for a fraction of the cost at the UM-Flint branch. It\u2019s such a great school for entrepreneurship and innovation, and it\u2019s also close to home, which I love!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: <\/strong>What is one of your favorite experiences at UM-Flint?
A:<\/strong> Meeting my favorite professor MRS. RITAAAAAA FIELDS has been one of the best experiences I have ever had. Going to her classes were by far the most fun I had during college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: <\/strong>Why did you choose to go into the career path you are currently in?
A:<\/strong> I\u2019ve always wanted to be my own boss, so it only made sense to be an entrepreneur!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: <\/strong>What is one of your proudest accomplishments so far?
A: <\/strong>Winning over $8,070<\/a> for my businesses has been one of my proudest accomplishments thus far. Currently, I am in a pitch competition to win up to $11,000 and I could not be more excited!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: <\/strong>What advice would you give students that are thinking of pursuing a career as an entrepreneur?
A: <\/strong>My advice would be the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n