Student Startups: NineaPair
Student Entrepreneur
LTCL is starting a new series of articles that highlight a startup business that student(s) from across the nation are currently working on.
If you like the idea, show your support and click the like button and checking out the startup’s website! You never know, maybe it will be the next Facebook….
If you have business or know of a student with a business? Let us know!
Ray Troy is arguably one of the busiest students on the University of Missouri (Mizzou) campus. Ray is a grad student, entrepreneur, volunteer, and resident adviser– working toward his PhD in nuclear engineering, he still makes time to sell sunglasses on the side.
He started his first business in 2007 with zero experience. Now, one of his sites, www.nineapair.com, is one of the largest selling websites for cheap sunglasses on the internet. LTCL asked Ray why he decided to start this business in the first place– after all, he is on his way to a PhD in Nuclear Engenering. He surely wont be needing the income once he graduates. Ray explained: “I simply woke up one day and felt like starting a business, so I did.”
The following tips are from Ray for any student who is thinking about starting a business while in college:
Balancing a student schedule and a business is very difficult but worth it. The best time to start a business is while you are in school. You have the time, resources (mainly from the university), and nothing to lose. Here is a little list to help juggle running a business and excelling in school.
- Make a list of stuff to do and check off something it at least once a day.
- Make a schedule and stick to it. Time management and self control is crucial.
- Use a calendar. I like to use my phone’s calendar because it is always in my pocket.
- Throw away your TV.
If you are thinking of starting a business, do it. It may be a daunting task but break it down into smaller chunks and put a small task on the list mentioned above. If you do one small thing a day next thing you know your business is up and running. I always got my school work done first and then ran my business after all my homework and studying was done. This is where the time management really helped.
If you feel you need any help feel free to contact me, .
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LTCL
