Balancing books and business, students find success as entrepreneurs

She's an aspiring sign language interpreter majoring in criminal justice, working on the production line at Kellogg by day and building her burgeoning lip gloss business by night. He's a budding fashion designer with a minor in fashion merchandising who just switched his major from engineering design to University studies in order to expand his knowledge base and make the most of his last year at WMU. Driven by their passion to succeed, seniors Tasia Richardson and Shelby Cotton aren't waiting until graduation to get their careers going.

Cotton and Richardson, who grew up together in Battle Creek, Michigan, are both Future Force scholars. The program is a partnership between the Southwestern Michigan Urban League and Western Michigan University, offering a full scholarship to students in the Cereal City who complete an intensive program throughout the four years of high school that focuses on building college readiness, developing leadership skills and volunteering in the community, while also excelling in the classroom.

"They were in my first group of youth leadership students," says Cassandra Portes, a WMU alumna and program specialist with the Southwestern Michigan Urban League. "When I say they exemplified leadership in such a great way, they did not miss a beat. It does not surprise me (Tasia and Shelby) are pursuing something, creating their own business and maintaining it."

a 'eunique' endeavor

Richardson's business, Eunique Kisses, focuses on both health and beauty. After having trouble finding long-lasting lip gloss that didn't dry out her lips, she decided to make her own.

"I'm passionate about my product because I make it myself," she says. Despite a few bumps in the beginning of her journey—including launching a business during a pandemic—Richardson kept at it and pushed on toward her dream. "The process of getting my business up and running started with doing a lot of research on things that are good on lips, benefits from certain ingredients and also my main focus was marketing."

On a typical day over the summer, Richardson would work in the factory from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., take about an hour break, and then work until about midnight at home perfecting and packaging her lip gloss recipes, developing marketing strategies and handling sales. She'll continue growing Eunique Kisses throughout the school year from her apartment while also introducing prospective students to the WMU campus as a student ambassador and tour guide.

"Most nights I'm falling asleep doing the lip gloss, but it's always worth it," says Richardson.

FASHION FORWARD

Cotton's business, Lukewarm Apparel, is also a passion project. Initially interested in engineering, he found inspiration mixing his design skills with his love for clothing and fashion.

"I got my business off the ground by mixing my apparel with photography," says Cotton, who designs all of the pieces in his streetwear line with messages related to his brand. "Lukewarm pretty much symbolizes having balance in life that comes with persistence."

The clothing line, which he launched in 2018, gives Cotton an outlet to express himself creatively and push his own boundaries as a designer. It also boosts his performance in the classroom.

"Having a business while being a student keeps me organized, busy and engaged," says Cotton, adding that the financial guidance he received in the Future Force program helped him grow and build his future as well.

While the scholarship money was a big factor in initially bringing them to WMU, both Cotton and Richardson say there's no place they'd rather be—Western feels like home.

"WMU has brought out my true colors," Cotton says. "It definitely has opened up opportunities."

"Western has pushed me to challenge myself. I honestly don't think I would've had as much courage as I did with Eunique Kisses if I wasn't attending Western," Richardson adds. "I'm proud to be a Bronco because we inspire each other, we motivate each other, and the atmosphere is unmatched."