When junior criminal justice major and student athlete Alissa O’Dell started braiding her teammates’ hair on the way to basketball meets, she got introduced to the idea of starting her own business. Only charging ten to fifteen dollars in high school, coming to college O’Dell started her Instagram and website which has her booking clients left and right, building Lissaschair.
“Since starting my brand I am serious about it, and know it can take me far,” O’Dell said.
Throughout nationwide college campuses, students like O’Dell are thinking outside the box and starting their own business right inside their dorm rooms. College can be expens
ive with tuition, necessities, and leisure activities resulting in money adding up quickly. From services from nails, clothing, hair, etc,. students are able to save money while building a business that reflects their authentic selves and passions. Not only are these students providing their top quality services, they are also balancing heavy schedules with extracurriculars, sports, coursework, and more.
Talking to student entrepreneurs on campus gives a closer look into how young business owners are able to balance their time with the pressure of servicing clients, school demands, and time for themselves. According to the Student Entrepreneurship Monitor 2025 from Start Base, around one in five students say that they could see themselves starting their own business in college. Tapping into the growing passion for entrepreneurship, 3,000 startups are surfacing onto campus environments every year, with an “untapped potential of up to 18,000 new start-ups per year” according to Start Base.
Growing up, O’Dell’s mom didn’t know how to braid her hair, so later she taught herself skills that would flourish from a helpful gesture braiding teammates’ hair, to a steady business with a large stream of clients working right inside her dorm. Taking her business seriously, she took her online presence further by having professional photo shoots done to promote her work and services to further expand her brand.
“I grew up struggling with financial situations, now knowing I won’t be in that situation when I’m older. Sometimes I am tired, but I know I have to get up and stay motivated,” O’Dell said.
Social media platforms have been extremely helpful for student entrepreneurs to showcase their work and services to connect with customers and communicate logistic and schedules in a timely manner. Besides social media, peer communication and word of mouth is also extremely beneficial to get the word around about student services they provide right in your dorm building, perhaps being one of your neighbors.
Another student entrepreneur on Loyola’s campus, Leila Mariee, a sophomore business finance major, has been growing her nail business, Glam by Leila, using Instagram to showcase her clients nails and the work she can provide to prospective clients.
“Ive always done nails on myself, but since coming to college I can use this skill and turn it into a business. I love the flexibility it offers, rather than having a traditional job, especially being a student athlete,” Mariee says.
In the beginning it started as a side hustle, but as time went on Mariee knew she could use her skills to turn it into something bigger. Students being able to make their own schedule for work can be an easier balance, especially having tight packed schedules like Mariee and O’Dell do.
Student Entrepreneurship Monitor 2025 from Start Base’s monitor indicates that the next generation of college students are wanting to create their own start ups and explore the world of entrepreneurship, starting right in their dorm room.
“The motivation stems primarily from idealistic values; personal fulfillment, self efficacy, and the creative power in one’s own project are at the forefront” Start Base said.
Mariee wants people to know if you have a potential idea or something you’re really passionate about, go for it and take a bet on yourself.
“When I first started nails I wasn’t as good as I am now, it takes time and practice and believing in yourself,” Mariee said.
As college students step into a new era of their education and life, new ideas evolve, furthering the push for individuals to start their own brand and expressing their creativity for business owners and clients to enjoy and benefit from. College entrepreneurs show you can start anywhere when you put your mind to it, letting your passions drive you to a point of success.
