Being in college is not just about going to classes anymore. For a lot of Gen Zers, it offers the opportunity to turn their passion into a business, using social media and word of mouth. With friends turning into models and classmates as first customers, campuses provide the perfect space to scale businesses.
With friends turning into models and classmates as first customers, campuses provide the perfect space to scale businesses (Pics: AI, @ishmuseum )
‘College is a testing ground for trends’What better place to find potential customers than your college fest and canteen? Isha Saxena, who recently graduated from DU’s Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College, started a thrift store online says, “My friends supported me by modelling for pictures, helping with reels, and ordering from my store. College gave me a direct connection to my target audience. It was like having a live testing ground for trends and styles.” She believes becoming a business owner in college gave her a head start. “I could test styles, pricing, content ideas, and get instant feedback from people around me. Being surrounded by students helped me understand trends and my audience naturally. Starting early allowed me to make mistakes and learn before turning it into a full-time business. It gave me a head start not just financially, but mentally as an entrepreneur.”Creative outlet for academic stressFor most students, their business started out as a hobby but it didn’t lose its creativity. “Acting as a creative outlet, crochet allows me to experiment with different designs, colours, and ideas, which makes the process very fulfilling. Crafting an item is very calming and meditative, so whenever I work on new pieces, it helps me relax a little and take a break from the pressures of college work and also feel excited,” Rishu says.
Learning through trial and error, these Gen Z entrepreneurs are shaping how small businesses work (AI image)
‘Shaped me into a stronger version of myself’Learning through trial and error, these Gen Z entrepreneurs are shaping how small businesses work, while also working on personal growth. Laiba has noticed a change in herself after she became a business owner. “It has also helped me grow socially. I used to be very antisocial, but now I’m much more interactive and confident. Running this business has truly shaped me into a stronger version of myself,” she says.‘Social media, fests give a boost’University fests boost stalls and pop-ups as attendees get a taste of their batchmates’ work. Crochet artist and baker Areeba Rasheed, a master’s student at Jamia Millia Islamia, has had a similar experience as she often puts up stalls to sell her crochet flowers and accessories, and freshly baked brownies. “College fests give me the opportunity to showcase my products and help me find new customers for my business,” she says. Starting out on social media is not only easy but ideal. “Social media is the first place Gen Z discovers new brands. Having a clear identity and active presence helps small businesses like mine build visibility and trust, showcase products creatively and connect directly with customers,” shares Rishu Bainwal, a bachelor’s student at Ambedkar University Delhi, who has her own crochet business.
University fests boost stalls and pop-ups as attendees get a taste of their batchmates’ work (Inset: @blessed_mess)
Laiba Ansari, a bachelor’s student at Jamia Millia Islamia, was eager to make a difference with charity work. A hijabi herself, she started by selling hijabs on Instagram. She now runs a physical store for modest clothing, managing a team of five. “I didn’t know it would turn into a full business, but that’s how it began. I just made an Instagram page and started posting for fun, as a hobby. I wasn’t thinking long-term or planning a brand,” she shares.Juggling business and lecturesTalking about balancing the business with studies, Isha says, “I was very intentional with my time. I used to separate days for studying and days for managing orders, shoots, and sourcing. The motivation came from knowing I was building something of my own while still completing my education.” Personal connections and motivation from clients are half the charm of small businesses. “The constant support from my friends and family motivates me to continue managing both my studies and my business...appreciation encourages me to keep going,” Areeba shares.
