Here on campus, student entrepreneurship is taking shape in new ways. For many people who are just getting started, it can get pretty easy to get wrapped up in the process of it all.
But for these two friends, the small business they opened together has become a defining part of their college experience.
Founded by co-owners Faith Mesina, sophomore studio arts major, and Odessa Haw Tay, a senior art education major, Jueforia is a jewelry business that specializes in handmade pieces such as beaded rings, necklaces, earrings and phone charms.
“I myself had experience making jewelry back in high school, but I never thought about turning it into an actual business. So that’s why when I pitched the idea to my two friends, I was like, I have some experience in this stuff. I could just teach you how to make all this other jewelry. Then I said ‘if you want to do it, let’s do it. I’m totally serious about it.’ And they said, ‘let’s totally do this,’” Mesina said. “We started it pretty much after I pitched that idea to my friends back then. I believe that was maybe January or February of like 2025, so it’s been a little over a year.”
Mesina shared how her and a couple friend’s idea went from fun sleepover activities to tables at campus markets, the pair bonding over shared ambition and a love of jewelry making.
“It started because me, Odessa, another friend, all met in class together and we eventually just became very close. We would hang out all the time, and we are all actually arts students, so we met in class anyway,” Mesina said. “Obviously we love to do little crafts, so one day while we were having a sleepover, we decided to make friendship bracelets for one another…We were just like, this is actually really fun. I would actually consider doing a business out of this cause this is really easy to do.”
Mesina expressed some challenges the two faced in the beginning phases of launching Jueforia.
Between classes, assignments and a mirage of other responsibilities that come with being a full-time college student, making time for the business was a driving force in its success.
“For both of us, we are pretty busy individuals and I would say like we just try to make like a lot of effort into planning stuff ahead of time,” Mesina said. “The only way we kind of like are able to have our business on track, and keep things in check before markets, we have to physically say ‘here on this day, at this specific time, let’s try to work on like setting up our booth, improving our jewelry, check what we don’t have’ and you know, kind of just work on the business.”
While mixing business with personal relationships can sometimes lead to sticky situations, Mesina and Haw Tay’s friendship has been a major advantage in marketing their business.
“Between me and Odessa, I’d say I’m the more outgoing person between the both of us. So it kind of helps as a duo, she usually handles making the sales, keeping track of who has bought what. Then I try to converse with the person and keep them interested and maybe even convince them to buy something else. Like you’re already here, you might as well buy something else,” Mesina said.
Through gained experience that extends beyond the classroom, such as time management, communication and problem-solving, networking on campus has also played a role in the businesses growth with connections across the Huskie community contributing to their visibility.
From acts such as word-of-mouth promotions to joining social organizations on campus, the relationships formed through just being involved can be just as important as the business itself.
“When I came into college, I wasn’t actually the most outgoing person actually. When I was in high school, I didn’t join clubs or anything like and I regret it. So that’s why when I came into college, I was like, hey, I’m gonna try to join lots of clubs, lots of organizations, try to put myself out there,” Mesina said. “ Networking and communicating was one of the things I learned while here at school.”
For students who are looking to start a business, the networking you do during college serves as a tool, not just for social connection, but professional connections as well.
As student entrepreneurs, Mesina and Haw Tay are proving that dedication, hard work and a little bit of confidence can take a small idea and realize it into something bigger.
For more on Jueforia and any future events that they may be at, visit their Instagram.