Going into college, entrepreneurship always piqued my interest. I have always enjoyed seeing my work pay off and knowing I directly contributed to it. About eight months ago, I started an online design business offering digital products for individuals and small businesses.
I have always had a creative side, but I never realized I could turn that passion into something other people would value. Starting this venture has been both rewarding and eye-opening. It has improved my outlook on what it means to be a small entrepreneur and taught me lessons I never expected to learn so early in life.
In just eight months, my small business has grown enough to support my personal financial needs. While I am excited about the possibility of reaching six figures in revenue by the end of the year, I try to stay focused on the bigger picture: growth, consistency, and learning along the way.
I encourage anyone in college to take time to reflect on their passions, even if it is something you only feel “slightly good at.” With some patience and effort, you may be surprised by what you can build. Here are a few lessons I have learned so far:
1. Time management is everything
Balancing a business with engineering coursework is not easy. Between labs, exams, and client projects, I quickly realized how important it was to prioritize and plan ahead. I had to get comfortable saying no when I did not have the bandwidth and treating deadlines for school and clients with equal importance.
I like to think of time as a pie chart. We each have twenty-four hours. Once I accounted for class, assignments, sleep, cooking, and other essentials, I started to see where I was inefficient. From there, I carved out space for my business.
2. Working with clients builds real-world skills
In school, projects often stay within the classroom. Running a business, however, means working with real people who depend on you to deliver. Every client has different needs, styles, and communication preferences. Learning to listen, adapt, and meet expectations sharpened my communication and problem-solving skills.
As an engineering student, my classes are not always people-focused. Because of that, I found this experience especially valuable. It helped me develop skills that I can carry into any professional environment.
3. Building something from scratch is empowering
There is something incredibly rewarding about taking an idea and making it real. My business started small, but over time I built systems, improved my designs, and gained confidence in what I was offering.
This journey taught me that you do not need to wait until after graduation to create something meaningful. In fact, I believe there is no better time than now. The process gave me confidence that has carried over into other areas of my life as well.
4. Side hustles can strengthen your future
Running a business in college is not just about earning extra money, although that certainly helps. It is also about gaining experience, building new skills, and showing yourself that you can create opportunities outside of the classroom.
In my case, this business gave me financial stability but also a deeper sense of independence and resilience. It is something I can point to in interviews or on a resume, and I know it reflects initiative and adaptability.
Final Thoughts
Running a small business while being a full-time student has required long nights and discipline, but it has been worth it. It has taught me adaptability, responsibility, and confidence in my ability to face challenges.
If you have been thinking about starting a side hustle in college, my advice is simple: go for it. Start small, stay consistent, and be willing to learn as you go. You never know where it might take you.