Do the Work That Feeds Your Soul

Written by Taylor Clark, #WakeEntrepreneur and Summer Intern 

As I reflect upon my experiences this summer, one word comes to my mind– growth. The growth of a beautiful brand. Relational growth. Professional growth. Personal growth.

My summer internship with Solarté Collections has taught me so many skills, but most importantly, I learned so much about myself and how to best grow in an entrepreneurial setting. During my time, I was responsible for a variety of projects. My main accomplishment was in the creation of our Kickstarter Campaign.

I initially knew very little about the crowdfunding platform and had my research cut out for me. I looked at hundreds of successful campaigns, read through Kickstarter statistics, and endless crowdfunding blogs. I was responsible for communicating our brand to backers. I utilized my skills in graphic design to craft an aesthetically pleasing landing page that artfully presented a beautiful project and mission.

One of my favorite aspects of the project was identifying other campaigns and witnessing so many varieties of innovation. Entrepreneurship comes in all shapes and sizes but there is one common denominator– passion. Only 36.2% of Kickstarter campaigns are successful, but when creators launch their projects for the world to see and support, they are driven by their passion. With launching a Kickstarter Campaign, comes risks which are important to be exposed to in the world of entrepreneurship.

As a Wake Entrepreneur, I have been exposed to the notions of passion and calculated risks, as well as many other teachings that I have put to use during my internship. I have discussed social entrepreneurship in many courses, so it has been a wonderful experience to be a part of a company with such a strong social mission. Solarté’s mission is an integral part of the brand and must be thoughtfully presented in all mediums.

In Wake Entrepreneurship courses, we learn about the process of entrepreneurship from start to finish and what this entails. Being a part of the day to day activities of a flourishing startup turns these teachings into a lifestyle and unveils the outer layers of a business to reveal true innovation.

My experience this summer will help me in my own entrepreneurial endeavors. I have developed my skills in digital media and learned a variety of social media strategies. By interacting with local businesses and retailers, I have learned to effectively foster business relationships. As a result of planning Solarté events, I know strategies to best increase sales and company awareness. Through partnerships and sponsor outreach, I have learned how to communicate professionally with many different types of professionals. These skills can only be truly learned and developed through action and I am confident they will help me as an entrepreneur.

While all of my experiences this summer will make a difference in my personal and professional growth, some aspects were more challenging than others. My biggest challenge was stepping outside of my comfort zone to network with professionals and communicate with a variety of influencers and businesses. In overcoming this challenge, I have honed my networking skills.

This internship provided me with the knowledge and skills to succeed in any professional setting. Additionally, I have learned so much about myself. Due of the nature of startups, I was often challenged with working on my own with little guidance to complete a variety of tasks. This showed me that I am independent. Given so much responsibility, I was encouraged to succeed in everything I did which instilled confidence in my work. I was proud of each completed task and I learned that my skills ranged wider than I ever knew!

This internship enhanced my educational pursuit by complementing my Communication major and Entrepreneurship minor to add an additional layer of real-world experience to prepare me for working life upon graduation. By being a part of the development of Solarté, I have had the opportunity to learn more about the beauty industry and many different aspects of business including: partnerships, development strategies, marketing campaigns, influencers, and the connections to the nonprofit world – all of which strengthened my personal development while aligning with my career goals.

Upon graduation I plan to work in the stylish lifestyle industry to pursue a career in strategic branding. I would love to eventually start my own business and working with the development of a startup spoke to my entrepreneurial spirit and allowed me to grow in more ways than I could have imagined.