College is billed as the place for young adults to pursue their dreams while receiving a degree in their field of interest. However, some discover their passion lies beyond a lecture hall and on a more entrepreneurial path. These five female, student-owned businesses in Columbia explain how they got their start, what they offer their customers and advice for other students.
Averyl Showers Photography
Averyl Showers Photography aims to create memorable images of weddings and couples in Missouri and elsewhere.
Averyl Crouse, a journalism student with an emphasis in Cross-Platform Editing and Producing at MU, owns and operates the business.
Crouse did not find her passion for photography until late 2020, when she took a class at MU. After some successful photo shoots for her friends and family, she realized she could make photography a job.
“A couple of my friends would ask me to do senior photos for them,” Crouse said. “Then I realized, ‘I can make this into something more,’ so I started being diligent about posting and made a website after that.”
Crouse hopes to continue her passion for commemorating other people’s big days and little moments. She has been hired for many weddings, and once she graduates, she wants to focus on just wedding photography.
She encourages other students to pursue their business dreams, even if it is a hobby.
“Go for it!” Crouse said. “Instead of just talking and thinking about it, you [should] go do it. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Peach Pit Bakery
Peach Pit Bakery is an at-home bakery owned by sophomore Ava McKinney. McKinney is the sole baker and currently operates out of her apartment in Columbia. Previously, most of her clients were located in her hometown of Festus, Missouri.
Currently, Peach Pit Bakery exclusively takes cupcake orders as McKinney navigates the balance between college and her passion for baking.
McKinney’s goal is to connect with college students’ families by giving them the option to deliver cupcakes to their students if they cannot visit for birthdays and holidays.
“There’s not [many] ways to send your student a gift that feels personal to them, so I want to do that,” she said.
McKinney expresses her love for what she does and, as she bakes all of her client’s orders, ensures all of the baked goods are up to her standards of how they should look and taste.
“I’ve always loved baking,” McKinney said. “There’s pictures of me when I was [a kid] making cupcakes.”
Peach Pit Bakery offers gluten-free options and is currently working on perfecting vegan options to expand its network of clients.
McKinney wants to inspire other students to continue working towards their goals and dreams.
“Take one step at a time,” McKinney said. “You don’t have to conquer the world in a day. Do stuff for yourself, too. If you want to bake something because you’re feeling like it, do it!”
Roaring Angel
Roaring Angel is a clothing brand started by senior Reagan Allen and her family in December 2020. The shop operates online in addition to various pop-up shops in Columbia, providing “loungewear and streetwear meant to be worn inside and out of the house.”
As her parents’ businesses started to slow down at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the idea of creating a fashion brand became more attainable.
“[My parents at first] were like ‘Yeah, we’ll help you get started,’ and then they fell in love with it,” Allen said. “Now it’s kind of all of our full time jobs.”
Allen says starting her own business has become the “best course” she could have ever taken. She hopes to expand the business and eventually be able to connect to people nationwide and internationally.
As Allen put it, “Sky’s the limit!” Roaring Angel’s pieces incorporate quotes to remind people of their purpose at that exact moment.
Allen defines a roaring angel as “a strong, authentic and radiant soul that is capable and worthy of receiving all love, success and happiness the world has to offer.”
Golden Nutrition
Golden Nutrition is a health cafe owned and operated by senior Colby Crabtree. She opened the storefront in June 2021.
The cafe makes energy teas and meal replacement shakes aimed at helping people choose healthier options for caffeinated and post-workout drinks.
The shakes have 24 grams of plant-based protein and 21 essential vitamins and minerals. The teas provide an alternative to energy drinks by giving people clean and natural energy through B vitamins.
Golden Nutrition’s mission is to “create a safe and positive environment where everyone can be their true selves.”
Crabtree wants other students to know that pursuing their passions while in school is possible.
“People will tell you that you are too young, that you cannot do it, that it is not the right time and you do not know what you are doing,” Crabtree said. “But if you have a dream, go for it and figure it out along the way.”
GoBoujee Jewelry
Rachel and Alison Kinsella are sisters and co-founders of GoBoujee, a company that Rachel Kinsella says offers “bold, trendy jewelry for women.” Rachel Kinsella is a junior at MU, and Alison Kinsella is a student at Southern Illinois University.
Their goal is to “expand access to affordable jewelry to women of all ages,” Rachel Kinsella said.
GoBoujee Jewelry is currently exclusively available online. In the future, the sisters hope to open brick-and-mortar stores and make GoBoujee a staple for every woman’s wardrobe.
“I want GoBoujee to empower women to be bold and boujee,” Rachel Kinsella said. “Every woman deserves to feel special and that’s what we want you to feel.”
As they look to make a greater impact on others’ lives, they also want to empower other women like themselves to go for their dreams.
“There will be people who doubt you and your success,” Rachel Kinsella said. “Take those doubts and turn them into fuel. Use that fuel as motivation to do more and run that extra mile with your business! Don’t let anyone ever tell you you can’t do something!”
Edited by Egan Ward | eward@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Audrey Mueller and Emily Rutledge