Self-employment
Student entrepreneur wrapped in summer successEarning and learningStarting a small business while still in school is possible. |
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 [ 2007-07-25 ] |
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Law School student Sunira Chaudhri is running her own business this summer. (ALEX M. CHONG)
"I will be attending Osgoode Hall Law School in September, but my business is now up and running," entrepreneur Sunira Chaudhri says.
Chaudhri wrote a business plan and was awarded some start-up money through the Summer Company Program offered by the Ontario Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Her company, Sunira & Company (www.suniracompany.com), sells cashmere shawls in a variety of seasonal colours.
"I was toying around with business ideas for years before I forced myself to write a business plan," she says. "I leapt at this program opportunity because it is designed to help full-time returning students to start and run summertime businesses.
"It's a great way to get business experience and earn money for school," she adds.
Sunira & Company caters to clients that include men and women across the Greater Toronto Area, brides-to-be shopping for bridal party gifts and corporations looking for unique gift bag ideas.
Customers may buy her beautiful shawls in-person, by phone or online. The business offers competitive pricing, free delivery and free gift wrapping.
While most students work a summer job to pay for their education, Chaudhri decided to became an entrepreneur. "I have learned that I am not a good employee," she says with a laugh.
That career choice certainly suits Chaudhri. "I have no problem with the long hours and the multi-tasking required to run a small business," she says.
Officially in business for two months, Chaudhri says she's already learned a valuable lesson.
"A new entrepreneur must be open to change," she explains. "Before I started my business, I had my whole marketing campaign planned out. After some business training and feedback from colleagues, I realized I needed to change my plan to focus on more of a target market. Selling is now much easier because I'm going after customers most likely to buy my cashmere shawls," she says.
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