Name: Olivia Miller
Hometown: West Dundee, Illinois
Year: Senior
Major: Communications studies with an entrepreneurial management certificate
Miller is one of eight students from across the country to receive a $1,000 Sigma Nu Tau Founder’s Scholarship. She was nominated by faculty advisor Dr. Bob Walker.
The mission of Sigma Nu Tau is to promote, recognize, honor, and reward academic excellence in entrepreneurship and to encourage and recognize the practice of principled entrepreneurship.
Miller is no stranger to competitions sponsored by the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. On Nov. 15, she placed second and won $3,000 in the Best Non-Technology category at Innovation Challenge for her business, Face Totes by Olivia Miller.
Summarize your business: Face Totes by Olivia Miller is a small business specializing in transforming everyday items into artistic expressions. I sell uniquely designed and hand-painted products such as tote bags, sweatshirts, and stickers.
Describe your experience during the Innovation Challenge and how you're going to move forward: Last month I had the privilege of participating in the Fall 2023 Innovation Challenge. Being my first-ever pitch competition, the experience was undoubtedly nerve-wracking, but immensely rewarding.
Presenting my business, Face Totes by Olivia Miller, I aimed to showcase my products as trendy, hand-made items for customers who desire a unique accessory with an artistic touch.
Earning second place in the non-technology category, I have been graciously awarded funding which will allow me to purchase materials, increase my inventory, expand my products, and build my brand.
I am thankful for the support from the Undergraduate Startup Incubator program and the unwavering guidance from my former professor, Leslie Flynn.
I am grateful to the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center for providing this opportunity and I am excited for the future of my business.
You recently received a Sigma Nu Tau scholarship. What makes that so special? I joined Sigma Nu Tau this year via (associate professor of instruction and faculty advisor) Bob Walker introducing it in our class. I thought why not? I own a small business and I have been getting involved with the (undergraduate startup) incubator program in the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. I take the opportunities that Iowa JPEC throws at us.
What do you enjoy most about Sigma Nu Tau? I appreciate the business trip we went on to Kansas City. We met with some development programs and startup businesses which was cool. I got a lot out of it, learned a lot, and it was fun. I am looking forward to another trip in the Spring where I can connect with people and connect with other members of Sigma Nu Tau.
What is the next step for you and your business? I graduate in May, so I don’t think I will have (my business) be my main focus once I graduate. I would like to get a job that will help with income so I will be able to support the business. I would like (Face Totes by Olivia Miller) to expand to more apparel and getting items at different price points.
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