GCU fosters entrepreneurial growth in Peoria
In the vibrant city of Peoria, the Grand Canyon University's Entrepreneur Training Program has been a beacon of opportunity for budding entrepreneurs. The latest success story comes from Alexis Szewczyk, the founder of Vera Vara, a unique jewelry brand that has been making waves in the local market and beyond.
Vera Vara's business model is centred around selling jewelry, particularly at airports and resorts, offering a touch of elegance to travellers and holidaymakers alike. The brand's offerings are handcrafted, hypoallergenic, and inspired by Southwestern design, making them a perfect fit for the sunny Arizona landscape.
Szewczyk's grandmother Vera, who produced macrame accessories, served as a significant inspiration for her. This family connection adds a personal touch to the brand, resonating with customers and judges alike.
The win at the Demo Day Peoria Entrepreneur Pitch Event was a significant milestone for Spicy Sassy Inc., the company behind Vera Vara. Szewczyk's jewelry business was awarded the $4,000 Great Value Award, a testament to its potential and the promise it holds.
The Demo Day event featured eight businesses, including Vera Vara, and was part of a free initiative where entrepreneurs attend classes every April, June, August, and October. The judges for the event included Amy Edelen from the Phoenix Business Journal, Nick Kasten from National Bank of Arizona, and Dr. Nicholas Markette from GCU College of Doctoral Studies.
The judges were particularly impressed with Vera Vara's foundation and momentum, noting that the business was already picking up speed at the airport and was about to get certification to be at other airports and states. They also commented on the strong human connection they felt with the story behind Vera Vara.
Vera Vara has already sold out of merchandise two months after opening a shop at Sky Harbor International Airport, and has reached agreements to sell at six resorts, gift boutiques, and produced the best-selling gift item at the Mayo Clinic gift shop.
The win could be a springboard for bigger business for Vera Vara. Szewczyk expresses that she has always loved creating jewelry and considers it her destiny. She plans to donate a portion of her proceeds from Vera Vara's sales to Phoenix Children's Hospital, further demonstrating her commitment to giving back to the community.
The partnership between the Grand Canyon University Entrepreneur Training Program and the city of Peoria continues to foster growth and success for West Valley entrepreneurs. Mark Faust, who spoke about the event, expressed excitement about the potential for greater things in the future for Peoria's entrepreneurship program.
For more information about the program and its impact on local businesses, please contact Mark Gonzales, the senior writer for GCU, at [email protected]. The program aims to provide knowledge and training to West Valley entrepreneurs to elevate their businesses, contributing significantly to the economic development and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.
- Grand Canyon University's Entrepreneur Training Program has been instrumental in offering opportunities to budding entrepreneurs in the city of Peoria, as demonstrated by Alexis Szewczyk's success with Vera Vara.
- Vera Vara, a unique jewelry brand inspired by Szewczyk's grandmother, has been a hit in the local market and beyond, with a business model centered around sales at airports and resorts.
- The program's impact on local businesses is evident in Vera Vara's achievements, such as selling out of merchandise two months after opening a shop at Sky Harbor International Airport.
- The winning of the $4,000 Great Value Award at the Demo Day Peoria Entrepreneur Pitch Event is a testament to Vera Vara's potential and the promise it holds, offering a springboard for bigger business.
- The program's free initiative includes classes every April, June, August, and October, attracting entrepreneurs from the community and providing them with knowledge and training to elevate their businesses.
- The program's partnership with the city of Peoria continues to foster growth and success for West Valley entrepreneurs, with Mark Faust expressing excitement about the potential for greater things in the future for Peoria's entrepreneurship program.
