Meet a new group of freshman at the University of Utah’s Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute. The students, many of whom are beginning their college careers, having already started one or more businesses, and are part of a cohort called Lassonde Founders that made its debut in the startup-focused education hub of the David Eccles School of Business in the fall 2020 term.
Grace Tidwell
Hometown: Midway
Business: Launched a competition called Invest Nest where high school students present their business ideas to investors and can win cash prizes and investments. Business idea for an insole that goes into a ski boot and tracks data via an app.
“I hope to achieve a better understanding of the world of business and how to successfully launch a business. I plan to learn the qualities and attitudes of successful businessmen and women and begin applying them to my life now.”
Jolly Karungi, student director
Hometown: Salt Lake City
“My purpose is to learn as much as I can from other people so that I can be more knowledgeable about the world. People are unique in their own ways, and learning from other people helps me to see a different world that I don’t see on my own.”
Collin Brown
Hometown: Salt Lake City
Business: Founded lawn care business, Vacation Cuts
“This year I want to get either a company or product in the works. I have a few ideas and look forward to working with my fellow founders to dream up something big.”
Nicholas Burum
Hometown: Boise
Business: Founded Strike Productions, a studio for entertainment, game and app development
“My purpose this year is to begin development of a game and to publish a proof of concept. To show a proof of concept, I will provide a demo in the format of a video. I will implement this proof of concept onto the website of the startup I’m working toward creating.”
Ella Bachorowski
Hometown: Salt Lake City
Business: Online apparel
“I’ve always had an eye for all things beautiful. From architecture to design to fashion, I am captivated by details and simplicity. I hope to discover ways to be able to share my passion with the world through the Lassonde Founders program. Go Utes!”
Andrew Wang
Hometown: Lehi
Business: Founded game development studio, Pandemic Studios
“My focus and goals for participating in the Lassonde Founders program is to bring my innovations, dreams and imagination to life using available resources and opportunities.”
Parker Zaharis
Hometown: Draper
Business: Venture capital firm
“My purpose as a Lassonde Founder is to learn as much as possible and have some fun while I’m doing it.”
Jason Snow, student director
Hometown: Kent, Washington
“(My purpose as a Lassonde Founder is) to learn how to better stand out from competition and create a sustainable freelance working environment for myself.”
Isaiah Delphino
Hometown: Sandy
Business: Founded window washing business
“I want to positively impact all my peers on campus. Whether that through housing, events, or just being a friendly face. I wish to go above and beyond to reach my peers and let them know that I am their friend and I can help them in any way.”
Quentin Hall
Hometown: Camarillo, California
Business: Post-production film/video company
“This year at Lassonde, I hope to make some friends, enjoy my classes in film, and learn a lot about business and what it takes to start one.”
Stephanie Burnham
Hometown: Park City
Business: Founded B3 Supply Co., online apparel/lifestyle brand focused on vintage motoring
“My purpose for joining Lassonde Founders is to grow and expand my personal goals, while working with like-minded students and advisers who share a common interest.”
Alexandra Beekley
Hometown: Sandy
Business: Event planning
“(My purpose as a Lassonde Founder is) to give and provide value to anyone and everyone through self-development and courage to grow from ambitious individuals.”
Owen Coonahan
Hometown: Sterling, Massachusetts
Business: Founded multiple online companies including photography supply and licensed merchandise retailer
“Exploration is my goal for the year. I am going to continue exploring what I am good at, what energizes me, and what impact I want to have on the world. The combination of these three things is my sweet spot as an entrepreneur.”
Sean McKay
Hometown: Moab
Business: Indoor skatepark
“I plan to focus on my business idea and building more connections. Turning my passion into a career seems impossible, but I know being in the right place and around the right people, things will fall into place. I don’t want to just focus on myself and my dreams. I want to encourage others to continue to work on theirs, and help however I can.”
Clinton Bradt
Hometown: Murray
Business: Founded clothing brand and digital marketing agency
“I was homeless, orphaned and hungry. I had nothing, and in the eyes of the world, I was nothing. My goal is to give others the same opportunities I’ve had to liberate themselves from poverty. I have been immensely blessed, but it would be in vain if I did not pass along the blessings. That is my mission and my purpose.”
Austin Birch
Hometown: Erda
Business: Founded concert production/DJ company, Argus Entertainment
“I want to use Lassonde’s resources to create a product or service with a sustainable business model that can benefit or improve the lives of the general populous of the world.”
Andres Esparza
Hometown: Layton
Business: Video editing instruction, streetwear/sneaker reseller
“I plan on improving the lives of everyone around me. I don’t want to be another statistic, but instead have a lasting impact on whomever I can. Family is what drives me during unprecedented times like these, and I’m hoping to make them proud.”
Alexandra Miller
Hometown: Salt Lake City
Business: Clothing line
“This year at Lassonde, I am looking forward to meeting new people and being a part of the amazing community that this organization has to offer. I want to expand my skills and develop my ideas.”
Steffan Perez-Velez Solis
Hometown: West Jordan
Business: Multiple ideas
“(My purpose as a Lassonde Founder is) to inspire, learn from, and positively impact others around me, no matter where I go.”
Brighton Brown
Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas
Business: Game design
“In my time within the Lassonde Founder’s program, I hope to attain the knowledge and experience necessary not only to create and develop video games, but also to work with industry leaders to contribute to the advancement of the gaming industry.”
Molly Gallagher
Hometown: Park City
Business: Web plug-in that shows sustainability ratings of companies and businesses
“I serve as a catalyst for ethical, sustainable, diverse change in the business world. I hope to bring the values and expertise I learn in the Lassonde Founders program to any other area of campus and the professional world I find myself in to enrich the communities around me.”
Kyle Atkinson
Hometown: Park City
Business: Developed recipe search app, “Homemade,” that doubles as business platform for new chefs
“This year at Lassonde, I hope to make connections with many student and nonstudent entrepreneurs, expanding my knowledge of the business world while experiencing the challenges and process of creating a startup.”
Burke Dambly
Hometown: San Clemente, California
Business: Founded online drop-shipping company as well as cotton candy “personal service” business.
“(My purpose as a Lassonde Founder is) to be constantly striving for innovation, to be a creator, and to be a positive thinker — inside and outside of the classroom.”
Riley Easton
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Business: Custom shoe and jewelry design
“I would like to explore different aspects of entrepreneurship specifically in jewelry-making or starting a trade business. I am excited to work with like minded students and collaborate on a variety of projects.”
Matt Gubler
Hometown: Beaverton, Oregon
Business: Founded artist cooperative
“During my first year at Lassonde, I would like to grow as a creator and build myself more as a person. My biggest goal is to network and get to know as many people as possible so I can learn more about what interests me as well as making connections that could be useful when it comes to starting my career.”
Isaac White
Hometown: Lawrence, Kansas
Business: Founded video game design studio Waffle Works
“This year I hope to find a community of people who share similar interests and use the resources provided through Lassonde to have a productive first year of college. I am excited to be a part of the creative energy that Lassonde offers.”
Jacob Sunday
Hometown: Park City
Business: Worked with Vutiliti, a startup specializing in energy management tools
“For over a year, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of a successful early stage startup (we recently received funding on a $32M post valuation). I’m finding that I really enjoy entrepreneurship and look to Lassonde to expand my personal learnings while engaging with others. I also hope to help others just beginning their entrepreneurial journey.”
Justine Nguyen
Hometown: Clarksville, Maryland
Business: Eco-friendly clothing brand
“While living and learning at Lassonde, I intend to enhance my entrepreneurial skills and learn more about how to begin and grow a company. With these skills, I hope to create a company where streetwear, sustainability, and improving the community around you all come together.”