The Butterfly Effect by Ana

The Butterfly Effect by Ana - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

BUZZZZ… the sound of the cutting machines hard at work accompanied me while I continued my tasks on the computer. The cutters transformed rolls of vinyl into designs that would inspire and motivate. A quote being produced caught my eye, “Until you spread your wings you will have no idea how far you can truly fly”. From that moment on, I knew that this new family venture would be the beginning of something great and become a catalyst for my growing interest in business and entrepreneurship: like a butterfly’s chrysalis, open to new opportunities.
Creativity was something I knew that would be in my career path. Throughout my life, I have been known for my creativity, though not in the way you might expect. I am not a painter nor a drawer. I am an idea-maker. As I learned more about my family's business, I contributed out-of-the-box ideas. These helped assist in evolving and rebranding the company.
My creativity pushed me when things got tough. I thought about the students, workers, churchgoers, and families that incorporate our designs and messages into their schools, workplaces, churches, and homes. I loved knowing what an impact these small but significant decals may have.
My roles and responsibilities transitioned from production to marketing the business. Creativity allowed me to engage with our customers differently and become a social butterfly. The social media posts and campaigns I created inspired others. Engaging videos highlighted our
production process and received thousands of views. I realized there was potential to expand our message with more personal content. The analytics and psychology behind why content was more successful than others have piqued my interest.
My parents’ decision allowed me to expand and grow creatively outside the business. I’ve used these skills during my leadership role, of holding the positions of Vice President and Marketing Extraordinaire of my high school’s Entrepreneur Club. Furthermore, during my enrollment in the Media Marketing Academy, I was able to showcase my artistic skills by developing a marketing and artistic portfolio of graphics, photography, and videos. As an outcome of my work, I became a member of the Business Professionals of America organization where I competed and won the regional award for Fundamental Desktop Publishing competition. These experiences have allowed me to find my creative voice, passion, and outlet.
But this is only the beginning of my metamorphosis; I am starting to spread my wings and fly.