Outside of Textbooks by Andrea

Outside of Textbooks by Andrea - September 2024 Scholarship Essay

One of my favorite non-traditional ways of learning is through hands-on experience, specifically by running a business alongside my mom. Since I was young, I've always helped my mom with little tasks in her jewelry store, but over the last year, I’ve become more involved than ever.

Our business was relocated from Peru to the United States in 2022 when we moved to Katy, Texas. In addition to learning a new culture and adapting to a new life, one of the obstacles for my mom’s business was that she doesn't speak English, and since then my role in the family business changed significantly. I’ve taken the responsibility of communicating with clients, managing negotiations and dealing with the challenges of running a business in a new market. Now I regularly have discussions, negotiate prices, and close deals, which has helped build my confidence and improve my communication skills. I've also participated in local selling fairs to introduce our products to the community and expand our business. Along with my other skills, I've learned how to research and connect with suppliers, locally and internationally. But the area I've enjoyed the most is visual merchandising. This has taught me how important it is to present the products in an appealing and accessible way to attract customers, and has developed my creativity in a way school wouldn't have.

Because of this experience, I've come to realize that you can learn to think critically, solve problems and adapt to changing circumstances without being in a classroom. I want to start my own business in the future and having the opportunity to learn all these skills has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life and will benefit me in years to come to pursue my goals.