Campus Life | July 10th, 2025
FAMU Entrepreneurs Thrive All Over Campus
By: Walker-Camille Harris
Florida A and M University is the number one public HBCU in the country. Due to this fact, the students of FAMU are immersed in excellence. The university’s motto is literally excellence with caring. No matter in academics, extra-curriculars, or out in the real world, FAMU students promote and exemplify excellence in all aspects, including entrepreneurship and business ventures.
According to University World News.com, seventeen percent of college students own a business while attending school. The students feeding into the seventeen percent at FAMU specialize in all sorts of services and products. From beauty services to selling culinary plates and desserts, profiting off their artistic skills or truly diving into the world of business through real estate and related fields, FAMU students provide a variety of opportunities for the community to support black and small-owned businesses, while guaranteeing quality and good production.
Small Business Owners At FAMU
Kutique Lashes has two major aspects, both run by Kalia herself. The first aspect is the product. Through Kutique Lashes, Kalia sells a variety of false lashes in nine different styles and a variety of sizes and colors. “I love adding things to my website and coming up with creative ideas,” Kalia states about the product part of her business. The second part of the business is the service. Kalia installs lashes, from clusters to strips to individuals. “I love that I can assist ladies with their looks for different events or even for everyday looks,” she states.
Only 1% is a streetwear line created and managed by Shandon Francois, a second-year economics student with a minor in business. According to Shandon, Only 1% is a fashion line that represents a mindset of being a part of the few who are dedicated to striving for greatness. “I design and release pieces that reflect that mentality,” Shandon states.
He also states his favorite part of running his business is seeing other people connect with his message and wear his pieces with pride. “It’s really about turning ideas into something real that inspires others.” Students running their own fashion brands is a rare occurrence, but Shandon promotes and manages his brand with passion and satisfaction. “I really want people to appreciate the quality and message.”
Taliya Creamer is a second-year business administration student with a concentration in marketing. She’s an impressive entrepreneur, running three businesses and a program, all of which she manages herself. Her first business is TouchedByTaliya, which is her hair braiding business. With her hair business, Taliya styles different types of braids and twists on all types of black hair. Her second business is called Taliya’s Notary Service.
Back in her hometown, Taliya obtained her notary public certification, and her services include power of attorneys, wills and trusts, real estate documents and many more notary specialties.
“My notary services are mobile, and I have extended and accessible work hours for my customers,” Taliya states.
Along with these two, Taliya has one more business, selling homemade chocolate corn puffs on the set and all over campus. Finally, Taliya created a college prep and career coaching program with the purpose of helping high school students interested in attending college. Through the program, Taliya offers application and scholarship guidance, resume and interview assistance, certification mentorships and dual enrollment advising.
D’Allo Wiley is a second-year student, double majoring in Broadcast Journalism and Public Relations while running his business, 14flickz. The brand 14flickz is a photography and videography business. D’Allo fell in love with photography and aimed to express his creativity through pictures and videos. He created 14flickz to share his photography services while networking and interacting with all different types of people.
“My favorite part of my business is that I get to tell a story with the colors, lights, and angles I use in my images,” D’Allo states. D’Allo’s work is popular on campus. He has photographed for different student-owned brands, including Only 1% and has photographed many FAMU events, such as Set Friday and activities during FAMU’s homecoming.
According to Entrepreneurship.com, 50% of small businesses fail, but small businesses at FAMU are abundantly successful, issuing high profits for the student owners and exceptional service and products for their customers and classmates
