Business & Finance | June 4th, 2025

FAMU Fuels Entrepreneurial Growth

By: Jermaine Edwards Jr.

Florida A&M University is known for fueling students’ and Tallahassee locals’ entrepreneurial endeavors throughout events like Set Friday, leading to great exposure for entrepreneurs.  

 FAMU Set Friday is a popular end-of-the-week celebration for FAMU students every week, with the attendance of a variety of entrepreneurs who sell food, clothing, jewelry and other merchandise that effortlessly stand out.

FAMU student and Tallahassee native, Kenedi Lowe of “Bella Blends,” a family lemonade and gourmet popcorn business she shares with her younger sister, Chloe Lowe, has successfully attended Set Friday, helping her business succeed and gain notoriety from students and locals. One of her more successful events was Homecoming Set Friday. 

 “We sold out, restocked and sold out again,” said Kenedi Lowe, recalling her time at FAMU homecoming Set Friday. 

 Lowe intends to outdo herself each Homecoming Set Friday, setting new goals and marketing strategies for “Bella Blends.” 

 Lowe was not always in the front of the business, she explained. Her sister Chloe Lowe was face-to-face with customers. But once Lowe started attending FAMU and started selling at the Set Friday, she had no choice but to be in the front, helping her develop more “communication skills.” 

 “I encourage all collegiate student entrepreneurs not to be afraid to get their name out there,” Lowe said. 

For more information on “Bella Blends,” they can be found @Theebellablends on Instagram and https://www.theebellablends.com/  

 FAMU School of Business & Industry alum, Jalen Henderson returns to the hill after graduating to promote his clothing brand “Sol1d Clothing,” with a mission statement of “Staying in first place and being yourself because that’s how God made you,” which is why “Sol1d,” is spelled with a “1.” 

Jalen Henderson Photo Credit: Jalen Henderson 

Set Friday has helped businesses like “Sol1d Clothing” gain more recognition and grow tremendously within sales and marketing because of the number of people who attend Set Friday. 

 Henderson thanks FAMU because of how much the reach of his brand has gotten from consistently attending Set Friday back in his undergraduate days.  

 “A lot of people recognized my brand more, and it definitely helped the reach in my audience,” said Henderson.  

 A big moment for Henderson and Sol1d Clothing was when he found out on Instagram that another brand stole his designs.  

 “That’s how you know you doing something right,” said Henderson. He elaborates that it was “kind of cool,” and respects the fact that he is “the foundation of another clothing brand’s inspiration.”  

 Sol1d Clothing aspires to “continue thriving, having a storefront and becoming a worldwide brand yet keeping the brand exclusive,” said Henderson.  

 Jalen Henderson teased a new drop for a spring collection within the next month. For more information, they can be found @Sol1dclothing on Instagram or https://www.sol1datlanta.com/