Okay, everyone, let's meet Emil. He's double majoring in Business Economics and International Studies. Within his first two years of college, Emil had already started his own social media marketing business. Let's hear how Miami sparked his entrepreneurial spirit. Emil, you're on.
Thanks, Alex. Hi, everyone. I'm the founder of "Step Up Social" a student run marketing firm that manages Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts for various clients. The idea for Step Up started in the back of a coffee shop. When I was thinking about what social media looks like for the average small business owner. We wanted to make social media more accessible than the traditional agency model; useful, affordable, and not incredibly time consuming. Well, who better to do that than the people who've been using social media their entire lives. Over the next year, our team spent countless hours developing a framework that maximizes value and results on social media. Throughout this process, the university and the Farmer School of Business supported us every step of the way. We were able to build an advisory board of professors with expertise in management, marketing, entrepreneurship, and digital content. In addition, just the feedback we've received from everyone at Miami has been amazing and so important in us developing our vision. I think we've created something truly special here at Miami, a business that combines the experience of leading professors with young people's understanding and love for social media. We help brands develop an intuitive organic voice on social, rather than just advertising content. The connections you find here at Miami are just amazing. The Entrepreneurship Program put us in touch with the CEOs of so many different venture capital firms, and accelerators, giving us the network we needed to break into the startup world. Being both a student and an entrepreneur here at Miami has given me so many amazing experiences. From the first day of class, the freedom was just amazing. There are so many fun on campus experiences. Honestly, the line between student professional and entrepreneur becomes blurred because you're having so much fun. My time here at Miami has helped me become more confident in myself and my goals, and just so grateful for all of the amazing people around me. I can't think of any other place that I would call home. Back to you, Alex.
Thank you so much Emil. It's fascinating how the folks in Miami's Institute for Entrepreneurship helps you turn your idea into a business reality. Miami isn't just preparing you for the real world. It's bringing the real world right into your college education. Good luck in all your business endeavors, Emil, and thanks again for sharing your story. Take care.
