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Campus entrepreneurs work to provide affordable services to TWU students

Young entrepreneurship has become a growing community as college students are finding more ways to make use of their skills to help other students out. From affordable cosmetics to costless academics, these three Texas Woman’s University students have been able toter their hobbies into something profitable. 

Third-year mathematics major Balvina Pineda gained interest in doing nails this past summer after spending time observing her mother, who is a professional nail technician. Pineda currently specializes in acrylics and uses traditional techniques from Mexico to create sets, a process which includes using more manual methods to shape and file the nail instead of using motorized tools.

“I got into it because my mom does nails too,” Pineda said. “She taught me all I know.”

Meanwhile, second-year interdisciplinary studies major Daniela Del Roscino is a certified microblade artist who first started microblading a little over six months ago when her boyfriend’s sister, who owns four microblading salons, offered to teach her. Del Roscino began microblading on models and gradually moved onto working with everyday clients.

“I’ve always loved makeup, brows especially, and now it’s my job, and I love it,” Roscino said.

Some take more classic approaches towards peer-administered services such as second-year biochemistry major Jesus Vasquez-Delgado, who works directly on campus and offers tutoring sessions to students.

“Around campus, I tutor,” Vasquez-Delgado said. “I also try to live lively by trying to make others happy. Being a tutor has finally felt as if I had a purpose in life.”

Vasquez-Delgado said he feels motivated and determined to help students with their school work in any way he can. He offers help in calculus, chemistry and physics.

Unlike other student-run businesses, Vasquez-Delgado doesn’t charge for his tutoring.

“I enjoy being the person to help students find easier routes in studies.” Vasquez-Delgado said.

These three students all had the same thing in mind when starting their low-budget craft—making resources available for other college students without creating a dent in the bank account, something Pineda makes sure of.

“Right now, I’ve noticed nails go from sixty to seventy dollars,” Pineda said.  “It’s getting really expensive. I know that a lot of college students might not be able to afford that, so why not make it like thirty or thirty-five instead?”

Del Pascino also recognizes the relief budget-friendly costs bring, and offers student discounts for her services at the salon she works in.

“I do student discounts, because I know we’re all out here struggling,” Del Pascino said.

These young entrepreneurs say they know college is not cheap, and they aim to keep their services affordable for their fellow scholars.

Along with providing affordable options for others on campus, TWU students running their own services, in turn, helps them earn money to pay for school.

“I do have financial responsibilities that doing nails helps out with,” Pineda said.

Despite the personal benefits, balancing school work and work appointments can often lead to a packed schedule for these students. They say that between going to class, doing homework and attending to clients, the weeks can become overwhelming and restless.

At times, Del Roscino has found herself going straight from one obligation to another, leaving almost no time to relax. She has since been able to dedicate each day of the week to a specific responsibility to avoid getting worn out.

“I’m here, and then I have to drive thirty minutes to Frisco,” Del Roscino said. “I’ll have about three to four clients and each takes me about an hour and a half, and then I come back here and do homework. It’s been a learning experience.”

Above all, these students say they enjoy what they do and how they’re able to do what they can for others who also go to TWU.

“I love helping others understand things they do not know,” Vasquez-Delgado said. “Making people happy and helping others is what makes me happy.”

Pineda also finds herself fond of being able to spend time with clients.

“I love talking to them,” Pineda said. “I think it’s so interesting finding out what their major is and what they do. Then they tell their friends about me, and I meet more people. It’s all really cool.”

Pineda, Del Roscino and Vasquez-Delgado are all currently accepting new clients for the upcoming weeks and said that they are looking forward to continuing their student-run businesses for students here at TWU.

Balvina Pineda: @balv0226 on Twitter

Daniela Del Roscino: @daniesbrows on Twitter

Jesus Vasquez-Delgado: JVazquesDelgado@twu.edu

Gakenia Njenga can be reached via email at gnjenga@twu.edu

Featured image: Daniela Del Roscino performs a micro-blading procedure on a client at BrowBar in Frisco, Texas, Aug. 17, 2019. Photo courtesy of Daniela Del Roscino.

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