Inside the life of an undergraduate entrepreneur
Being a university student is not easy work, so just imagine working through all of the pressure in addition to having an entire business to run. Believe it or not, it is possible, and students at the University of Guelph are living examples of hard work.
The Ontarion had the chance to chat with Christina Paul, CEO and founder of Ethereal & Co., a feminist brand with the vision to empower women around the globe “regardless of race, appearance, personality.” Ethereal originally began as a blog and expanded to become an organization that hosts events such as female-inclusive photo shoots, community meet-ups, speaker series, pop-up shops, markets, and women’s personal development programming. These workshops are held in order to achieve the vision of embracing and empowering femininity and womanhood, and to bring together a group of women with like mindsets.
Ethereal is a company started by a third-year psychology student here at U of G, who had the goal of educating women to feel comfortable with themselves. Paul was only in her fourth semester at the start of the company, and in just over a year she has managed to create a team of contributors, models, and brand ambassadors from all around the globe to spread the feminist word.
Paul finds it tough to be a woman entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry, but based on our interview it’s clear that she strives to set a good example for young women.
Nicole Mior: What in your life sparked the inspiration to start your own business?
Christina Paul: I was really lacking in creative outlets, I was working as an intern for another company, as well as a brand ambassador for other companies, and I really just craved the creative freedom that I could get from designing my own company. I really craved a sense of community of like-minded women.
NM: Have you always wanted to be an entrepreneur opposed to taking a traditional path? How did your family, friends, and peers react to your decision?
CP: Yes, I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur. I grew up with both of my parents being entrepreneurs and I really liked the freedom they had with their jobs. When I started Ethereal, both of my parents were concerned with choosing business over school. I had friends that were really supportive… but I had a lot of people that were skeptical: “You have borderline personality disorder, there’s no way in hell that you’re going to be able to manage a company.”
NM: Do people’s opinions of your business decisions affect you in anyway?
CP: Yes, any good business would listen to their consumers. I try to take criticism as “how can I make this a community for everyone to feel included and safe?” I try not to let people’s opinions get to me, but sometimes it’s really hard when people are waiting to see you fail. But, in business you gotta be risky; the people who are successful are willing to take risks and ignore the people around them.
NM: What advice do you have for balancing a job, school, and your own business?
CP: I plan a lot… a lot of scheduling, having multiple planners for school, social events.
NM: How do you find time to manage a social life with so many responsibilities?
CP: I’ve made my work life my social life. I’m just so passionate about the work I do that I want my friends to experience it with me because it’s such an empowering, creative business.
NM: What would your advice be to U of G students who are thinking of embarking on their own project?
CP: Just do it — don’t wait around for the opportunity to come because it never will. Start small and grow it.
Feature photo courtesy of Ethereal & Co.