Balancing School and owning a Small Business

Starting a small business is one thing, keeping it running while juggling deadlines, lectures, assignments, extracurriculars, and trying to stay on top of everything while still having a life? That's a whole different challenge. But for those who have taken the leap, the late nights and long days are worth it. 

Five years ago I had the idea of starting a business as a side hustle, but little did I know, I'd still be running it as a full-time student. Being in University while owning a small business has taught me how to juggle multiple responsibilities at once. One minute I'm focused on coursework and completing readings, the next I’m planning content, answering messages, and fulfilling orders. Add extracurriculars into the mix, meetings, events, and leadership responsibilities and suddenly everything is overlapping all at once. It can feel overwhelming, especially when there's pressure to show up in every role, but it is a very rewarding journey. 

At the same time, being involved on campus has allowed my business and university life to intersect in meaningful ways. This year, I had the opportunity to collaborate with the Huron University Students’ Council to create custom bandanas as part of the DAMGoods Merchandise. Seeing something I created outside the classroom become part of campus culture has become extremely rewarding, reminding myself that involvement on campus and entrepreneurship don't have to exist separately, instead they can grow together. 

The hardest part is learning that you can’t give 100% to everything all the time. Some weeks, school is my top priority, while other weeks my business demands more attention. Along the way,  navigating university like this has taught me how to set boundaries,  manage my time realistically, and accept that balance doesn’t mean perfection. There are definitely challenges including late nights and several times of burnout, but there are also so many rewards. Running a small business while staying involved on campus has challenged me to grow beyond my comfort zone and gain confidence in my abilities.

For me, University isn't just about what you learn in the classroom, but rather learning how to manage responsibilities, take risks, and juggle passions without losing yourself. It's busy and far from easy but it's about what you make of it that shapes your university experience.

Check out Hailey’s small business — Glam Pet & Co. 

Instagram and Facebook: @glampetandco

Website: https://glampetandco.square.site/