Journey to Entrepreneurship

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Taylor received an interest-free loan from Bootstraps to help support her college education when she graduated from Evergreen High School in 2021. She had taken many AP courses in high school, competed on the tennis team, and was a manager for the football team.

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After high school, she attended Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, a prestigious private school known for its rigorous programs. She was accepted into the Huizenga Business Innovation Academy, an elite entrepreneurship program offered by less than 6% of business schools worldwide. Through this program, Taylor gained comprehensive knowledge of business ownership, financing, and marketing, and received her bachelor’s degree in three years. Her success in her undergrad program set her up for an accelerated master’s degree that she will complete in May 2025, at the age of 21.

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Her transition from Evergreen to Florida was both exciting and nerve-wracking. Leaving behind family and friends for a cross-country move was a challenge, but Taylor felt well-prepared thanks to her high school experiences, especially her AP courses. Her parents were initially surprised but fully supported her once she was accepted into her program. She lived in the dorms for her first two years and enjoyed the amenities that included a private bedroom and a shared common area. Taylor loved the food the cafeteria served because it included Starbucks and Chick-fil-A. Taylor was also impressed with how “immaculate” the campus was kept.

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Taylor utilized her Bootstraps loan to purchase books during her freshman year, alleviating some financial strain. Initially unsure of her career path, she found her passion in real estate development during her junior year. Now, she aims to combine entrepreneurship, real estate, and business by building her own portfolio of properties and ventures. She envisions a career overseeing residential and commercial development projects.

 

While balancing an intense academic workload of eight classes per semester, Taylor participated in a student success scholarship program, mentoring freshmen on their academic progress. She also launched her own business, SharkAttach, which provided affordable shower and sink attachments that were water filtration devices. Through the entrepreneurship program, she developed a business plan, pitched it to the University President and the Board of Directors, secured a loan, partnered with a vendor, successfully marketed and sold her product, designed the packaging, and ensured the shipping of the products. Not only did she repay her loan, but she also donated proceeds to nonprofit organizations. Her favorite part of the venture was engaging with students, educating them on the products, and selling the products to them. She found manufacturing logistics to be less enjoyable, but she is grateful for the experience.

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Taylor is the oldest of three siblings and grew up in Indian Hills. Her two younger brothers currently attend Evergreen High School. She credits Bootstraps with helping ease her financial burden, allowing her to focus on her studies and graduate in just three years. Taylor is currently working at a real estate development firm and plans to transition into construction project management after graduation to gain additional experience.

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She extends her gratitude to Craig Ponzio for funding the Bootstraps loan and recognizes the impact it had on her educational journey and future aspirations. Taylor’s story is a testament to the power of financial support, hard work, and determination in shaping a successful career.

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