VIH Entrepreneurs
Terra Teets is a freelance writer, tutor, and editor based in Pittsburgh, PA. She is a Chatham University alumna with a BA in English Literature and a certificate in European Studies. She enjoys hiking, reading science fiction and poetry, and watching reality TV and old German films. She was a member of the 2019 VIH Cohort and travelled to Berlin, Germany, where she studied German Philosophy and Language at the Freie Universität Berlin before going on a backpacking trip in the Swiss Alps.
Courtney Yu graduated from the University of PIttsburgh in 2019. As a part of the 2017 cohort, she travelled to South Korea to study at Yonsei University. Courtney currently works for a Pennsylvania State Senator. Always trying to find a creative outlet, Courtney has constantly bullet journaled. Oftentimes, you can see her doodling in her notes and empty pages whenever possible. Recently, Courtney decided to turn her drawings into a physical product! You can find various stationery products such as stickers and memo pads in her Etsy shop, ByCourtneyKay.
Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ByCourtneyKay
Brittany Reyes is a member of the 2013 Cohort and traveled to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Brittany is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh (Hail to Pitt!) and Columbia University where she studied social work. Brittany has been shaped by the many different women who have come before her, in her journey to present day. She is the Sister Sol coordinator at The Brotherhood/Sister Sol located in Harlem, New York where she supports 8-22 year olds in building agency, leadership development, and exploration of self.
She is committed to creating spaces of empowerment for womxn and moving in love and light within the larger world around her. She credits VIH and her first travel experience through the program to Tanzania as the main catalyst for her commitment, love and interest in exploring the world around her. This love and passion has ignited much of her personal and professional goals and visions for herself. In her free time, Brittany loves to DJ, make earrings, work on food justice//support community fridges throughout NYC, and explore the community around her.
Link to Etsy Earring Business: https://etsy.me/2ZGhdmR
Aniya Haley is an alumni of the 2019 cohort. Her business is called Bella’s Boss Babes and its purpose is to support women in business. When asked about her journey, she said: "As I learn to handle my own business, my mission is to give advice, talk about how to get started, and discuss my bumps in the road. I was inspired to motivate women by the Madame CJ Walker story. Netflix portrayed Walker’s hardships and the rivalry she battled with another woman as she worked to mold her business into something great! I wished I could’ve been there to push and support Walker while that other woman constantly pushed her down. So I started brainstorming products I could sell to women in business to catch their interest and build connections with them. I wanted to help women who are just getting started to glam up their work space. Also, women who are already working a job deserve a beautiful desk space as well so I started selling office products. I bought a business book to help me learn and I started with giving daily tips to my Instagram and Facebook feed on what I was learning. Right now I’m an online platform and all of my products are available at bellasbossbabes.com but one day I hope to have a blog and storefront.
A challenge that I face is that I’m not sure how desired my products are right now and I haven’t been able to manage my time enough between school and this new job I’m entering. I’m also looking for new products and a vendor to supply them. It’s actually super hard to find glam office Supplies in bulk! I also want unique products, not all re-sale. For example, I want to create a business planner that is original and has my logo on it! I have not yet overcome these challenges and was hoping to get some advice from all of you.My advice to future entrepreneurs is to know what you offer is special and know how to present it. Have a plan and pay attention to sales trends. Notice how each of your products are selling and which ones are in highest demand."