By Gabby Gartner-Coliane

They say college is for classes and campus life—but for Salma Xolo‑Thomas, Chase Williams, and Jack Pearson, it became the launchpad for their own startups. Picture Xolo-Thomas mixing polish in her dorm to transform a hobby into “SyxSets” nail appointments. Think of Williams scrolling through TikTok, then conceiving Banana Express—a platform spotlighting indie musicians. Then there’s Pearson, who, with his brother, built Forevergreen, a carbon-tracking app that won innovation awards before he even tossed his cap. These students didn’t wait for graduation, they flipped passion into profit in real time—writing side‑hustle history between study sessions, pop‑ups, and entrepreneurship classes.

NAILED IT

For Salma Xolo-Thomas (BSBA ’26), getting a manicure was a luxury growing up. To save money, she learned how to do her own nails, practicing on family and friends, never realizing it was a way she could also make money. 

“What started as a practical idea quickly became a passion. It’s a hobby I love and a way to express myself while helping others feel their best,” she says.

The finance and accounting student noticed a gap in nail services in Oakland and realized it was an opportunity. Everything changed when she started taking students on campus as actual clients. “That’s when I immersed myself—not just in nail art, but also branding SyxSets, managing bookings, marketing, and creating a great client experience. I genuinely enjoyed the entrepreneurship side of it all. It wasn’t just about doing nails anymore. It was about building something of my own,” she says.

Long term, Xolo-Thomas would like to combine her love for nail art and accounting. Building her brand has encouraged her to pursue a certificate in innovation and entrepreneurship.

“I see my future consisting of multiple careers rather than just one. I’m excited to build a life that blends my love for accounting, beauty, and entrepreneurship,” she says.

Chase Williams (BSBA ’26), a marketing and business information systems double major, was scrolling TikTok one summer day when he stumbled upon an independent music artist only a few years older than himself. He visited the artist’s profile, surprised at how much effort went into self-promotion. 

That was the proverbial lightbulb moment for him.

Williams says, “It dawned on me, what if there was a platform that promoted the best possible talent, and highlighted the growing landscape of indie music?”

Meet Banana Express, Williams’s passion project that creates branded content, hosts music sessions, and partners with artists and labels to promote underground talent. “We create content that feels both personal and cinematic,” Williams says. “We don’t just repost consistent pop culture narratives, instead,we create our own. We allow artists to be just artists and not have to worry about the marketing aspect of their careers in today’s competitive digital landscape.”

As he begins his senior year, Williams is unsure if he will keep his side hustle. Yet he credits the experience for teaching “valuable lessons and allowing for my overall growth as an individual.” 

ONE BIG IDEA

Jack Pearson graduated in December 2024 with his bachelor’s degree in business administration and an entrepreneurial spirit. 

In the fall of 2023, Pearson, his brother, and a high school friend wanted to give people actionable ways to offset their carbon footprint. Pearson and his younger brother Joe (A&S ’27) pitched an idea at the Big Idea Center’s Big Idea Blitz that became Forevergreen. This mobile app calculates your carbon footprint and enables you to take steps to reduce it. 

The initiative won $8,500 at the Kuzneski Innovation Cup. The following spring, Pearson and his partners took home an additional $7,000 at the 2024 Big Idea Competition. Pearson believes that the most rewarding part of having his own business is how much he has learned. “I think my growth as a leader and person has accelerated due to the amount of time I have put into starting this business,” he says.

Pearson, who started as an equity research associate at BNP Paribas in July, plans to keep Forevergreen as a side hustle—but it won’t be his only passion-driven venture. “The experience of starting my first business has taught me so much, and I hope to continue to build companies that help people and the planet,” he says.