Business & Projects
Since the age of 16, I have pursued various creative and business ventures, beginning with my bakery business, Becker’s Bakery LLC, which laid the foundation for my entrepreneurial journey. From leading a multimedia team at The Collective Magazine to interning at Tasty Catering and launching a recycled clothing line, these experiences have shaped my ability to adapt, problem-solve, and deliver results across diverse fields.
Becker's Bakery LLC
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Becker's Bakery LLC *
The Collective Magazine
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The Collective Magazine *
Becker’s Bakery began when my brother encouraged me to post my baked goods online. My first customer bought 46 brownies, and soon, my cookies outperformed the school cafeteria’s. By year two, I obtained my food manager’s certification, secured an LLC, and rented a professional kitchen. In year three, I hired three employees, expanded to e-commerce, and launched a FOMO-based business model, selling small-batch, trendy baked goods. I introduced jar creations with a sustainability initiative, offering discounts for jar returns to reduce waste.
Through pop-up shops, Becker’s Bakery served 200+ customers, generating $5,000+ in net profits. While studying at Gies College of Business, I continued baking and taught kids’ baking classes. A portion of sales was donated to The Kenneth Youth Center, WINGS, National Urban League, and NAMI to support LGBTQ+ rights, domestic violence survivors, racial equality, and mental health advocacy. Becker’s Bakery became a recognized brand, reflecting my entrepreneu
At The Collective Magazine, I managed social media strategy and multimedia content, leading a team of 15 creatives while collaborating with the executive board to generate engagement and visibility. Through strategic social media advertising, we attracted 100+ attendees to our info night and gained 400+ new followers, making it the most profitable the RSO had ever been. I organized creative photoshoots, ensured photographers met project deadlines, and fostered a collaborative environment that encouraged innovation.
Additionally, I played a key role in event planning, helping organize house shows, magazine releases, and fundraisers—an experience that felt like running a business. This role strengthened my storytelling, project management, and strategic communication skills, allowing me to connect with diverse audiences through compelling multimedia narratives.
Personal Projects
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Personal Projects *
Above all else, I have a natural passion and desire to create. Throughout college, I’ve always found myself exploring new ideas, experimenting, and trying out what works. This creativity shines through in the various projects I’ve started, mostly for fun. One of my proudest ventures was co-founding Motherlode, a recycled clothing line with a friend. We upcycled secondhand clothes and created cyanotype pieces, which we sold at local college events. It was a fulfilling project, blending sustainability with creativity.
In another initiative, I applied to iVenture, an entrepreneurship program, with an idea for a student apartment renting site. The project aimed to alleviate the housing crisis at UIUC and help students find sublets—an issue I experienced firsthand when I couldn’t find a sublet for three months while studying abroad. Although we didn’t get into the program, we gained valuable lessons about entrepreneurship and the startup process.
I’ve also had side photography gigs, where I continued to explore my creative passions. These projects, whether large or small, reflect my drive to create and innovate, fueling my curiosity and sharpening my ability to adapt in any situation.
