Marquis and Marquel Bohannon Provide Tips on How to be Successful Student Entrepreneurs
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Marquis
and Marquel Bohannon have always had a fondness for entrepreneurship.
As their parents, Michael and Anita Bohannon, were building a
foundation for the Bovanti Corporation, the sisters learned the
rudiments of business firsthand. Now enrolled at Hampton University,
Marquis and Marquel have done a remarkable job of expanding the Bovanti
franchise on their college campus. During the 2009 Bonner Brothers Hair
Show in Atlanta, the sisters spoke with rolling out about the benefits
of being student entrepreneurs and provided tips on how to remain
successful.
Both of you have done a tremendous job of branding the company at Hampton University. How did that come about?
Marquis:
I started my freshmen year selling Bovanti products on campus. That’s
been beneficial because everyone knows about the Bovanti brand. We set
up a booth every Friday at the student center and we sell our products.
We also do fashion shows and set up at hair salons. … All of the girls
on campus know about Bovanti.
Marquel:
I went to Hampton University to follow my sister. I do eyebrows and
lashes. It’s a great experience to bring cosmetics to the campus. We’re
leaving a legacy because we have people on campus who work with us.
They are going to follow in the tradition of Bovanti by having seminars
in the dorms and keeping the legacy going.
What are the good and bad sides of being a student entrepreneur?
Marquis- The
good part is that it allows you financial freedom. You can be your own
boss and a leader. The downsides are that you have to work all of the
time. I want to be able to get to the level where I don’t have to work
as much. We’ve never had a real break. Sometimes we can’t hang with our
friends because we have to work. I have worked on my birthday for the
past six years. But it’s nothing new for us. When I turn 26, I want to
be a millionaire so I don’t have to work as much.
What advice do you have for students who want to be entrepreneurs?
Marquis:
You have to have a vision. We started out young because most of the
people in our families are entrepreneurs. For young women who want to
start a business, you need to be focused and passionate about what
you’re doing.
Marquel: It’s always good to open your own business instead of working for someone else. Be your own boss.
Marquis
and Marquel Bohannon are both seeking to continue branding the Bovanti
Corporation. After Marquis receives her Masters in Business
Administration, she plans to help the company evolve in the future by
opening more stores and furthering the company’s international reach. –amir shaw
