Small Business Saturday: Growing Entrepreneurs at PC
By Madeline Frick ’24
Small Business Saturday is an annual event encouraging consumers to support and celebrate local businesses during the holiday shopping season. At Providence College, this initiative resonates strongly with the campus community as students and faculty alike recognize the importance of fostering a thriving local economy. Student entrepreneurs at PC have played a vital role in providing unique products, personalized services, and distinct charm that contribute to the PC image.
From pop-up businesses to online stores and personalized services, these enterprises not only have given students the ability to enhance their college experiences but also create a sense of community. Small Business Saturday serves as a reminder to support these enterprises, fostering a symbiotic relationship between the Providence College community and the local businesses that these students developed.
Sylvia Amefia ’23 founded “Sincerely Sylvia,” a small makeup business where she performs full glam on clients for different occasions. For a few years, Amefia has brought her creative outlet to life through her clients in Rhode Island. To view her portfolio or schedule an appointment, check out www.sincerelysylvia.com.
Tom Messina ’24 opened the “Mid-Cape Farmstand,” a small farmers market located in Dennis Port, Massachusetts. Messina renamed and opened the stand in June 2023 after working at the former P&D Farmstand for eight years prior to buying the business. To see what fresh produce and goods the stand sold in its first summer season, visit https://www.facebook.com/people/Mid-Cape-Farmstand/100093255045070/?mibextid=LQQJ4d.
Maddie Dahn ’25 founded “Storey Ave,” a personalized hat brand. Her stitched caps feature personalized locations and coordinates. Established just under a year ago, her store offers three different hat style options with different college designs to choose from. You can visit her site or purchase a hat at www.storeyave.com.
We celebrate Small Business Saturday as a reminder of the integral role that local businesses play in shaping the character of the community surrounding Providence College and the legacy these students leave. Small Business Saturday is not just a one-day event, however. It symbolizes an ongoing commitment to nurturing the local economy, ensuring that this diverse variety of small businesses continues to thrive and enrich the PC community for years to come.
