Entrepreneurship, Really

The Ciocca Center invites alums and students into conversation to talk frankly about the ups and downs of owning your own business.

Entrepreneurship, Really
Aleisha Nelson ’17 M.S. ’19 started her art business while living on campus. Image by Dalton Johnson Photography.

A new initiative out of the Leavey School of Business brings together alumni and current students to dis- cuss the intersection of passion projects, the entrepreneurial mindset, and self-actualization.

The first sessions of Broncos, Actually, hosted by the Ciocca Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, featured Jason Khalipa ’08—a management major and CrossFit Games champion who founded the global fitness company NCFIT—and Aleisha Nelson ’17 M.S. ’19, a computer science alumna who turned her love for art into Art by Aleisha, selling customized, hand-painted maps.

“Entrepreneurship isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, it has a lot of challenges,” Khalipa told participants before leading them in “an open, transparent conversation on what it’s like to open a business, grow that business, and the challenges I’ve had to overcome.”

Nelson, meanwhile, discussed the importance of patience when starting a new company; she started Art by Aleisha while a junior at SCU and grew it through social media. “I reminded the students that it’s taken me four years—and a lot of late nights and weekends—to get my brand to where it is today.”

Reaching New Heights

After a national search, Manuel Perez ’04 has been selected as the College of San Mateo’s new president.

Bases Loaded

Former SCU softball star Ashley Trierweiler ’23 hits the big leagues.

Golden Drive

Matt McCarty ’21 moved from a close loss to earning his PGA Tour spot with back-to-back wins.

Embodying the Bronco

Three Broncos are honored with 2024 Alumni Awards for commitment to SCU values.