STCC students recognized for entrepreneurial spirit

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College student Kasey Carter drew inspiration for an award-winning business idea from her four-legged friend named Luna.

Carter, of Enfield, Conn., created Little Legs & Co. to provide affordable, unique bandanas for dogs. She describes herself as a full-time nursing student at STCC and “dog mom” to her corgi.

“Dogs are my passion,” said Carter, who decided to create a business that allows people to personalize their pet’s style. “It’s a fun stress relief. Nursing school can be really stressful. The business was a creative outlet and something that I can make a little money on. It’s done really well.”

Carter said she was surprised and delighted when she received the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award from the Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative (EI) to support her business. Carter and two other STCC students were recognized April 28 at the EI’s Virtual Celebration of Entrepreneurship Spirit.  

The three STCC students joined students from 14 area colleges who highlighted their business ventures in the 2021 Grinspoon Entrepreneur Showcase Gallery.

Business Professor Diane Sabato, who advised the students, said the Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative provides a valuable opportunity.

“They support area colleges as they teach entrepreneurship and support student startups,” Sabato said. “Grinspoon has been so supportive over the years, and every year we are able to have a student compete in the pitch competition. We recognize students for taking the initiative while they’re in school to begin working on their business ideas or for students like Kasey who has actually started a business on the side while she is attending school.”

Sabato encourages students to start businesses while they are in school. Institutions like STCC and the Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative can offer support. Sabato currently serves as the Intellectual Property (IP) Educator in Residence for the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship.

“I’m so excited to recognize Kasey for her business,” Sabato said. “What’s so inspiring about Kasey is that in addition to being a nursing student, which is incredibly demanding, she saw an opportunity inspired by her love as a ‘dog mom’ for her corgi and took the entrepreneurial leap.”

The name of the business, Little Legs & Co., came from the fact that Carter has two dogs with short legs. "As a small dog owner,  Kasey found that cute bandanas were always made for bigger dogs,” Sabato said. “So she saw that interesting niche, and came up with a great idea. She launched her business, created product, came up with a logo, a business identity, and an Etsy website, all while studying nursing.” 

Carter started her business in December 2020 and launched the venture on Etsy, an e-commerce website, in January. 

Sabato said Carter has received a strong, positive response to her business based on website comments.

The other STCC students who showcased their businesses at the Grinspoon Entrepreneur Initiative were Elizabeth Ryer and Dasan McGhee.

Ryer of Ludlow markets “unique gifts for all occasions,” including one of a kind, hand crafted dominoes, through her venture called Tiger Lili Artistry, which can be found on Etsy. McGhee, who works as a firefighter for the city of Springfield, is working on his business plan for Fit Family Fun, a group aerobic exercise class and health education center for the whole family.

“We were delighted to have students with such entrepreneurial spirit, and that we are able to recognize them thanks to the Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative,” Sabato said.

Harold Grinspoon, real estate entrepreneur, founded the Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative (EI) in 2003 (a program of the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation) to elevate the importance of entrepreneurship and recognize entrepreneurial excellence among college students. A regional collaboration of Pioneer Valley Colleges and Universities, Grinspoon EI hosts two high-profile events, and recognizes outstanding students with Entrepreneurial Spirit Awards. 

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequalled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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