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SPRING 2025HANDBOOKcunystartups.comBaruch College Vertical Building,Room 2-140Keep In TouchWith UsCUNY STARTUPSVol.1 Message

TABLE OF CONTENTSAbout Us/Who we are? A detailed overview of CUNY Startups and theprograms we offer to CUNY students.01NVA MeetingsLeran how we help students/ future founders gofrom idea to the pre-launch of their startup.02Internship OpportunitiesA variety of carreer and employmet opportunitesfor CUNY students.03CUNY Student EntrepreneurSpotlightA spotlight platform that highlights StudentEntrepreneurs and their startup journies0405-07Upcoming EventsSee all the amazing things we have going on withinCUNY startups and at the Entrepreneurship CenterSources in New York ForEntreprenuersA detailed overview of CUNY Startups and theprograms we oiffer to CUNY students.08Random Tip for Entreprenuers09The 4 P’s of Entreprenuership

TABLE OF CONTENTSCEO ClubLearn about the club that gives you the hands-on experience on entrepreneurship10Homme D’AffaireGet to know the company and look out for theirAnnual Fashion Show this year!11Random Tip #2 ForEntrepreneursBe Engaged!125 Things to Consider WhenStarting a Business13Here are some things you should look into whenstarting your businessQuestions to Ask whenCreating a Business IdeaHere are some ways to know if your idea is on theright track14Random Tip #3 forEntreprenuersBe Resilient- Don’t Give up!15Got Questions?16

CUNY Startups provides CUNY students theopportunity to develop and cultivate anentrepreneurial spirit through programs thatspark the entrepreneur within them. We make this possible by guiding students withthe help of our staff and volunteer mentors, so they acquire the necessary tools to become adeveloped entrepreneur.Our staff and volunteer mentors make thispossible through three programs that include:New Venture Accelerator 1 (NVA1), New VentureAccelerator 2 (NVA2) and CUNY Clash,ABOUT US/WHO WE ARE?01

Upcoming EventsUpcoming Events02

New Venture Accelerator (NVA) is a two-cohortprogram (NVA 1 & NVA 2) that gives students hands-on experience and mentorship to take their ideasfrom concept to pre-launch startup. NVA 1 SessionA 10-week program where students spend the first 4 weekson team formation and ideation, followed by 6 weeksdeveloping their venture model and preparing a pitch deck.NVA 2 SessionA 10-week session that consists of information sessions thathelp students prepare for the final pitch competition held atthe end of the ten weeks.MeetingsNVA03

Internship OpportunitiesInternship OpportunitiesSpring forward: a platform forCUNY students to be a aware ofongoing semester long internshipopportunities during the SpringSemester.Career launch: Similar to Springforward but CUNY gives studentsto find an internship year-roundeven in the summer and wintersemesters!Cultural corps: Calling all studentswho want to know more about thearts while getting paid to learn! Thisopportunity makes it possible forstudents to be a part of companiesincluding non-profits to be a part ofthe art world. You also get to workin zoo and preservation societies!Homme D’Affaire- if you wouldlike to work closely with abusiness that was started bystudent entrepreneurs, HommeD’Affaire is opening applicationsfor the Fall 2025 semester. 04

CUNY Student EntrepreneurSpotlightKROMEN is a streetwear brand anda vehicle for artistic expression andstyle. Using only art created andsourced by artist Ethan Canterotherwise known as Kromen Yahoo.Since he was a child Ethan has beenexpressing himself through art,across many mediums. While atBaruch he won the 2023 Essence ofEntrepreneurship MuralCompetition and pens the weeklycomic strip in the Ticker, BaruchBearcats. KROMEN aims tocontinue this artistic evolutionthrough clothing and other items,bringing an abstract, cartoonish,and fresh look to enjoyers offashion and surrealism.School: Baruch CollegeEmeli Perez is a certified lashtechnician who started her businessat the age of 17 years old. Afterworking 2 government- based jobsand faced difficulties with publictransportation and the outsideworld, she started Luxury Lashes ByEm to master a hobby that shecould learn in the comfort of herown home and space. Business wasslow for the first three months, butslowly gained a consistent clientele,where now she is mow blessed tohave many loyal clients and incomingnew clients consistently. She hasnow moved into a shop andexpanded her business. “ I couldn’tbe more grateful for startingsomething under my own name andfor getting myself to where I amtoday.”School: Lehman CollegeEthan CanterEmeli Perez05

CUNY Student EntrepreneurSpotlightSchool: Baruch CollegeHi! My name is Naomi James, and I’m the owner and founder of Sweet[ish]Crafted by Nae—a home-based baking business in Brooklyn, New York. Ilaunched Sweet[ish] in the summer of 2020 during my junior year of highschool, experimenting in my kitchen during the pandemic lockdown. Thatwas when I realized I wanted to merge my love for baking with myentrepreneurial passion.Now, as a junior at Baruch College, I continue growing my business byparticipating in pop-up marketplaces both on campus and around Brooklynwhile marketing through social media. My short-term goals includemaintaining profitability, increasing productivity, and improving my socialmedia presence. In the long run, I aspire to open a storefront, invest in amobile bakery truck, get my treats into local stores and supermarkets, andultimately establish a Sweet[ish] bakery in St. Lucia.School: Baruch CollegeSindaya diackNaomi James06Sindis.Luxury was established in 2020, inspired by a young ladygrowing love for self-care and a keen interest in fragrances.With the support of my parents and extensive research, Ibegan the brand with three signature scents and threeluxurious scented shea butter moisturizers. Since then,Sindis.Luxury has experienced remarkable growth, expandingits offerings to include perfume oils, body scrubs, lip care, bodyoils, and jewelry. Discover your signature scent today withSindis.Luxury!

CUNY Student EntrepreneurSpotlightThe Brand “Pretty Girls” formerly known as“Pretty Girls go to College” was created topromote women empowerment, education,community, and fashion in creative ways. Whatstarted as just a catchy line from a song madetransformed into a brand that accomplishedvarious fashion shows, featured in Baruch’smagazine, and accumulated thousands ofdollars in revenue in domestic and internationalorders. With only being established in 2023,Pretty Girls has been well established in thecreative scene with social media influencersendorsing the brand and is looking to expand todifferent niches in the years to come!Ansel Foster07School: Baruch College

Sources in New York forEntrepreneursDivision of Small Business | EmpireState Development- Thisdepartment makes it possible forsmall businesses to get theguidance and help they need otstart their business, including withfinancial issues. This site also helpsthose with immigrationbackground get the help they needto get started.New York Small DevelopemntBusiness Centers- These locationsare available all over the city foreveryone to get the help they needto start their business. Theyprovide resources and appoint youan advisor who can help youdetermine what you are strugglingwith and what needs moreimprovement.The New York Public Library- Whilethe library has many books avail toyour touch to work, they also providemany other things as well forbusinesses starting out! They holdevents on what you need to be anentreprenuers, they hand outresources, hold competitions. This isalso available for immmigrants whowant to start their own business inNew York!08

The 4 P’s ofEntrepreneurship 1.Before starting a business,plan out your steps forsuccess.PlanPDefining your business'spurpose and customersolutions is crucial whenstarting.PurposePPromoting your businessusing strategies like socialmedia, flyers, anddiscounts boosts customerawareness.PromotePConsider pivoting yourbusiness to maintain orattract clientele if currenttrajectory lacks success.PivotRandom Tip 1P09

CEO ClubIf you are a studentinterested in having amore hands-onexperience at being anentrepreneur and havefun with these skills,then this is the spacefor you! They do many meetings to provide you theresources to know what you need for yourbusiness, connect with you professionals ofcertain fields and current entrepreneurs, andallow you to apply with a business you are workingon in the center.The CEO club has theirmeeting every Thursdayfrom 12:30pm-2pm atNVC 2-140 and Zoom.This Club is also open toall CUNY students whowant to know moreabout entrepreneurship!10

Homme D’AffaireStarted by two students who went to the CEO club andwere inspired by what can be done if you put your mindinto entrepreneurship, Djamina and Renukh created afashion brand for clothes that are professional andcomfortable.Homme D’Affaire has risen the ranks in the pastcouple of years and is currently in the working fortheir fashion show, which is happening April 29that 5pm. This event is open to all CUNY students, soyou don’t want to miss out!Renukh RampaulDjamina Drabo11

Be engaged - engage with teammembers, partners, andcommunity!Be engaged - engage with teammembers, partners, andcommunity!Random Tip 2Team MembersHaving team members is importantbecause they bring diverse skills,ideas, and perspectives thatenhance productivity and innovation. PartnersConsidering partners providecomplementary expertise, improvedecision-making, and help distributeworkload, reducing stress and increasingefficiency. Community Having a community in business fosters trust,support, and long-term customer loyalty. A strongcommunity helps build brand awareness, enhancescustomer engagement, and creates a network ofadvocates who promote your business.12

5 things to consider when startingyour own business5 things to consider when startingyour own businessYour business idea doesn't need to be completelyoriginal—just a small unique twist can make it standout. Focus on showing why yours is the betteroption, whether it's a new concept or a refinedversion. What matters is sparking interest!Costs of your product orserviceCosts of your product orserviceTarget audienceTarget audienceLocationLocationMarketingMarketingYour IdeaYour IdeaWhen starting a business, consider thefinances, such as funding from investors,supply costs, and employee wages. Even if youcharge customers, it's important to know howmuch they're willing to pay and if the valuematches the price.Marketing is key to making your business known. Tocapture attention, find ways to engage youraudience, like collaborating with influencers orcreating content that makes customers think ofyou and want to learn more. Businesses often create products or servicesbased on target customers, gaps in the market, orfeedback on existing options. Knowing youraudience helps guide the development of yourbusiness.Once you know your target audience, plan how toreach them. For apps or websites, focus on visibility;for location-based businesses, identify where youraudience is to grab their attention.13

What hobbies are you a part of?What hobbies are you a part of?What are you studying in school?What are you studying in school?What’s a problem that hasn't beensolved for me and others as well?What’s a problem that hasn't beensolved for me and others as well?If you're passionate about a hobby andwant others to enjoy it too, considerturning it into a business. Many businessesare built around personal interests, sothink about ways to monetize yourpassion and offer it to others.Your major could be thefoundation for a business idea.Whether it's accounting, finance,visual arts, or healthcare,consider how you can turn yourstudies into a business.Business ideas can stem from commonproblems or inconveniences. Identify achallenge people face and create asolution. It could be something simple,like making it easier to crack eggswithout shells. Look for recurringissues and seize the opportunity.14

Be Resilient! - Don’t give upBe Resilient! - Don’t give upRandom Tip 315

Gotquestions?Submit any questions to our emailhi@cunystartups.com

“It’s not about ideas. It’sabout making ideas happen.”Scott BelskyThank you for taking thetime to get to knowCUNYstartups and whatwe have to offer. Don’tmiss out on more activitieswe have coming up and howwe can help you with yourstartup!Location: 55 Lexington Ave Baruch CollegeNewman Vertical BuildingRoom 2-140Want to keep up to date on what’sgoing on?Email: hi@cunystartups.comInstagram: @cunystartupsTiktok: @cunystartupsWebsite: https://cunystartups.com/