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Third year, Accounting student and successful participant within the London Small Business Centre’s Summer Company program

Odessa Anya Olyfveldt
Our university offers a wide variety of research and extracurricular activities to get involved in, and there are more than enough resources to go around. This type of environment is exactly what is going to help me get into law school when I graduate.

Meet Odessa Anya Olyfveldt, a third-year Accounting student and successful participant within the London Small Business Centre’s Summer Company program.

Out of 100 students, Summer Company was only able to select 16 to pursue their entrepreneurial initiatives. After an intensive application process, Odessa was delighted to be one of them. In recognition of her outstanding business plan, she was provided with the resources to launch her company, Allure Bath & Body Bar.

Odessa had always been interested in beauty and naturally gravitated towards producing a line of truly unique bath and body products for clients of all ages and skin types. Once she learned how to produce high-quality soaps, bath bombs and lotions, she connected with Huron’s Coordinator, Career Development, Britney Hunter, who introduced Odessa to the idea of applying for the Summer Company program.

Britney supported Odessa alongside other Huron students who hoped to launch their unique business ideas. The young entrepreneur talks about the importance of the guidance she received, “Britney was the one who made me aware of this opportunity. She not only supported me emotionally, but also checked in throughout the process and was there for me – either by reviewing my business plan or celebrating my successes.”

Originally from Guyana, Odessa arrived in Canada in 2017 and began studying at Huron almost immediately. While she left the majority of her family back in the Caribbean, Odessa shares that Huron’s small campus made the transition extremely easy: “I love it here. Everyone knows each other, so it’s easy to make friends,” she explains.

“Our university also offers a wide variety of research and extracurricular activities to get involved in, and there are more than enough resources to go around. This type of environment is exactly what is going to help me get into law school when I graduate.”

In addition to the major benefits of Huron’s close-knit campus, our students have access to everything that happens at Western, which is exactly how Odessa was able to launch Allure. Through the Summer Company program, she connected with finance, marketing and feasibility mentors. Their advice and the financial support she received empowered her to begin selling her products at the Covent Garden Market, in addition to online via Etsy.

Odessa is excited to see where her hard work will take her and advises other students to pursue whichever passions they may have while understanding anything worth nurturing is going to be a ton of work. More than that, this Guyanese student recognizes that no matter where her work ethic takes her, she will continue to live the values instilled in her through Huron’s mission of developing Leaders with Heart.

“For me, this type of leadership is all about passion. Some businesspeople are involved in projects for alternative reasons, but it’s this passion that will drive you forward, no matter how hard you have to work.”

Huron is proud of Odessa’s talent, dedication and determination to align with positive models of leadership. We look forward to seeing how her next steps unfold – and how we may support her.

If you want to learn more about Odessa’s products and follow her journey click here.