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Category: Entrepreneur

Student Spotlight: Kaila Hamawi

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Kaila Hamawi, a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student from Ontario, is pursuing a major in Marketing with a certificate in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. She chose Dalhousie to experience life on the east coast and take advantage of the co-op program. “I wanted to start fresh in a new environment, and the program sounded great, especially because it included co-op,” Kaila explains. Her decision was also influenced by her cousin, a Dal alum, who spoke highly of the university’s supportive atmosphere and opportunities for personal growth.

Kaila’s co-op journey began at ProudMouth, a company that helps businesses market their services through podcasts. “Finding a co-op was difficult in my first year,” she recalls, “but a connection referred me to ProudMouth, and I liked the idea of working at a small company where I could make a big impact.” The company’s focus on podcasting as a marketing tool also resonated with her.

Kaila went on to complete all three of her co-ops at ProudMouth. During her time there, she appreciated the flexibility of the remote work environment, which allowed her to balance her job with her mental health and school responsibilities. Kaila’s co-op roles varied, but her favourite was working as a content creator and project manager. “I enjoyed producing content for clients, editing their podcasts, and managing the PodBlast website.” This hands-on experience gave her valuable insights into the importance of content creation in building a business and fostering audience engagement.

Kaila’s time at ProudMouth also taught her the significance of authenticity in content. “I learned how crucial it is to create content that resonates with audiences,” she reflects. “It’s not just about pushing a message, but about connecting with people and giving them a reason to follow along.” These lessons have fueled her passion for content creation, leading her to start vlogging and producing her own social media content. “It was something I had always wanted to try but never did because I was worried about what others would think,” Kaila admits. “But with the encouragement of my stepsister, I finally took the leap.”

Looking ahead, Kaila envisions herself growing her content creation platform and building a community of like-minded individuals. “I want to document my journey, give advice to others, and create a space for people who share similar passions,” she says. Her advice to aspiring content creators is to focus on doing it for themselves. “It’s important to remember that this journey is for you, not for anyone else. Don’t worry about the end goal—just enjoy the process and adapt along the way.”

With a growing portfolio, Kaila is excited about her future in marketing, content creation, and entrepreneurship, confident that her experiences will continue to shape her professional path.

Student Spotlight: Lauren Yellan

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Lauren Yellan, a second-year student from Oakville, Ontario, is currently navigating her summer semester in the Commerce Co-op program. Her decision to join the program at Dalhousie was driven by a desire to gain relevant work experience through her co-op opportunities, as well as and the draw of Atlantic Canada’s vibrant culture and scenic landscapes.

Lauren completed her first co-op in winter 2024 at Digital Nova Scotia (DNS) as a Marketing Communications Coordinator. There, she honed her skills in content creation and video editing, which included initiating a TikTok presence for DNS, achieving impressive engagement metrics and contributing significantly to the organization’s digital outreach strategies. “It felt like one big family—everyone was very welcoming and eager to help the co-op students learn and grow.” Lauren shares that the team’s welcoming culture and proactive mentorship approach enabled her to integrate seamlessly into the organization and amplify her learning. This inclusive atmosphere left a lasting impression, influencing Lauren’s approach to collaboration and professional development.

Lauren’s first co-op was not her first experience with the professional world, however. Driven by her passion for social media and entrepreneurship, she founded Dueljewelss in 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 lockdown. “I launched Dueljewelss at the age of 15 as a way to earn money during isolation when part-time jobs weren’t available.” What began as a platform for selling second-hand clothing evolved into a thriving jewellery business. Lauren’s strategic pivot to room decor products catered specifically to the student demographic in Nova Scotia.

Reflecting on her job search experience, Lauren shares a memory from her first year at Dal, when she applied for a digital marketing role that was advertised for second- and third-year students. “My application was initially declined, but I reached out to the hiring manager, expressing my strong interest in the role and my passion for marketing. I requested a chance to chat in person.” After proactive outreach, she secured an interview and then an offer. “Anything is possible if you believe in yourself and have confidence!”

Here is Lauren’s advice for you:

  • Seize opportunities, even if they seem initially beyond reach.
  • Don’t judge a job solely based on its description. Research the opportunity and the organization.
  • Look up past Dalhousie co-op students who have held similar roles to see their experiences.
  • Start your business in something that you are passionate about.

Looking ahead, Lauren remains committed to expanding Dueljewelss while pursuing diverse co-op experiences to further enrich her skill set.

Student Spotlight: Beth Langille

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A white woman smiling with medium length brown hair Beth Langille is a third-year Commerce Co-op student majoring in Marketing. Her co-op journey began with Shannex in winter 2023, where she worked in a Marketing and Communications role. This opportunity allowed her to collaborate with a diverse team and engage in challenging projects that significantly contributed to her degree’s practical application. Her responsibilities included content creation and campaign coordination, tasks that have prepared her well for her current role as a Content and Campaign Coordinator during her final co-op term at Shannex.

In between her co-ops at Shannex, Beth worked as a Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator at the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust for her second co-op. There, she not only learned about the rich naval history of Halifax, but also applied her skills to promote the organization’s initiatives. “It was a fun challenge to prove that everything has a story to be shared and can be used for marketing efforts to grow a brand.” Notably, she organized a successful inaugural holiday event, forging lasting connections with public figures and the Department of National Defense.

Beth’s enthusiasm for marketing stems from her love of collaboration and the opportunity to make a lasting impact through teamwork. “While teamwork can sometimes be challenging, it is so exciting to get a project across the finish line with a group of great people who have similar long-term goals.”

Throughout her time in the Commerce Co-op program, Beth has prioritized collaboration to build a robust portfolio of projects. Her involvement with the Dalhousie Commerce Society as the VP Internal Operations has further enhanced her leadership and organizational skills. This role allows her to contribute to the student community while managing additional responsibilities alongside her co-op commitments.

Networking has also played a pivotal role in Beth’s journey. “Attending networking events and using LinkedIn over the past few years has been a great chance to grow my personal brand, image and network with local professionals I have met along the way.” She shares that she views networking as a critical part of her upcoming job search post-graduation. “The networking process is important because it shows your future employer that you are driven in any task at hand and will apply that drive in your work once you secure the job.”

Here is Beth’s advice for you:

  • Be friendly and professional while networking.
  • Make eye contact.
  • Remember that intimidating people are human too. Research common interests to establish a memorable connection.
  • When you showcase interpersonal skills, recruiters see you as a valuable addition to their team, which is crucial for project success.

Student Spotlight: Kiarah Seon

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Kiarah Seon, a fourth-year Commerce Co-op student from Bermuda, is using her passion for artificial nail extension design to start and run her own company, Divine Nail Care, while she’s still in school. Kiarah took advantage of the opportunity to complete an entrepreneurial work term to grow her new business venture.

Divine Nail Care (DNC) is a start-up business providing goods for nail care, nail enhancements, and nail technology. Kiarah introduced DNC’s first product, the ‘Net Nails N3 Smart Nail Chip’ or Net Nails for short, in February 2022. It is a radio inductive fingernail chip that utilizes near-field communication (NFC) to share links and files with mobile users. Simply tap your fingernail on the NFC-inducing area of the cellphone to unveil the unlimited information-sharing options.

Kiarah considers developing an infrastructure that her company can grow on, forming constructive business relationships within her industry, and making sales to be her biggest achievements during her entrepreneurial work term. “Start-ups require a great deal of consistency, patience, and self-governing. Considering this, every small milestone feels like a big accomplishment,” she says. She thoroughly enjoyed how often her daily activities would change and being in control of her own learning experience and professional development while driving her own business venture. Kiarah says entrepreneurship has taught her to adapt and follow through. “My business mentor and family were a great support in decision-making when I hit an obstacle. It is important to ask questions, not only from those you know but also from those you have ‘yet’ to know,” she says.

Since Kiarah was young, her dream has always been to be a serial entrepreneur and angel investor. She aspires to work for herself and eventually help others, specifically friends and family, in creating the life they desire most. “I feel equipped with the knowledge necessary to start taking on this lifestyle,” she says. As she began her entrepreneurial work term, she was looking forward to the unexpected. Although she created SMART goals and forecasted potential growth, she couldn’t predict how her work term would have impacted her business, which made every new day exciting and interesting. She thanks her professor and business mentor Albert James and her Career and Recruitment Specialist for helping her during the process and being ready to support her whenever she had questions.

Kiarah has some advice to share with her fellow students: “You must believe in yourself and be willing to take risks. When you’re building a company from the ground up, the top of the mountain looks a lot further away. You must be determined to persevere and understand there will be lows along with the highs. Know who you are and trust in your ability to make your vision a reality.”

Student Spotlight: Maral Porretta

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Maral Porretta worked in the fashion and beauty industry for 10 years before joining Dalhousie’s Corporate Residency MBA program. Attracted by the 8-month paid work term and courses such as the elective offered by Creative Destruction Lab for those looking to start their own ventures, the Mongolian-born Ottawan chose Dalhousie to pursue an MBA. She is using her time in the program to work toward her dream of becoming a fashion editor and having her own fashion and beauty line.

Maral recently completed her Corporate Residency at The 7 Virtues Beauty Inc., a beauty social enterprise that sells organic and sustainable perfumes made with ingredients sourced from nations rebuilding after war or strife. She worked as a Marketing and Merchandising Lead. “My biggest accomplishment was being able to help increase sales across multiple Sephora stores in Ontario and Atlantic Canada through facilitating education about the brand and its products,” she says. She shares that she also thoroughly enjoyed developing relationships with Sephora executives. Maral had the opportunity to work on a new perfume and lead new social media and digital marketing strategies by diversifying their content – two projects that she was extremely excited about. “There were so many opportunities to travel and engage with clients and Sephora teams worldwide!” She worked from home for the first four months before travelling to different provinces. “Having that mix was really fun, exciting, and balanced the workload,” she says.

Maral credits her amazing Corporate Residency experience to Jennie Brimicombe, Career and Resilience Coach at Dalhousie, who helped her connect with her employer. When asked for advice for other students, she shared something very simple but true. “Hone in on your passion! Ask yourself, ‘what’s my purpose in life? What’s my dream job?’ Then you can reach out to people in that field on LinkedIn, network, and be proactive. Lastly, have fun! Your work should never feel like work, and it should be something that drives you to excellence.”

Student Spotlight: Jasmine Rana

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Meet Jasmine Rana, a second-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student who is planning to major in Marketing. She came to Dalhousie from Oakville, Ontario to experience living in a university town. “Halifax is very different from where I grew up and I was excited to get out of my comfort zone, meet new people and be able to call this place a temporary home,” she says.

Jasmine worked for Dash Hudson as a Marketing Intern for her recent co-op in the winter. Dash Hudson is a marketing software company that focuses on social entertainment and producing metrics and insights that brands can utilize to measure their social media performance. “Engagement as a brand is extremely important because it helps solidify your presence on social media and humanizes the brand. I had the pleasure of creating an engagement playbook for Dash Hudson, which was my greatest accomplishment of the term,” she says. In the playbook, she outlined what strategies work and don’t work on social media and listed ideas the company could use.

Jasmine says that she truly felt like part of the team at Dash Hudson, being constantly involved and getting a chance to express her ideas. “I was able to participate in the monthly social insights meetings compiling the analytics across all social platforms to help assess our performance: what we can do better, what is going well, and what should be tested going into the next month,” she says. She also had the opportunity to demonstrate her creativity by making TikToks, Instagram Reels, and graphics for social media channels. She contributed a Gen Z perspective, giving the brand options for current social media trends and providing team members content to amplify the hashtag #LifeatDashHudson.

Jasmine was excited about meeting her manager, diving into her responsibilities, and getting work experience at a company she truly admired. “I am lucky to have been in an environment that fosters discussions and welcomes questions, which allow me to complete my best possible work,” she says. She worked remotely throughout the term, finding the transition to the online environment to be a smooth one. “Dash Hudson offered me a space to learn and grow, and I have been able to find myself more while working with extremely talented individuals on work that is so innovative and cutting edge. If this is what work life is like, sign me up!”

Jasmine’s advice for you:

  • Start your job search early and make sure to have all of your documents in order.
  • Identify what you like within your co-op role, from responsibilities, to people, to environment, as it can help align your future career path.
  • Keep an eye out for experiences that you would love to have again as well as those you are longing for.
  • Remember that you’re doing your best and that’s what matters.

Instagram Handle: @jasminerana__

Pronouns: she/her

Student Spotlight: Himanshu Kumar

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Himanshu Kumar is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce student majoring in Marketing Management. He was born and raised in Bihar, India. Himanshu came to Dalhousie through non-traditional methods, first applying to the Engineering program and eventually attending the University of Manitoba with the hope of transferring to Dalhousie at some point. After one year at UofM, Himanshu realized that he was more interested in the world of marketing. “I was exposed to marketing through some of the electives, and that’s when I realized what my true passion was. I thus set on to ensure I could align my passion with my field of study. I quickly started researching the best available universities with marketing programs, and  as I would have imagined, Dalhousie University seemed to be the right choice. The coursework, pedagogy, global ranking of the university and the mandatory co-op program again put Dalhousie on my dream list.” Himanshu added. With Himanshu’s hard work and determination, he increased his GPA and secured a place in his newly desired dream program here at Dalhousie.

Himanshu quickly began looking for work that would allow him to gain marketing experiences while simultaneously building his resume. He received a part-time job in sales and marketing that allowed him to do just that, “I was able to secure a job at a Mobile boutique store. This job helped me develop many of the interpersonal skills that are key to the field of marketing.” Himanshu added.

Despite the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, Himanshu landed his fall work term at Proposify as a Product Marketing Intern in early summer. In his job search, Himanshu sought the help of his Career and Recruitment Specialist to prepare and worked hard to find his dream job. Himanshu believes that the help and aid of Management Career Services allowed him to become more of a polished professional individual, “MCS has played a major role in developing my career. MCS’s support in resume review, mock interviews, and career counselling has helped me equip myself better for the corporate world. I believe, through their services, MCS has helped me build myself as a much more skilled and polished individual. I am ever thankful for the mentor that I have found in Jonathan Perry.” Himanshu added. In this role, Himanshu is involved with competitive intelligence, blog writing, and many other product marketing facets. “Proposify has truly helped me put my classroom learnings into practice in the corporate world. It has given me a plethora of learning opportunities with the safety net of the supportive team,” Himanshu added.

The ongoing pandemic has affected every one of us in very different ways. Himanshu has taken this time to work on gaining skills and developing a healthy lifestyle, “A gregarious person that I am, I always enjoy being in the company of other beings. The current situation of lockdowns and social distancing has thus not been very encouraging for me as an individual. I have used this time to keep myself busy by learning new skills, reading the long-pending books that I had on my to-read list, pursuing hobbies that I always wanted to and, most importantly, developing a healthy and active lifestyle. This entire process has made me a much more disciplined and determined individual than I was ever before.”

Tips from Himanshu:

  1. Follow your dreams and choose a career path that you are passionate about.
  2. Social media platforms like LinkedIn are powerful tools to help you understand various career paths and connect with the right individuals. Use them to the best of your ability.
  3. Put yourself out there and get involved in on-campus activities (or virtual events for the time being).

You can follow Himanshu on Instagram at himanshu_sawarn.

Student Spotlight: Margaret Lewis

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Margaret Lewis is from Halifax, Nova Scotia, and she has lived there almost her whole life. She graduated from Dalhousie’s Corporate Residency MBA program in June 2019. Before completing her MBA, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology also at Dalhousie.

During her MBA, she found an internship at Scotiabank as a Small Business Advisor. In this role, she worked with small business clients and students in professional programs. Up until recently, she worked as a Business Analyst. This role was responsible for project management, providing analytical support on marketing initiatives, conducting market analyses and creating business process workflows, flowcharts and product documentation

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, she was laid off from her Business Analyst role., “I knew that it would be difficult for job searching, but I tried to remain positive,” she said. Marketing has always been Margaret’s true passion, so she knew she needed to continue finding her dream job. One successful approach for Margaret was reaching out to individuals who worked within the industry to talk to them about their marketing experiences and any advice. Over the last five months, she met with many people virtually to continue her search. She mentioned that she was very grateful for the opportunity and appreciated the knowledge that it gave her.

Another way that Margaret stayed positive thought her job search was her continued effort to become more qualified. She took online courses and certification relevant to the areas she wanted to work in, such as Google Ads, Google analytics and some HubSpot marketing courses. Continuing to learn and study helped her stay motivated and increased her desirability to employers.

Margaret’s continued effort finally paid off, and she has just received an Advertising Analyst position at a local Halifax marking company. She is set to begin this month and is excited about what the role has to offer; she added, “I am excited for this role as it will combine my passion for marketing and analytics and work with a great team.”. Due to the ongoing pandemic, Margaret will be working from home but is not concerned because her employer has an extensive virtual onboarding/training program.

Margaret’s Advice:

  • Network with as many individuals as possible because each person you speak with will provide a different perspective and new advice. There are also many great free resources (e.g. certifications and courses) online that can make you stand out to potential employers.
  • Know that you are not alone. This is a difficult time for all job hunters, but the right opportunity will come along when you least expect it!

 

Student Spotlight – Noah Innes

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For this week’s edition of our student spotlight, Noah Innes, a 3rd year Bachelor of Commerce student shares his experience.

Originally from Halifax, Noah chose Dalhousie’s Commerce program for the mandatory co-op and the opportunity to gain valuable work experience during an undergraduate degree.

Over the last Fall, Noah secured his job with InterTalk Critical Information System as a Marketing Intern. InterTalk  is a company based in Dartmouth that makes and sells and sells radio dispatch consoles. He was attracted to the job because it was a completely new position in the company which means the scope of development was huge. In his role at InterTalk, he was responsible for managing their social media, writing press releases, and maintaining the website.

While talking about managing a heavy workload, Noah said that his strategy to an effective work term search “is to get started early, preferably by using connections and networking, before the academic load picks up.  I also have decided to only invest time applying to positions I am extremely interested in”.

Noah’s short-term goal is to find a third co-op position that allows him to build upon his current business acumen. His long-term goal is to find a full-time job in a marketing or customer related role with a large multinational company.

Tips of the week from Noah:

  • Ensure you take the time to personalize each cover letter, even if it may seem not to be worth the time investment.
  • Network as much as you can – the old adage ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ is actually true.
  • Maintaining a good balance between your social and academic life is critical for your happiness while doing a university degree. Get your work done first, then you can have a fun time without any responsibilities hanging over you.
  • Ensure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and has as much detail as possible.
  • Leverage your shared connections on LinkedIn and ensure all connection invitations are sent with a personal memo.
  • Maintain your connections throughout your degree – that means meeting for coffee chats to update them on your academic progress. You never know when one of them may have a hiring need down the road.

Do you want additional tips on your resume and cover letter? Book an appointment with your CRS to learn more. 

Book via myCareer or pop in to Management Career Services at Room 2100 in the Rowe Building.

Student Spotlight – Henry Locker

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Henry Locker is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce student who recently completed a four-month co-op in Vietnam as an Asia Representative. Originally from Halifax, he chose Dalhousie’s Commerce program for the mandatory co-ops and the opportunity to gather a real work environment while exploring multiple industries. “The co-op program is very reputable and unique with 3 staggered co-op placements. This gives me the ability to test the water in many industries” said Henry.Henry

Henry used his networking skills and reached out to friends’ families to find this job. Over the last fall, Henry secured a self-developed job with Confederation Partner in Vietnam, an international finance and service company. Confederation offers many methods for high net-worth individuals and their families to become dual citizens in Canada, USA, European Union, and the Caribbean Islands. He was attracted to this job because the work was inspiring, and he enjoys the satisfaction that this service offers. As an Asia Representative, he performed a variety of different roles, finding the appropriate location for an office at an appropriate price and working with the marketing team to market the company to prospective clients. He was a keynote speaker at 8 seminars with attendance ranging from 30 to 100 people.

Henry spoke to us about his transition, saying “The biggest difference between working in Canada and Vietnam is that Its very common for a workweek in Vietnam to consist of Monday through Saturday 8am to 6pm, and it’s common for most people to even bring work home with them. Even the communication preference is different, most people used an instant messaging app instead of email.”

After Graduation Henry is looking to do his MBA at Dalhousie and continue to explore options in different MarHenrykets. To follow Henry’s success, follow him on his Instagram @henry_lockyer .