“Sometimes being comfortable isn’t always the solution…being curious leads you to trying something new.”
Lilia Juarez, a first-generation student from Madison, is carving her own path as both a college student and an entrepreneur. She is a triple major, studying Spanish, Living Studies, and Chicano & Latino Studies while also pursuing a certificate in entrepreneurship. Lilia’s academic pursuits are ambitious, but her entrepreneurial journey is equally remarkable. Her passion for creating something meaningful has led her to start a flower business that she is determined to grow despite the challenges of being a full-time student.
Although Lilia initially didn’t consider business as a potential career, she soon discovered her passion for it. Her interest was sparked when she enrolled in the Introduction to Entrepreneurship course. “I personally did not believe I could do business or do anything like that until I took this entrepreneurship class,” she admits. This class opened her eyes to the possibilities that business could offer, not just as a career but as a way of exploring herself and her future.
Before diving into entrepreneurship classes, Lilia decided to experiment with her own business idea: making flowers. What started as a fun side hustle grew into something more meaningful, especially when her family became involved in the venture. She started by buying one roll of ribbon and experimenting with making flowers in her room. “My first rose was, I’ll be honest, it did not turn out good. It looked like a pine cone,” she laughs. Despite the initial struggles, she continued to experiment, refining her technique and learning through trial and error. After that first rose was made, Flores Eternas was born.
As she gained confidence in her skills, Lilia began involving her family in the process, which helped her expand the business. “We all work together,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in growing a business. To make the venture more official, one of her siblings set up an Instagram account to showcase their products, which allowed her to reach a wider audience, and the orders from customers began to roll in. Through social media, she was able to customize orders, tailoring her flowers to customers’ preferences, including adding chocolate or even stuffed animals as part of the design.
Lilia’s entrepreneurship classes have made a significant impact on how she approaches her business. She credits the Introduction to Entrepreneurship course with broadening her understanding of business and helping her discover what motivates her. “It opened my knowledge in a point of like wow, I did not know business can be a way of exploring your ways in your career and not only that, like yourself, but as an individual as well,” she says.
As a first-generation college student, Lilia is aware of the challenges she faces and the significance of her accomplishments. She believes that her story can inspire others who come from similar backgrounds. Lilia sees herself as a leader, showing others that it’s possible to overcome obstacles and achieve success. “If one person starts it, it can make a huge impact,” she reflects.
Lilia’s journey as a first-generation student and entrepreneur is a testament to the power of curiosity, hard work, and passion. From her academic pursuits at UW-Madison to her flower business, she is forging her own path and proving that with determination, anything is possible. As she continues to balance her studies and business, Lilia remains committed to learning and growing, both as an individual and as an entrepreneur. Her story is one of resilience, creativity, and inspiration, and it serves as a reminder that taking risks and following one’s passion can lead to great success.
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