Many people who have started a small business or want to try something new often have the same questions. They struggle with what happens next: advertising. Trying to figure out where to begin when starting your small business is a struggle that Howard Hustles aimed to diminish.
As a freshman last year, Howard University student Naesoj Ware envisioned a platform where HU ‘26 could connect with fellow students and small business owners. Shania Jerome responded to their vision and together they created a page where people could gain both publicity and discovery. On July 12, 2022, they started the Howard Hustles Instagram page, @howarduhustles, and gained massive popularity as soon as they began posting. “We aimed to provide them (freshman entrepreneurs) with a foundation for their business endeavors at Howard University, eliminating the need to initiate from scratch in the competitive business landscape,” co-founder Shania explained.
As their following expanded, so did their team. Director of External Affairs, Jaden Smith, and Content Strategist, Ferdinand Idiake, also mentioned a change in entrepreneurship activity on campus since Howard Hustles’ debut. They found a mission and truly have worked hard to keep that mission alive on our campus.
I was able to talk to young entrepreneurs from the class of 2027 who shared the strong impact Howard Hustles had on them and their businesses. Tattoo artist Kalieyah Johnson from Seattle, Washington worried about the difference between how many clients she could receive here at Howard compared to back home. “I wanted to establish a good clientele here as I had to leave my normal clients at home,” she said. There are not many tattoo artists on campus and with the combination of reaching out to hustles, @kalieyah.gabrielle is extremely happy with the outcome.
Hair braider Sydney Warren from Detroit, Michigan was unsure how to continue her business, The Skye Effect, here at Howard University. After hearing about Howard Hustles through some of her clients, she knew reaching out would be the best step forward. “Since I put my business on Howard Hustles, it gave me supporters, followers, and clients who make my business, @theskyeeffect what it is today,” she said.
This page has brought Howard University students together in an original way. Howard Hustles advertises the importance of boosting your fellow bison by showcasing what they do. In addition to giving students this platform, the page also has a segment named “Hustle Talk.” Shania explained, “This platform showcases that Hustles is not solely about entrepreneurship; we’ve interviewed athletes, models, and accomplished individuals from various organizations, highlighting that everyone has their unique way of hustling and excelling in their respective fields.”
This year, the Howard Hustles team hopes to do more to promote businesses through their platform. They clarified, “We aim to provide these entrepreneurs with the essential materials and resources needed to kick start their businesses on the right footing.” This team has already done so much for our many small businesses on campus and we are excited to see what more they bring to the table.