If you were to meet Emily for the first time, you would probably walk away envying everything she wears from her trendy handmade jewelry to her beautiful smile. Emily, or Em, is the walking embodiment of “casual cool.” If starting her own successful line of boho-esque jewelry on Etsy isn’t proof enough of her talent and ambition, then maybe you should follow the Instagram of the boutique she works for, Voge, to see her super confident modeling selfies of the boutique’s killer clothes and be convinced of just how beautiful and invested she is in her passions and work. At just 20, she really has set the bar for dream jobs for females in college. She’s not just any employee though, but a manager at Voge. Clearly, she’s in the right major by studying business management at UTSA.
If she’s already accomplished so much during her first two years in college, I can only imagine what it will be like for Her Campus to catch up with her two years from now and see how far her business and endeavors have taken off. Fortunately enough for me, I won’t have to work too hard to track her down considering she is a sister in my sorority. Again, not just any sister but the treasurer for Zeta Tau Alpha. She may wear the crown (a ZTA national symbol), but she doesn’t let it go to her head (yes, pun intended)! Em is very humble in acknowledging how far she has come and recognizing those who have supported her. I can’t wait for you to read on and really learn just why Em is so deserving of campus celeb!
Age: 20
Grade: Junior
Major: Business Management
Involvement: Sorority | Zeta Tau Alpha (Treasurer), Trevy Handmade Jewelry Entrepreneur, Voge Boutique Manager
Quote to live by: “Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts.”
Three words that describe you: Motivated, creative, and hard working
Her Campus (HC): Have you always been interested in fashion?
Emily Trevino (Em): Actually, no. It wasn’t until I started working at Voge Boutique until I realized I had a severe love for fashion. Being surrounded by tons of clothes and having the freedom to mix and match, definitely gave me the confidence that I needed to let my own unique style shine.
HC: As an entrepreneur, what challenges do you face regularly?
Em: As a young entrepreneur, I find it important to stand out from the rest of the similar businesses out there. Most entrepreneurs have the same passion and desires so it is sometimes challenging to branch out and be unique.
HC: Do you feel that you have a disadvantage to men in the business world?
Em: Opportunity: an appropriate or favorable time or occasion; a situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal; a good position, change or prospect, as for advancement or success. I believe that everyone has the ability to be successful, however, I also believe that not everyone is given the opportunity.
HC: How do you feel your career and extracurriculars have contributed to your major and, more so, your vision for your life?
Em: Being so involved in my extracurricular activities, Zeta Tau Alpha, Voge Boutique, Trevy Handmade, etc, has given me more experience and knowledge in such a short time frame. All of them combined have provided me with a sense of independence, courage, and has directed me towards a passion I never knew I had. As a leader, I have had the opportunity to experience many responsibilities from which I learn and grow. I have always been a hard worker with the desire to excel in all that I do. What I did not realize was that without a stable family environment and a strong support system, I may not have excelled in this capacity.
HC: Where do you hope Trevy Handmade is in a few years?
Em: It amazes me to say that Trevy Handmade has been in business for a little over a year. When I started, I didn’t have the mindset of owning my own jewelry line; I just wanted to be creative and try something new. From tassels, to bracelets, to necklaces, I have surely come a long way with Trevy and I hope to see it grow even bigger. After I made my very first Trevy necklace, I wore it the next day and I received so many compliments on it. Doing just that necklace took a lot of time and energy, and I remember telling my friends, “I’m gonna stick with bracelets because this necklace was way too hard.” But guess what?! The Trevy Handmade Necklace is the best selling product and without that leap of faith in making those necklaces, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. So I will continue to have courage in stepping out of my comfort zone and expanding my vision.
HC: What is your advice for struggling self-starters?
Em: Never give up on something you once envisioned. There are times when I get discouraged, but I have to remind myself that I’m probably just having a bad day and to try again tomorrow.
HC: Are your responsibilities ever too much?
Em: Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, but I always manage. Responsibilities come with being a leader and a leader is what I like to be. Most individuals don’t realize that stress is a vital part of life, and without stress the productivity level wouldn’t be nearly as high. That’s why I enjoy having responsibilities. I enjoy going to sleep and looking back on my accomplishments for that day. Keeps me striving for more.
HC: What have you learned about yourself through your endeavors?
Em: Although life can be challenging and there may be bumps throughout the course of your life, I learned that you must bounce back. It’s an open-ended question as to how challenges will affect you in the future; you can either let it define who you are or you can accept them and move on. I choose the latter because I still have so much to live for.
HC: Who is your inspiration?
Em: Throughout my life there have been many people that have been huge inspirations and role models. In my current place in life, I am truly inspired by the owner of Voge Boutique, Kristen Voges Bush. Kristen is a young entrepreneur that has a drive that inspires the people she’s around and she definitely has pushed me to my fullest potential.
HC: How do you deal with failure or setbacks?
Em: Success comes with failure and you have to fail in order to succeed. Take that leap of faith; you never know where it will take you.
HC: What do you plan to do after college?
Em: Ooooo, this is a tough one. I don’t necessarily have plans after college since it is a while away. However, I will continue to stay motived, strive for success, and hope for the best. I know God has a plan for me, so I just need to go with the flow and follow His lead.