University of Phoenix Recognizes Alumni Business Owners During Small Business Week
May 06 2016 - 4:29PM
Business Wire
Ten percent of University of Phoenix alumni own
their own businesses, according to alumni survey
Across America, small business owners are at the heart of
communities. They create jobs,1 support the local economy and help
the dreamers in all of us see it is possible to turn a good idea
into a viable business. Ten percent of University of Phoenix®
alumni currently own their own businesses, according to the
University’s 2015 annual alumni survey.2
“It is not surprising that a significant number of University of
Phoenix graduates are business owners because entrepreneurism takes
resiliency, and this is inherent in many of our students,” said
Ruth Veloria, executive dean of University of Phoenix School of
Business. “We are proud of our students, faculty and alumni who are
often juggling work, family and school and find it within
themselves to also pursue their own ventures.”
This Small Business Week, University of Phoenix congratulates
innovative alumni who are realizing their dreams and running
successful businesses, and highlights their experiences using
higher education as the foundation for their entrepreneurial
aspirations.
- Albert
Giacomazzi, Santa Clarita, Calif., Owner, AMG & Associates,
Inc. – Giacomazzi earned both his bachelor’s
degree and MBA at University of Phoenix. AMG & Associates, a
general contracting business with expertise in all aspects of
construction from conceptual design through occupancy, was formed
by Giacomazzi in 2006 and has been named to the Inc. 5000 four out
of the last five years. Additionally, in 2015, the Los Angeles
Business Journal recognized AMG as one of the fastest growing
companies in Los Angeles County. According to Giacomazzi, since he
opened the doors, his company’s revenues have quadrupled, and are
projected to grow an additional 10-15 percent this year.
“As a business owner, each day I face unique
challenges that vary in nature considerably. The education I
received at University of Phoenix has given me the necessary tools
to better deal with any issue regardless of the complexity,” said
Giacomazzi. “Both of my degrees have given me the confidence and
determination to run my company and engage in problem-solving
issues of all types.”
- Felicia Evans
Long, Rockville, Md., Owner, Sweet Events and Planning, LLC and
Sweet Candy Café – Felicia Evans Long started
Sweet Events and Planning in 2008, the same year she earned her MBA
from University of Phoenix. The Washington, D.C.-area event
planning company has been featured in The Knot DC Wedding Magazine
and was named the “Sweetest Booth” by the Washington Bridal
Showcase in 2010. In addition to running this successful business,
Evans Long started a second business, Sweet Candy Café, a
confectionary retail storefront in Lumberton, N.C., in 2012. Sweet
Candy Café was the 2015 recipient of a grant from the
MC/Manufacturing Confectionery Publishing Company of Princeton,
Wisconsin. This educational grant allowed Sweet Candy Café to
participate in the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago in May 2015.
Both businesses have been featured in Woman’s World magazine.
“The only way to get started pursuing a dream
is to get started,” said Evans Long. “Attaining my education at
University of Phoenix armed me with the training and the confidence
I needed to get started, and I am now living my dream by owning and
operating two successful businesses.”
- Trellis
Bernard Mercer, Detroit, Mich., Owner, LoveLifeSwagger
– Trellis Bernard Mercer, aka “Bernard Bentley,” graduated
from University of Phoenix in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in
Business Administration. For the past seven years, he has been
growing his clothing line, “LoveLifeSwagger,” in the Detroit area
and beyond. Mercer’s designs, currently sold in five states, have
been worn by entertainers and professional athletes around the
country. Mercer’s company has been featured in Detroit-area and
national media.
“Throughout my time at University of Phoenix,
I learned the importance of living in the dual space of being a
professional and a student. I learned that those two facets of my
life are equally important, especially as an entrepreneur,” said
Mercer. “The ability to grow as a professional, while challenging
myself to learn as much as I can, was part of the invaluable
education I received from University of Phoenix.”
- Rebecca
Scarberry, Milwaukee, Wis., Owner, Becky’s Blissful
Bakery - Rebecca Scarberry founded Becky’s
Blissful Bakery out of her home in Pewaukee, Wis., in 2007. Her
business has grown exponentially since then, and her gourmet
caramels can be found in fine food stores and boutiques in 35
states. Scarberry, who earned her Bachelor of Science in
Business/Management from University of Phoenix, has received
numerous awards, including The Milwaukee Business Journal’s Forty
Under 40 Award, The Business Journal’s Eureka Award and the
Pewaukee Chamber Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Additionally,
Becky’s Blissful Bakery has been featured by media across the
country, and the story will be shared in an upcoming book called
“The Ah-Ha Effect,” featuring 18 women sharing the breakthrough
moments that led to their success.
“Communication is the single most valuable
tool to any business. My communications classes at University of
Phoenix prepared me for the numerous presentations to clients,
groups and corporations I make as a business owner,” said
Scarberry. “Speaking to groups and being able to connect and engage
them takes great practice and experience. My business degree
prepared me for the real road to business and being an
entrepreneur.”
“University of Phoenix commends all of our alumni who have
persevered and built their own businesses,” continued Veloria. “We
know firsthand the challenges businesses face, and are proud to
offer academic programs that are built by business leaders and
reflect these dynamics; in fact, many of our faculty are business
owners themselves. What is exciting is that business education is
getting more customized to meet students where they are at, so
options range from small, bite-sized professional development
courses to accelerator programs to industry-aligned certificates
and full degree programs.”
For more information about University of Phoenix School of
Business programs or resources for aspiring business owners, please
visit the School of Business Entrepreneur page.
For general information about University of Phoenix programs,
including on-time completion rates, the median debt incurred by
students who completed the program and other important information,
please visit phoenix.edu/programs/gainful-employment.
1
https://www.sba.gov/managing-business/running-business/energy-efficiency/sustainable-business-practices/small-business-trends
and
http://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2015/econ/g12-susb.pdf2
Cheng, H. (2015, November 17). 2015 University of Phoenix Alumni
survey, Research & Insights
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working
adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly
changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses,
and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue
career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives.
As a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL),
University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering
associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from
campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online
throughout the world. For more information, visit
www.phoenix.edu.
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University of PhoenixTanya Burden,
303-570-0617tanya.burden@apollo.edu
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