Middlesex Community College: MCC Entrepreneurship Student Receives Cummings Scholarship

Press release from the Middlesex Community College:

Caitlin Buckley

11/4/2021

Suzy Eaton, of Woburn, recognized a need for clothing that made her feel her best and was both casual and stylish. With a passion for creating designs and products – and the knowledge that there was a market for it – Eaton decided to use her talents to start her own clothing brand.

Tapping into her creative side was easy. In the past, Eaton had experience making and selling items such as fashion jewelry, t-shirts, clothing, glasses, cups and holiday items, and thrives off of the “endless” ideas that come to mind. What she needed was guidance in figuring out how to run a successful business. Her research led her to Middlesex Community College.

Eaton’s first step was to schedule a call with Middlesex adjunct faculty member Franky Descoteaux. After hearing what Eaton was looking for, Descoteaux pointed her in the direction of the college’s Launch Your Business Now (LYBN) certificate program, which is meant for students who have a business plan in mind and are ready to take the next steps.

After then meeting with Stacie Hargis, MCC’s Professor and Entrepreneurship Coordinator, Eaton enrolled in the program and prepared to learn how to build her business from concept to launch. From the start, she knew it “would be the best thing for me.”

“It has been a very great learning experience,” Eaton said. “I have learned so much, so much I would never have been able to do alone without the proper guidance these ladies [MCC’s Descoteaux and Hargis] have given me.”

In MCC’s LYBN program, Eaton is not simply being told the theory of running a business, she is being provided with hands-on experiences and valuable opportunities that will help her reach her goals in her own way. Although some of the topics have felt challenging – including researching her target market, putting together a business plan, and learning more about how to finance a business – Eaton is enjoying the process.

Calling the program “a great learning experience overall,” Eaton has received answers to all of her questions, reassurance when she has needed it, and new perspectives and ways of thinking.

“The instructors Stacie and Franky are amazing and very knowledgeable,” she said. “I am benefiting from all parts of the program. Each class has taught me many things that I would have never thought of.”

For her dedication to her business and studies, Eaton was awarded a scholarship from the Cummings Foundation as part of a $100,000 grant the Foundation gave to Middlesex in Spring 2021. Through the scholarship, Eaton received funding to pay for the cost of her classes for the semester. She was then able to use the money she had set aside for tuition to go toward start-up costs and products she needs to prepare her business.

“I have been working hard and still continue to do so to make my dreams come true,” she said. “I am being recognized for my upcoming business and what I am doing.”

Eaton is looking forward to what the future holds as January will bring the launch of her business, Curvaceous, and the arrival of her first grandchild. Preparing to complete MCC’s LYBN certificate program in December 2021, she feels ready to jumpstart her small business and “provide high-quality fashion to curvy plus-size women.”

“I love what I do,” Eaton said. “I have a passion to create and design and I will keep working hard to make my dream come true.”

MCC’s Business program helps students go into – and succeed in – the workforce or transfer to four-year schools with its award-winning and affordable offerings, small class sizes and flexible schedules. Visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/discover/dyp_business.aspx for more information and to discover your path to a Business degree at Middlesex.

There is still time to register for MCC’s Fall 2021 Mini-mester II. For more information and to register for classes, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!

This press release was produced by the Middlesex Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.