Monthly Archives: February 2023

Annika Hesse arrived on the 40 Acres with a mission—to find a way to explore her dual interests in business and healthcare. As a high school senior, Annika decided to study in the Canfield Business Honors Program because of its flexible degree plan that would allow her to gain a comprehensive business education while also learning about other fields of interest. Now in her first year at Canfield BHP, Annika is taking a mix of business classes like MAN 101H: Leadership Challenges and Innovations and STEM classes like CH 301: Principles of Chemistry I.

As part of the Canfield BHP community, Annika receives personalized advising attention from the program’s academic advisors, who can help her map out her four-year degree plan. (Stop by the Canfield BHP office, and there is a good chance you will find Annika at the peer advisor desk or completing her homework!) At the same time, Annika has had the opportunity to join Alpha Epsilon Delta, a pre-health honor society where she has met other students passionate about healthcare. 

Outside of the classroom, Annika is exploring her dual passions by working with other Canfield BHP students to restart a student organization. “When I first got to UT, I began looking for an organization that combined my interests in both business and healthcare,”

Annika and her Canfield BHP peers decided to restart the Texas Business Healthcare Association (TXBHA), an organization “focused on filling in the gap between business and healthcare by exposing students to the financial, managerial, legal, and consulting aspects of the healthcare industry.”

TXBHA had become inactive during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Annika and her Canfield BHP peers were motivated to create a unique space where like-minded students could engage in career development: “We believe hearing about real-world experiences from industry professionals not only opens our members up to possible careers at the intersection of business and healthcare but also empowers them to pursue a relatively niche passion.”

Going forward, Annika has ambitious plans to incorporate community service opportunities and socials into TXBHA as well as develop a curriculum to teach members about the unique financial and managerial challenges within the healthcare industry.

As for Annika’s individual goals, she hopes to become a business-minded physician who can tackle broad issues within the healthcare industry. Additionally, she advises prospective Canfield BHP students with dual interests—whether in healthcare, computer science, or any other field—to get in touch with like-minded upperclassmen to learn more about the vast opportunities available on the 40 Acres.

While playing NBA 2K 18, 15-year-old Corey’L Sams was focused on more than the scoreboard—he also took an interest in the designer clothing of the players. 

“Although I am a business major and entrepreneur, I’ve always been creative at heart,” Corey’L explained. He, therefore, enjoyed NBA 2K 18’s feature that allowed him to customize the basketball players’ clothes, which inspired him to think beyond the video game: “One day, I was like, ‘why not design my own clothes?’”

Soon enough, Corey’L founded his very own apparel company, CAPEL Clothing Creations LLC. CAPEL stands for Creativity And Positivity Equal Life, and Corey’L describes his business as “a lifestyle clothing brand that advocates living life to the fullest.” Since its founding in 2020, CAPEL has launched an e-commerce website, gained support from local businesses, and released a popular line of products, including t-shirts, The CAP, “The Life” Crewneck, and the 3 C’s Crewneck.

But for Corey’L, his company is about much more than selling designer clothes: “The mission is to unite adventurous people who use the power of creativity and [a] growth perspective to elevate themselves, and the lives of others.” Specifically, Corey’L feels artists/creators need a signature brand to call their own. He believes, “Like athletes, artists have to overcome challenges of doubt through perseverance and a growth perspective to achieve greatness.” As a result, CAPEL has styled itself as the clothing brand of choice for people who embrace a creative and positive lifestyle.

Now, as a Canfield BHP freshman, Corey’L is gaining more insights into effective business leadership. For example, in BA 324H: Business Communication, he learned more about the power of teamwork and community through a case study on how to effectively operate in a team with diverse personality types. Additionally, the career atlas project in BA 101H: Professional Development and Career Planning helped Corey’L realize the impact that his values, strengths, and weaknesses have on his entrepreneurial endeavors.

Of course, running a business has not been without its challenges. Recently, Corey’L has had to balance his CAPEL responsibilities with his courses and extracurricular activities as a freshman at UT Austin. 

“When life transitions,” he explained, “business does too–and evolving is an exciting yet daunting necessity.”  Therefore, to help him stay focused on his goals, Corey’L reminds himself about why he is so passionate about CAPEL’s mission, which motivates him to continue growing his company and its positive impact.

When asked if he has any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, Corey’L emphasized the need for dedication and effort.  “The hardest part is consistency and having the discipline of focused vision and intentional action 6 months, 1 year, 2 years. . . 10 years after you start,” he advised. And failure should not be viewed as a setback but rather a growth opportunity. Through his work with CAPEL, Corey’L has learned that “success and positive impact are only possible for those who have the faith to try (no matter how big/small), fail, and grow from it–and try try again.”

As for his own company, Corey’L has big plans to expand CAPEL, such as introducing its own cut and sew pieces and finding a new warehouse space. On a larger scale, Corey’L envisions CAPEL as a brand that supports artists/creators and serves as “a symbol and story” that inspires people to live a creative and positive life. And Corey’L is proud to say, “the story is just getting started, right here on the 40 Acres.”

In celebration of Black History Month, the Canfield Business Honors Program will be showcasing some of our Black/African American students and alumni for the month of February.