Entrepreneurship Student Uses Business to Support Autism Research
Posted: November 13, 2019 | Author: Lyndsey Nelson | Read Time: 2 minutes
Before coming to Southern Utah University, Kylee Wharton knew she wanted to go into business. However, it was the opportunities available at SUU that helped her to grow her ideas and eventually start a business while attending college.
Inspired by her autistic uncle, Wharton is currently starting an all natural candle business, Ignite Candles, which donates a portion of the profits from every sale to the Autism Research Institute.
“I wanted to create the perfect candle,” Wharton said. “It had to be good for the environment, good for people, and it had to support my cause of empowering people with disabilities. Along the way I learned that aromatherapy can actually be helpful for some people with disabilities, so I've also included some aromatherapy aspects in my candles.”
The resources available through SUU’s Entrepreneurship Center made it possible for Wharton to gain a better understanding of what it means to run a business as well as giving her opportunities to pursue her passion for furthering autism research.
“My family has always helped take care of my autistic uncle. As I started to get older I noticed some things were harder for him than they were for other people,” she said, “His light and fun personality have made me passionate about helping other sweet souls like him.”
Wharton grew up in Payson, Utah, and is currently pursuing a double major in interdisciplinary studies and communication, with an emphasis in marketing. She was drawn to SUU by the professors and their personal dedication to her and her goals.
“Within the first semester I was here, I met business school professors who have completely changed the course of my life and education for the better,” Wharton said. “I wouldn’t have made a fraction of the progress I’ve made without the help of SUU’s Entrepreneurship Center. SUU is truly the best school for bootstrap entrepreneurs.”
SUU’s Entrepreneurship program is designed to help students gain a better understanding of what it takes to run a business in the real world, as well as providing opportunities to discuss each student’s business with other students, professors, and the program’s Entrepreneur in Residence, Landon Smith.
The program also provides a speaker series, which grants students the opportunity to hear real-world advice from business owners from around the country. Highlights include Decorworx COO Tenia Wallace and Charles C.W. Cooke, author and editor of the National Review.
Learn more about SUU’s Entrepreneurship Center and the School of Business.
This article was published more than 3 years ago and might contain outdated information or broken links. As a result, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
Tags: Entrepreneurship School of Business
