Published on October 27, 2025 by Catherine Smith  

Samford Startup, the student-led business incubator housed in Samford University’s Brock School of Business, has announced its 2025-26 cohort. Through this experiential program, students explore what it takes to launch, grow and scale a business while building the confidence and creativity essential for entrepreneurial success.

Each participant operates their own business as part of Samford’s broader commitment to hands-on experiential learning. The program gives students the opportunity to refine ideas, strengthen problem-solving abilities and embrace the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.

Working alongside other student business founders creates a community of accountability, support and collaboration. In addition to peer learning, participants have access to valuable resources like networking events, one-on-one mentoring, opportunities to compete for additional funding and access to the state-of-the-art Titus/UFG Innovation Lab located in Cooney Hall.

This year’s cohort includes:

  • Brooks Paper Company
    • Business owner: Natalie Brooks, sophomore entrepreneurship and Spanish major
    • Brooks Paper Company creates mixed media picture books that inspire creativity and connection for readers of all ages.
  • DormVault
    • Business owner: Alex Dickey, senior accounting major
    • Dorm Vault assists college students in moving and storing their belongings throughout the academic year.
  • Cleanr Windows
    • Business owners: Luke Ferris and Grayson Birch, senior finance and sales majors
    • Cleanr Windows is a window-cleaning business that provides professional services while creating meaningful work opportunities for Samford students.
  • Stitched by Madison
    • Business owner: Madison Hamilton, junior marketing and entrepreneurship major
    • Stitched by Madison is a sorority apparel brand that celebrates creativity and community through custom embroidered designs for college women across the country.
  • Styled with Leah
    • Business owner: Leah Henderlong, junior marketing major
    • Styled with Leah is a jewelry brand that creates custom, tropical-inspired necklaces and accessories fueled by creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
  • Labeled by Love
    • Business owner: Shelby Law, sophomore entrepreneurship major
    • Labeled by Love is a clothing brand that combines fashion with a message of faith, encouraging others to embrace their God-given identity.
  • Light the Path Candle Co.
    • Business owner: Ty Nelson, junior finance and entrepreneurship major
    • Light the Path Candle Co. is a candle company that combines faith and creativity to share hope, encouragement and the message of God’s promises through Scripture-inspired scents.
  • Hydraglow Co.
    • Business owner: Ava O’Dowd, junior accounting major
    • Hydraglow Co. is a skincare business that creates high-quality tools and products while educating and empowering women to care for their skin with confidence and authenticity.
  • Braedy Sommerville Fitness Coaching
    • Business owner: Braedy Sommerville, sophomore management major
    • [Company Name Needed] is a faith-driven fitness platform that blends physical training with personal encouragement, helping individuals grow stronger both physically and spiritually.
  • The Etc. Shop
    • Business owner: Emma Claire Thompson, sophomore finance and marketing major
    • The Etc. Shop is a small business that creates personalized products using vinyl, embroidery and sublimation, combining creativity and craftsmanship to bring custom items to life.
  • Tanner Wages Photography
    • Business owner: Tanner Wages, junior journalism and mass communication major
    • Tanner Wages Photography is a photography business that captures personal and professional moments, specializing in senior portraits, family life, headshots and sorority or fraternity content while telling meaningful stories through each image.

“The Samford Startup program not only gives you opportunities but also a unique community,” said junior Madison Hamilton, owner of Stitched by Madison. “Dr. Mazzei has gone above and beyond to lead and support our businesses through this program. It’s not common to be a business owner in college, so it’s amazing to be surrounded by others who understand what it’s like and are supporting and rooting for you.”

Matt Mazzei, Samford Startup faculty coordinator and chair of the entrepreneurship, management and marketing department, is excited about this year’s Samford Startup student cohort, which includes nine new businesses and two that returned for their second year.

“There is as much enthusiasm for entrepreneurship as we’ve ever had,” Mazzei said. “The students have been encouraging with one another and proactive in taking next steps to grow and scale their businesses. Many have already done pop-up shops on Samford’s campus, held events back in their hometowns or traveled to new campuses to expand their reach, while still working to build their customer base online and around Birmingham.”

Residency in the Samford Startup space is open to all Samford University students—business and nonbusiness majors. The Samford Startup provides a unique experiential learning opportunity for students and is a testament to why The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranks Samford No. 3 in the nation for career preparation.
 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford is widely recognized as having one of the most beautiful campuses in America, featuring rolling hills, meticulously maintained grounds and Georgian-Colonial architecture. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second-highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.