What I Learned Starting a Business at Uni (and Why You Can Too)

Starting a business during university sounds chaotic — and honestly, it was. But it was also one of the most empowering, character-building, and exciting decisions I’ve ever made.

I’m a University of Bristol graduate in Business Management, now diving deeper into my Master’s in Management (Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility). While most students were focused on dissertations, group projects, and job applications (me too, don’t worry!), I also co-founded a startup: Freshcia, a playful, sustainability-driven personal care brand with refillable foaming hand soap tablets at its heart. 💚

Here’s what I learned — and why starting your own uni side hustle isn’t as far-fetched as it seems.

🎓 University Life at Bristol: A Startup Playground in Disguise

Bristol wasn’t just my academic home — it became our unofficial incubator. What most people don’t realise is just how many resources, networks, and support systems universities offer budding entrepreneurs. I was honestly shocked by how willing people were to help when we just asked.

• We worked with the university’s marketing team to create a professional promotional video — for free.

• I spoke at a public event hosted by the BAME network (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) — which not only built my confidence in public speaking, but helped spread the word about Freshcia to new audiences.

• We received startup support from university-led initiatives, including mentorship and pitch feedback.

• I constantly tapped into our lecturers for advice. You’d be surprised how many are willing to share insights, especially when you show initiative.

Learn from my experience: Never underestimate the power of a simple, polite email. The worst anyone can say is “no.” The best? They might connect you with someone who changes your business trajectory.

💸 Starting with £0 (and Why That’s Okay)

One of our biggest challenges? Zero budget. Like many student entrepreneurs in the UK, we didn’t have deep pockets or flashy investors — and honestly, we didn’t know where to begin.

But that didn’t stop us. Instead, we leaned on our environment:

• Free university start-up guidance

• Support from societies and student groups to help promote our product

• Organic word-of-mouth marketing through campus networks and events

In fact, the majority of our initial marketing was free. The university's existing reach, credibility, and community gave us a platform far bigger than our personal Instagram pages ever could.

It taught me that you don’t need a massive ad budget to create impact — just creativity, courage, and community.

🧠 Key Lessons from My Uni Startup Journey

Here are a few unfiltered truths from someone who’s been through it:

1. Utilise your university's ecosystem fully

Student entrepreneur? UK universities are packed with hidden resources — think workshops, incubators, grant opportunities, and internal media platforms. Take advantage of everything you can. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

2. Say yes before you’re ready

Did I feel qualified to speak at a university event? No. Did I do it anyway? Absolutely. Stepping out of your comfort zone opens doors — and builds confidence fast.

3. Ask for help — a lot

From branding to budgeting, don’t be afraid to ask questions. University is one of the few places where people expect you not to know everything.

4. Start with what you have

We started with a shared Google Drive and a dream. No fancy tools, no studio — just a lot of passion. You don’t need it all figured out to start.

5. Focus on your “why”

For us, it was about redefining hygiene as fun, sustainable, and guilt-free. Having a clear purpose kept us grounded when things got overwhelming.

🫧 And a Quick Note on the Power of Foam...

Yes — we launched a brand that’s all about foaming hand soap tablets. Why? Because even a small routine like handwashing should feel refreshing, fun, and joyful. And trust me, testing bubbly prototypes between coursework and pub crawls was super fun.

✨ You Can Start Too

If you’re a student, especially in the UK, and have an idea — start. The campus is your testing ground, your network, and your launchpad. And if you're thinking, "But I don’t have experience", just remember: neither did we.

The best time to start something is when no one expects you to. So make noise. Be scrappy. Send that email. Pitch that pitch. And trust that small beginnings can grow into something beautiful — just like foam.