Student Success
Students Deliver Real-World Business Solutions
RALEIGH, N.C. (December 3, 2025) – Wake Tech Business Administration students gained real-world experience developing innovative business solutions thanks to an experiential learning project this semester.
Nearly 80 students spent the Fall semester collaborating in teams as student consultants helping local small-business owners create business strategies and plans. They unveiled their ideas Wednesday night at a capstone showcase at the Southern Wake Campus.
The 16 teams presented their recommendations in front of their peers, client partners and invited guests.
"Our goal is to give students real-world consulting experience and the opportunity to demonstrate practical business skills," said Dr. Lorraine Powers, associate professor of Business Administration. "This experience connects classroom learning to industry expectations while strengthening students' confidence, communication and professional networks."
Each of the consultant teams worked with a business client to evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to develop an action plan to overcome an identified challenge. The businesses spanned health care, nonprofit, local media and publishing, fitness and service-based industries, giving students diverse and meaningful client experiences.
Some of the projects included marketing, branding, business growth planning, website updates and community outreach. Students gained experience in various roles, such as project manager, researcher, data analyst, writer, graphic designer and client liaison.
"This adds value to their transcripts and resumes while they gain real-world experience and provide tangible benefits to their host employers," Powers said.
Edwin Cuevas' team helped raise awareness of Natural Math, a national nonprofit focused on engaging students in math, by developing an Instagram social media plan.
"This project gave us the freedom to work as a team," Cuevas said. "In the real world, you have to work with different people in an organized time frame, and it was up to us to work together and develop a plan. So, that was the coolest part for me."
Vanessia Johnson, founder of Church is My Club lifestyle brand company, praised the students who helped her with marketing and engagement strategies.
"This was an awesome experience to work with Wake Tech students who helped me keep the traction going for my brand," Johnson said. "They gave me great ideas for locations for pop-ups and developing social media influence that I will be putting in action in the upcoming year. I'm grateful for their hard work and dedication to helping me elevate my business."
Special thanks to all of the small businesses who served as clients for the project:
- BE! Social Solutions
A workplace wellness company using fun, science-based tools to reduce stress, prevent burnout and improve employee performance. Students assisted with marketing strategy and program visibility.
- Church Is My Club
A faith-based apparel and empowerment brand built around community, fellowship and expressive faith messaging. Students assisted with marketing, brand expansion and customer engagement strategies.
- Desired Reads Publishing Company
A writing-coaching and publishing company that empowers aspiring authors through workshops and support programs. Students advised on marketing, audience growth and service expansion.
- Fatherless Daughters
A startup focused on supporting women healing from fatherlessness through advocacy, programming and a best-selling book. Students provided branding, outreach and program-development recommendations.
- Foto Legacy
A certified photo-management company specializing in organizing, preserving and simplifying clients' printed and digital memories. Students supported branding, outreach and service-delivery improvements.
- Full Marks
A Raleigh-based company producing functional, design-forward teaching resources used in classrooms worldwide. Students assisted with branding, customer outreach and product visibility.
- The Herbology Fairy Apothecary
A handcrafted natural hair, skin and wellness brand rooted in clean ingredients and holistic care. Students supported product marketing, online visibility and business growth planning.
- Mommy and Mentor
A postpartum doula and home-management support service helping overwhelmed parents with organization, care and household systems. Students assisted with website updates, marketing and branding for a new sister company.
- Natural Math
A national nonprofit committed to making math accessible and joyful through community-based, exploratory learning. Students worked on marketing strategies and ecosystem engagement.
- Naturally Nectar
A business led by a speech language pathologist that provides naturally thickened hydration products for individuals with dysphagia. Students helped with branding, customer education and digital marketing strategy.
- N.C. Spotless Pros Powerwashing
An award-winning government contractor offering power washing, facility services and leadership training. Students assisted with strategic growth, marketing and scaling opportunities.
- Own Your Dream
A Raleigh nonprofit providing mental health services, enrichment programs and community resources built from the ground up by its founder. Students helped strengthen branding, outreach and program operations.
- Recreate Yourself LLC
A therapeutic recreation practice serving individuals with TBI, PTSD and neurological conditions through wellness, mindfulness and adaptive programs. Students supported growth, marketing and community engagement efforts.
- Rodgers Global Leadership
A leadership consulting firm offering DEI-focused, people-centered coaching and tech-forward solutions for workforce growth. Students supported marketing, client engagement and outreach strategies.
- Triangle Social Media LLC
A veteran-owned social media management agency helping businesses optimize content, strategy and online presence. Students contributed to content planning and platform optimization.
- Vegan Health & Wealth
A wellness and digital-marketing–driven program helping individuals transition to a whole-foods, plant-based lifestyle while creating income through shared health journeys. The founder sought support refining marketing strategy and expanding the program's reach.
