Two student entrepreneurs from ACU showcased their small businesses at the annual Abilene Christmas Market, Nov. 9.
The Christmas Market was organized by People Party Craft and consisted of over 50 vendors in downtown Abilene. These vendors are local business owners of varying sizes, including two ACU students Adriana Colunga and Karson Tutt.
Adriana Colunga, a junior advertising and public relations major from Irving, attended the Christmas Market for the first time this year selling handmade scrunchies for her business, All Scrunched Up. Colunga started All Scrunched Up just over a year ago, as a sophomore.
Last year, Colunga worked as a volunteer for the Christmas Market and saw the potential opportunity for her new business at that vendors fair. After a year of creating, selling and hard work she was able to return to the Christmas Market as a vendor.
“Last year I was a volunteer and this year I’m actually selling.” Colunga said. “A year ago, I would have never imagined being able to sell at the Christmas Market.”
Karson Tutt, a junior management major from Tuscola, was also at this years Christmas Market with her business, Creations by Karson. For the past three years Tutt has been a vendor at the Christmas Market.
Her first year at the Christmas Market, Creations by Karson had one of the smallest vendor spaces. This year Tutt’s booth took up the most floor space in the entire Christmas Market.
Both Colunga and Tutt are kept busy as full-time students and entrepreneurs. Tutt said it is import for student entrepreneurs to have a strong support system of friends, to stay organized and to not be afraid to go after an idea.
“To anyone who wants to do something, do it,” Tutt said. “If you have an idea, go for it. And if you have a dream, chase it. At the end of the day no one knows what will happen, so you might as well try.”
For more information about products contact Karson Tutt at @creationsbykarson or @_allscrunchedup on Instagram. Students can also see both businesses at the Start Up Market during ACU Startup Week.
At 201 Mesquite, Abilene hosts a holiday market allowing students and others to advertise and sell their products.
