Managing College + Building Sola Nalu

When people see a jewelry brand, they usually see the finished product—the photos, the website, the jewelry itself. What they don't see are the countless hours spent behind the scenes making it all happen.

Balancing School and Business

As well as being the founder of Sola Nalu, I'm also a college student. Balancing school and business has been exciting, challenging, and most of the time overwhelming, but it's also one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

I got the idea to start Sola Nalu last summer, which meant spending this past school year turning that idea into a reality. Between classes, time with friends, and fun sorority events, I dedicated nearly all of my free time to building the brand. From answering emails and updating the website to coordinating with manufacturers, creating social media content, and planning future collections, there was always something to work on.

The hardest part wasn't managing all of those responsibilities—it was learning to prioritize school so I could continue pursuing what I was most passionate about. As much as I wanted to spend every spare moment working on Sola Nalu, I knew my classes had to come first. Finding the motivation to sit down and complete statistics assignments, write English papers, and study for exams wasn't always easy when my mind was filled with ideas for the brand. But I quickly realized that success meant showing up for both my education and my business, even when one felt much more exciting than the other.

What I've Learned So Far 

One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that progress is more important than perfection. There have been plenty of moments when I've wanted everything to be flawless before launching. But entrepreneurship has taught me that waiting for perfection often means never starting at all. I've also learned the importance of consistency. Small actions every day add up over time. Whether it's sending one email, posting one piece of content, or checking off one task from my to-do list, those small steps continue moving Sola Nalu forward.

Looking Ahead

Launching Sola Nalu while in college hasn't always been easy, but it's shown me what's possible when you're willing to work toward something you truly care about.

I'm incredibly excited for what's ahead and grateful for everyone who is following along on this journey. Sola Nalu is just getting started, and I can't wait to share what's next.

Thank you for being part of the story.

With Love

Founder of Sola Nalu

Sophia Neely