Entrepreneurial Education: Trio of KSU sisters to speak at U.N. youth leadership forum

KENNESAW, Ga. (Oct 4, 2017) — Sisters Karen, Daniela and Stephanie Carvajalino have been entrepreneurs ever since they started their first business as elementary schoolchildren. Among all their business ventures, the one they consider most important is teaching others how to succeed.

The Carvajalino sisters – one current Kennesaw State student and two KSU alums – will share their passion for social entrepreneurship this week when they speak in Bogota, Colombia at One Young World, a global conference sponsored by the United Nations to encourage young leaders to create positive change. Speaking to an audience of 18- to 30-year-olds, the Carvajalinos will outline their vision for economic and social development through education based on practical skills, entrepreneurship and technology.

“This opportunity is a dream come true. It’s amazing,” said Stephanie, a Kennesaw State junior majoring in professional sales. “We saw all the huge personalities who have spoken there before, and I thought, ‘I’m going to be there.’ I can’t believe it.”

The eldest sister, Karen, earned a scholarship to Kennesaw State and graduated in 2014 with a degree in psychology and statistics. Her two sisters followed her to KSU and became Coles Scholars – the top students in the Michael J. Coles College of Business – and Daniela received a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance last year.

“The Carvajalino sisters epitomize the entrepreneurial spirit and mindset that is a strength of Kennesaw State,” said Stacy Campbell, a management professor and executive director of the Coles Scholars Program. “I can't wait to see where their paths take them next.”

The Carvajalinos’ latest endeavor is Biz Nation, an online learning platform that teaches marketable skills, entrepreneurship and financial education. The key to Biz Nation, according to Stephanie, is its methodology to help people identify traits such as their learning styles, their strengths and the best types of business for them to establish.

“We believe that if we provide people a productive education and transform their mindsets, they will be able to add an economic and social impact in their communities,” Stephanie said. “For that reason, we use 15 percent of our revenue to fund Biz Nation programs in low-income communities in Latin America.”

In their typical entrepreneurial style, the Carvajalino sisters each secured a sponsorship to attend the One Young World forum: from the Coles College of Business for Stephanie, from Kennesaw State’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences for Karen, and from the Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce for Daniela.

Please click here to read the whole story at KSU News.