For students dreaming of creating and starting their own business, there is a unique opportunity being offered right here on campus.

A scholarship program that started this year through the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship offers students the tools needed to get their very own business up and running.

The Coleman Entrepreneur Scholarship awards $5,000 to incoming freshmen and transfer students, along with their own office space in the Hatchery, a special area in the Lyles Center reserved for student office spaces.

The first recipients of this award were Stephanie Reilly, an incoming freshmen, and Kenneth J. Harms Jr., a student from Sacramento.

Genelle Taylor, associate director at the Lyles Center, said all students need to do is apply and show how determined they are to become the head of their own established businesses.

“We want students who already have all the framework for their business set, who know exactly what they want and are self-motivated to succeed,â€Â Taylor said. “Once they are here we will provide them with everything necessary to put their plan into action.â€Â

Along with submitting an application, students must also provide a business plan. Taylor said the business plan is where most of the decision about who gets the scholarship is made.

“A good business plan will show how determined the student is, and that is our basis for qualification for the program,â€Â Taylor said.

For those who win the scholarship, Taylor said that the money could be used towards school costs or toward something needed for that student̢۪s business. They are allowed to have their office space at the Hatchery for one year, and then they must re-apply or search for office space elsewhere.

She said that while working in the Lyles Center, students will be provided with coaches to help guide them through their first year of running a business, helping them make good entrepreneual decisions.

The two student recipients are operating very different businesses, but their entrepreneural spirit led them to apply for the scholarship, and to take advantage of the campus̢۪ business resources.

Harms came to Fresno State and started K&P Autoworks, a vehicle customization company.

Reilly used the award to start up POParazzi, a line of fashion jewelry made with vintage bottle caps.

Reilly said she used the money from the scholarship to get her new office set up and to begin working on her company̢۪s Web site.

“The office only comes with a desk and a chair; I used the money I got to buy my computer, printer and to get my Web site going,â€Â Reilly said, “and to pay my dad back for paying and helping on getting my product patented.â€Â

She said she learned about the program just out of curiosity.

“I always drive by Fresno State because I live here, and when they finished the Lyles Center, I was curious about it,â€Â Reilly said. “So I looked it up online and found out about the program and decided to try for it, since I was about to graduate from high school anyways.â€Â

She also said that she is so glad she made that decision, and is grateful for the opportunity the program gave her, and hopes others will take advantage of it.

“I owe a lot to the Lyles Center and this program,â€Â Reilly said. “With their help I am living my dream.â€Â

See a profile on Stephanie Reilly and her business.