Entrepreneurship Student Starts Charitable Company in Africa
Published: April 15, 2021 | Author: Lyndsey Nelson | Read Time: 2 minutes
Originally from Parowan, Utah, Braden Mineer has always had an interest in following his father’s footsteps and beginning his own business. Now, Mineer is the head of Africa Helping Hands, a business he started in 2018.
Mineer is a business administration major currently in his third year at Southern Utah University. He came to SUU to join his father’s business and begin establishing his own company and pursuing his entrepreneurial goals.
“I want to be able to make a lot of money, provide for my family, live a comfortable life, and help others. Business is the way I saw to best be able to do that,” said Mineer. “We have been able to provide good paying jobs and comfortable working conditions, which is a great way to help people learn valuable skills and live a better life. There is a lot of potential and I can't wait to see how it continues to grow.”
Africa Helping Hands was inspired by Mineer’s time in Liberia. During his visit to Liberia, he noticed how difficult it was for the people to get money and support themselves, and Mineer wanted to provide a way for Africans to find good-paying jobs. He established Africa Helping Hands to link people in need of work to companies in need of helping hands.
During his time at SUU, Mineer has taken advantage of the plentiful resources available at SUU, including having won $200 at the Opportunity Quest Competition in October of this year.
“Braden took a marketing class from me, and it was apparent that he was smart, creative, and motivated,” said Entrepreneurship Center Director Dr. Tyler Stillman. “As I learned about his business, I learned that his heart is in the right place as well. He really wants to leave a lasting, positive impact on the world, and he's doing just that with Africa Helping Hands.”
Africa Helping Hands has found great success in the year and a half since its conception, providing jobs to many individuals and even successfully moving to remote work at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Going forward, Mineer plans to expand his company and eventually begin a charitable foundation in Ghana.
Mineer encourages his fellow entrepreneur students to approach starting a business without fear.
“I think the hardest part is actually starting the business,” said Mineer. “It can be risky and scary, but it's worth it and only good will come out of it, whether that is money, experience, or something else. Instead of thinking and hoping to one day do it, just do it now.”
The Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business at Southern Utah University works to help educate and elevate students of all backgrounds and majors. For more information about the School of Business and the Entrepreneurship Center, visit their websites.
Tags: Entrepreneurship School of Business Business Administration