Business Student Clara Stahl is Determined

CLARA STAHL

Business Administration, emphasis on Finance and Entrepreneurship with an Innovation track | Henry W. Bloch School of Management | 2016 | Committee member of TEDxUMKC 2015 Conference at 2 p.m. Dec. 5 at Liberty Memorial

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Where is UMKC taking you?

I see UMKC as showing me a staircase, on the way to starting a career. We have great career services that make me a better candidate when interviewing for jobs.

How has your college program inspired you?

My college program has inspired me to want to start my own business someday. Studying entrepreneurship has taught me how to think “outside the box” and has given me the skillset necessary to come up with new, creative and innovative solutions to pre-existing problems. Studying finance has taught me to be disciplined and to look at things analytically. The Bloch School is a great place to grow both academically and professionally. Along with classroom opportunities, I have also been able to make many connections to the local business community.

Why did you choose UMKC?

I’m from Westport in Kansas City, so I’m super close to home. I love the Kansas City area, everything is in such close vicinity and I’m fortunate enough to be able to ride my bike everywhere. I’m also able to live at home which saves me a ton of money.

What are your lifelong goals?

I want to own my own business. I’d like to own a bar. I’ve worked in hospitality since I was 14 so I feel I have the experience necessary to succeed. I have an idea that I’d like to open a bar that specializes in breakfast. I’d have a breakfast bar with specialty mimosas and themed drinks. I got the idea from asking customers at my current job about what their perfect idea of a bar would be. I’m able to gain free market segmentation ideas from the customers I engage with day to day. I also want to travel the world and bring a different eating/drink experience to Kansas City.

What excites you?

I love to dance. I do jazz, modern and ballet. I find having such a busy schedule allows me to focus and means I put 100 percent effort into things I do, the first time. Ballet dancing was very structured, and when I started modern, I had to learn to relax — this helped me within my work too. Most importantly, dance taught me to be creative, which is incredibly important within business, especially if you want to own one.

Why did you get involved with TEDxUMKC?

I went to my first TEDx event last year called “Ditching Dogma” and I thought the “ideas worth sharing” ethos was amazing and definitely something I wanted to be a part of. I interviewed for a PR position and got it, and have been very involved. We’re excited to have our very own UMKC TEDx on December 5 titled “Big Challenges Small Solutions.” It’s awesome to be part of something so huge.

Since entering college, what have you learned about yourself?

I have learned what I’m passionate about and what interests me. I am very willing to work hard to be the best that I can be and to accomplish the goals that I set out for myself. UMKC has helped me discover these traits about myself.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received from a professor?

The best piece of advice that I’ve received from a professor is: do the work, and the grades will come.

What do you admire most at UMKC?

I have a work-study job on campus in the Art & Art History Department that I have been at for almost three years. I really admire the people that I’ve worked with and gotten to know over the past couple of years. They are very dedicated to UMKC and what they do. One of the advisers/faculty I work with is Poppy Candeloro and she is very dedicated to the success of her students and makes sure everyone is well taken care of. I also admire my boss, Hannah Brockway. She has made the Art Department a great place to work and has really great new/creative ideas for engaging new and returning students. This is one of the best jobs that I’ve had and it is largely because of the people who work and go to UMKC. For that, I thank them.

What’s your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is failing. I try very hard to make sure that I am doing the very best that I can for myself and those around me. It can be hard for me to accept letting someone down or not fixing a problem that someone may have. I try to make sure that my work reflects that I care and that I am putting forth something that I can be proud of.

What is one word that best describes you?

Determined. I try to make sure that everything gets done on time and that I am able to do all the things that I want to do. To accomplish this, I wake up two hours early in the morning to complete assignments, work on Honors projects and things for TEDxUMKC. I will also stay up late an additional two hours if needed to finish the things that I’ve started that morning. If I need to do something extra at work, then I do it to make sure that everything runs smoothly. I try to help those that need it by tutoring and also make time to explain information to classmates that need the extra help for free. I care about other people and when everyone succeeds, I succeed, and that makes going the extra mile worth it.