Christendom students do not need a business degree to start successful ventures — a lesson highlighted during an “Outside the Box” event this past month featuring entrepreneurs Andy Gyurisin, Mario Wisdom, and alumnus Joe Peters ’19. Hosted by the Office of Career and Professional Development and moderated by Director Kristin Stephens, the event offered students practical advice on starting and running their own successful businesses post-graduation.
Joe Peters ‘19 studied English at Christendom before earning a master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, where he focused on company culture, specifically in small businesses. He founded Buzzy Work Pro to help small business owners complete their high-level tasks at a rate they can afford, and he now lives in Front Royal with his wife and three children.
Andy Gyurisin is the Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Laurel Ridge Community College. From leading the Car Sales division at Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Illinois to co-owning the beloved Winchester Book Gallery, Andy has built a career around supporting businesses and creating meaningful connections.
Mario Wisdom is a dedicated business coach committed to helping small businesses thrive, working closely with entrepreneurs to build long-term success. He is now the President of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Rotary Club and serves on two community boards.
The speakers started off the event by sharing how they got involved in the small business world and what their day-to-day work looked like. Next, they discussed foundational principles of starting a business, including various funding options, succession planning, and growing and scaling the business.
Peters, who started his own remote business, shared that he focused on investing prior to starting the business, in preparation for the financial shift of being self-employed.
Gyurisin, meanwhile, highlighted two critical factors needed for a successful business.
“One is a business plan. It seems like the oldest thing in the entire world, but you need one. You need one for funding first and foremost,” he said. “And then number two: cash flow. Cash flow is the king of all things.”
The three business professionals went on to discuss awareness of business growth and development, especially regarding constantly evolving expenses.
When asked by Stephens about what mistakes to avoid as first-time business owners, all three recommended being patient with slow growth and careful in maintaining a business plan.
“I think one of the biggest mistakes that business owners make is not knowing that it’s going to take longer than they think for the business to actually start ramping up,” Wisdom said.
The speakers also talked about balancing profits, limited liability corporations, and taxes, explaining the importance of financial awareness while self-employed.
Wisdom told students to focus on expanding their network as well as producing good work.
“You have to go out and start networking and introduce yourself to people. Make sure that people know about you,” he said. “And the more people that know about you and the quality of work that you do, the more people will refer your business out and then you’re going to start making more money after that.”
Gyurisin reminded students that understanding one’s customer base and service was critical in running a business.
“That’s really the key that you all have to think about is: who is your customer?” he said. “The other thing to think about as well is: what problem are you trying to solve? That is a really key element for any business owner right there.”
In their final words of advice to the students, Peters and Gyurisin highlighted the importance of networking and getting outside of one’s normal circles to expand business opportunities, while Wisdom emphasized trusting in God.
“Just know that everything will work out as long as you keep on going, and you believe in the Lord,” he said.
The evening concluded with a Q&A session where students asked the panelists questions related to starting an online business, staying relevant while competing with AI content, balancing career and family life, and more.
Christendom’s Career and Professional Development Office offers students regular opportunities to hear from alumni and other professionals at Life on Tap and Outside the Box, in addition to attending relevant career workshops, meeting with future employers, securing summer internships, and exploring a plethora of career paths before they’ve even declared a major. With the support of the Career and Professional Development Office and an excellent liberal arts education, there is no career path rendered impossible with a degree from Christendom.
For further information, visit here.
To watch the full discussion, view the video below:
Contributed by Bridget Palm ’28.