2025 Future Alumni Contest Winner: Samantha Mallard
Samantha Mallard
Small Business / Entrepreneurship
2025 Future Alumni Essay Contest Winner
Transforming Ambition Into Action and a Dream Into Reality
When I first enrolled at Trident Technical College to pursue studies in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, I carried with me an unshaped but determined sense of potential. I believed that with the right guidance, I could transform ambition into action and a dream into reality. At that point, my aspirations were broad—I knew I wanted to create something meaningful, to build not only a career but also an impact. What I did not yet know was how my journey at Trident Tech would equip me with the knowledge, confidence, and community support necessary to transform my goals into reality. Today, as the proud owner of a childcare center that opened on September 1, 2025, I can clearly see how my education and experiences at Trident Tech nurtured my growth and helped me uncover a lasting sense of purpose.
Discovering My Potential
From the beginning, I recognized within myself the seed of leadership. I wanted to
prove that I was
capable of creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. Yet my vision of success
was still
abstract. I understood that I needed practical skills, discipline, and mentorship
to develop that seed into
something substantial.
At Trident Tech, my coursework provided a strong foundation. Management classes taught
me the
principles of leadership and teamwork, while entrepreneurship courses challenged me
to analyze
markets, develop financial strategies, and balance risk with innovation. I discovered
that what once felt
like vague ambition could be broken down into achievable goals.
The academic environment encouraged me to share ideas openly, to listen carefully
to others, and to
approach problems with creativity. Gradually, I began to view myself not just as a
student, but as a
future leader capable of turning ideas into action.
A Story of Support
While coursework strengthened my technical knowledge, the guidance of faculty and
peers played an
equally critical role in helping me uncover my true direction. One particular experience
stands out as
pivotal.
In an entrepreneurship class, I was tasked with developing a business plan. At first,
I chose a generic
idea, assuming it would be the safest path. During office hours, however, my professor
asked me a
question that changed everything: “What business would you pursue if you weren’t afraid
of failing?”
That question forced me to confront the difference between playing it safe and following
my true
passions.
I admitted that I had long envisioned opening a childcare center. I had always been
drawn to working
with children, and I wanted to create a safe, nurturing space for them to learn and
grow. Yet I had
dismissed the idea as too ambitious for my stage in life. Rather than discouraging
me, my professor
encouraged me to embrace it as the foundation of my project.
With that encouragement, I shifted my focus. I began researching licensing requirements,
exploring
child development trends, and studying financial models for childcare centers. My
classmates rallied
around the project, offering feedback, challenging me with tough questions, and even
role-playing as
parents to test the practicality of my ideas. What started as a class assignment soon
became a
blueprint for my future.
This experience was transformative. It not only provided me with a clear direction
but also showed me
that fear should never dictate the boundaries of my goals. Without the encouragement
of faculty and
the support of peers, I might never have had the courage to take that step.
Growing Into My Purpose
Through these experiences, I began to grow into the potential I carried when I first
enrolled. I learned
that success required more than vision; it demanded resilience, preparation, and the
ability to
collaborate.
These lessons became invaluable when I began the process of opening my childcare center.
Securing
funding, navigating regulations, and establishing operations all presented challenges
that at times
seemed overwhelming. Yet I consistently drew strength from the mindset I had developed
at Trident
Tech. I remembered the importance of thorough planning, the value of community support,
and the
need to keep my purpose at the forefront.
Every obstacle became an opportunity to apply what I had learned in the classroom
and beyond. Each
decision—whether related to staffing, budgeting, or program development—reflected
not only my
academic training but also the confidence I had gained from the encouragement of faculty
and peers.
Carrying Purpose Forward
The childcare center I established is far more than a business; it represents the
purpose I discovered at
Trident Tech. It is a space designed to nurture children, to support families, and
to contribute positively
to the community. My role as its founder and leader is both a responsibility and a
privilege, and I
approach it with the knowledge that my education gave me the tools to succeed.
Looking ahead, I intend to carry forward this sense of purpose in several ways. Professionally,
I plan to
expand my childcare services, ensuring that more families have access to quality,
affordable care. I
also hope to serve as a mentor for other aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly students
at Trident Tech,
so that they too may see that their ideas are not only valid but achievable.
Within my family, I aim to demonstrate the value of perseverance, discipline, and
courage. I want my
children and loved ones to see that challenges are not barriers but opportunities
to grow stronger. By
modeling this mindset, I hope to inspire them to pursue their own goals with determination.
In my community, I will continue to invest in people. Whether through offering employment
opportunities, providing childcare scholarships, or partnering with local organizations,
I want to extend
the spirit of support I experienced at Trident Tech. Just as faculty and peers believed
in me, I want to
believe in others and help them achieve their potential.
Conclusion
When I began my journey at Trident Technical College, I brought with me a belief in
my potential,
though it was undefined and uncertain. Through rigorous coursework, the encouragement
of faculty,
and the support of peers, I discovered not only the skills necessary to succeed but
also the courage to
pursue my true passion.
Opening my childcare center has been the realization of that journey—a transformation
of potential into
purpose. More importantly, it has given me a vision for how I will continue to use
my education and
experiences to serve others.
Trident Tech did not simply prepare me for a career; it shaped me into someone committed
to building,
nurturing, and giving back. That transformation will guide me in my work, my family,
and my community
for years to come. My time at Trident began with potential, but it concludes with
purpose—and that,
above all, is the legacy I will carry forward.