Day in the Life of a Student Founder
Summer fellowship participant MiChaela Barker (‘24 MBA, ‘24 MPH), the brains behind Matcha Scrubs, a brand of satin-lined scrub caps for healthcare providers, takes us on a journey through her day as a student founder. She worked out, chatted with mentors, and hustled on her startup. Her day was a mix of productivity and self-care.
5:30 am
I start my day at 5:30 am with 30 minutes of journaling and reading my bible. Then, I work out at 6:00 am, which energizes me for the day. After my workout, I get dressed, make tea (most people are surprised that I’m not a coffee drinker), and write my to-do list–there’s something really therapeutic about writing down and crossing things off of a to-do list–including emails, meetings, and social events. Then, I head over to Tsai CITY for our Summer Fellowship programming.
I like to arrive early at Tsai CITY to sign up for office hours with speakers and mentors. Once settled, I start the first workshop of the day.
10:00 am
Our daily workshops dive into all sorts of topics like fundraising, prototyping, SEO discovery, and more. Before the workshop kicks off, I usually jot down a few questions or things I want to learn for Matcha Scrubs. During the workshop, I take a bunch of notes and scribble down any questions that come to mind so I can ask them during office hours. As a founder, there's always so much going on and tons of things demanding your attention, so I really try to capture my thoughts and takeaways on the spot. This way, I won't forget anything, and I will have detailed notes to look back on when I need them.
11:30 am
Once the workshop wraps up, I hang out during lunch, chatting with other Summer Fellowship founders and tossing around ideas from the day's workshop. It's the perfect chance to chill out and see what we can learn from each other, plus catch any takeaways we might've missed.
1:00 pm
After lunch, it's time for office hours. I come prepared with questions and notes to make the 20-30 minute slots efficient. After getting feedback, I ask to connect on LinkedIn for future follow-ups. Building relationships with knowledgeable people is a key asset of the summer fellowship.
My sessions usually wrap up by 3:00 pm. I then update my mentors and Venture Associates on my progress and seek help with tasks. They assist with projects like creating a content calendar and drafting financial projections for Matcha Scrubs. It's also a good time to check in with the Tsai CITY staff to thank them for their support.
4:30 pm
By 4:30 pm, I review my to-do list and emails for any outstanding tasks before leaving Tsai CITY. I prefer working outside the home to maintain a balance between work and home life. This separation helps me relax and feel productive.
Not everyone needs this balance, but as a founder, setting boundaries is super important. Without them, you might end up feeling like you're working around the clock and totally burned out.
5:30 pm
As someone who loves being around people and staying busy, I dive headfirst into a lively social life after a jam-packed day at Tsai CITY. My evenings are usually spent having dinner with friends at a local spot (Mecha Noodle Bar and Olea are some of my faves!) and getting into some fun activities. I love staying active and doing hands-on stuff, so you might catch me at an escape room, a painting class, a concert, or just taking a stroll around campus.
8:00 pm
After hanging out with friends, I return home for my favorite time of day: self-care. For me, this includes music, skincare, and books.
Music helps me wind down. As a singer, songwriter, and producer under the stage name Bella Reign, I end my day by writing and recording new music. It's a fun way to channel my experiences and a great conversation starter. After about two hours, I usually have to force myself to sleep since I'm an early riser.
Next, I enjoy skincare. I'm always testing new products. A hot shower, face mask, and heated towel help cleanse the day away. I follow this with a 10-step skincare routine, brush my teeth, and crawl into bed.
Finally, I read a book. To rest my eyes from screens, I switch to reading. I alternate between fiction and nonfiction, enjoying business, psychology, mysteries, and detective stories. I read for an hour before sleeping. My days are hectic, but I love them.
The summer fellowship has been crucial for Matcha Scrubs' growth. Beyond financial support, it provided time to focus and granted me access to manufacturing, consumer goods, and healthcare experts. The thematic mentoring sessions were invaluable, offering insights into marketing, fundraising, operations, and legal aspects. Without the Tsai CITY Summer Fellowship, I wouldn't have progressed in working with manufacturers or filing for a patent. Tsai CITY also connected me with founders in similar fields, helping me learn from their experiences in the niche market of scrubs and scrub caps.
Balancing life, Matcha Scrubs, and fellowship commitments can be tough, but the supportive cohort makes it easier. I receive advice on social media, manufacturing relationships, and healthcare updates from fellow cohort members like Sisi, Constantine, and Chandra.
The greatest resource at Tsai CITY is the people. The founders, mentors, staff, and resident entrepreneurs inspire, educate, and support us, creating true value.
For anyone who is interested in entrepreneurship and the Summer Fellowship, I have a few pieces of advice to offer:
- Never lose your love for your idea, passion, or creating change.
- Anyone can be a mentor. The best ones might not look like you, do what you do, or even have the same goals. Anyone can offer great insights, so don’t hesitate to reach out and chat. Even if they can't answer every question, you might be surprised by the valuable nuggets they share.
- Stick to a schedule. Jot down your goals and to-dos to stay on track and keep the momentum going. Plan everything, from sending emails to meeting with your team and running errands. A schedule makes your priorities real and doable.
- Be honorable and humble. Follow through on commitments and give back to the community.
