After witnessing his mom fight breast cancer, Peyton Jackson worked with the Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology to start Indel, a company that treats breast cancer through gene therapy. For Jackson and other student entrepreneurs, their journey has required more than hard work and studying; they find support from Christlike predecessors and an entrepreneurial culture at the BYU Marriott School of Business.
As director of the Rollins Center, Mike Hendron says he invites alumni back “who reflect gospel principles, values, and follow Christ's approach to respecting and loving other people.” Their examples and mentorship, Hendron explains, create a positive culture for students to learn in.
“The success of previous entrepreneurs out of BYU has been a huge light to me because it shows that BYU really is a place that can take something from an idea and a concept and bring it to the market,” explains Jackson, a recent genetics, genomics, and biotechnology graduate.
Having also been mentored by alumni, Tyler Awerkamp, an entrepreneurial management student from Provo who cofounded JT SWPPP, says he was inspired by guidance he heard to give back now—no matter if young entrepreneurs feel they haven’t “made it” in the business world. “Even if our company isn’t big yet, I feel inspired to continue to show Christ’s love to others now,” he says.
“I’ve been inspired to be a more Christlike leader, says Hannah Cardon, “because the people at the Rollins Center work so tirelessly to help us.” Cardon, cofounder of DryRise and a recent graduate from entrepreneurial management, believes service-focused businesses are a reflection of Christ’s leadership. “Christ’s mission when he was here was constant servitude,” she says. “I think it's really important for businesses to not just make a profit but to also really make the world a better place for people's lives.”
Working in the Christ-centered environment within the Rollins Center encourages Jackson to rely on God for strength when navigating the unknowns with science and cancer. “I've really needed to seek out wisdom and guidance from the Lord as I've been working on such a hard project,” Jackson says. “I often find myself praying to figure out where to move next.”
Reflecting on the legacy of entrepreneurship and support within the Rollins Center, Jackson hopes to make an impact not only through his company but also by supporting future entrepreneurs. “I hope to add onto this legacy of BYU entrepreneurship by bringing something real that makes a difference to the world out of BYU and into the market to help patients and people,” Jackson says. “And one day, once I've done that, to do what my mentors have done for me—to come back and help people coming out of BYU do the same thing.”