Turning a Campus Idea Into a Mission : A UTK Student Entrepreneur
As a UTK student entrepreneur, I aimed to address a daily campus challenge — finding an affordable, customizable drink option that suits a busy student lifestyle. That idea became Study Buzz, a 24/7 self-service beverage bar for University of Tennessee students to mix coffee, tea, and energy drinks exactly how they like.
Learning to Lead as a UTK Student Entrepreneur
Launching a startup while studying business at UTK taught me that entrepreneurship is about persistence, creativity, and community. Through the UTK Haslam College of Business, I connected with mentors and the Volpreneurs program, learning how to turn ideas into business plans and measure growth through market analysis.
I realized that every successful venture starts with understanding your audience — and as a student myself, I am that audience. Study Buzz became more than a brand; it’s a reflection of student innovation at UTK.
Building the Study Buzz Experience
Every detail of Study Buzz — from its pastel UT-orange branding to self-checkout kiosks — was designed for students. The concept supports collaboration and focus, giving Vols a place to study, socialize, or simply recharge.
To learn more about the brand’s story, visit our About Study Buzz page.
Empowering the UTK Community Through Innovation
Beyond the drinks themselves, Study Buzz represents a new wave of student-led entrepreneurship at the University of Tennessee. It shows that innovation can start anywhere — even from a late-night study session idea.
Study Buzz plans to collaborate with other UTK entrepreneurs and local Knoxville small businesses. Study Buzz hopes to promote sustainability, creativity, and inclusion. The company has hopes of sourcing ingredients locally and offering seasonal student-designed drink specials. The business has a mission to inspire others to turn their passions into projects that give back to the campus community.
What’s Next for Study Buzz
As I graduate from UTK, I plan to open the first Study Buzz location in Knoxville and expand to other campuses nationwide.
Being a UTK student entrepreneur has taught me that even small ideas can create big change when paired with persistence and passion. This is why, Study Buzz is more than a business — it’s a movement for students to fuel their own success.