Starting a Business in College: Harmony Media’s Story with Makenna Campbell [episode 88]

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In today’s episode, I’m joined by Makenna Campbell, founder of Harmony Media, as she shares her story of starting a business while still in college. Makenna takes us back to her roots in agribusiness, where she originally planned for a career in sales, until a pivotal internship at a small co-op opened the door to video content and storytelling in agriculture. With no prior experience, she leaned into curiosity, taught herself video production through online resources, and began creating meaningful content for local farmers and events.

We talk about the early fears that tend to show up, especially worrying about what others might think, and how moving through those moments allows us to share our gifts more freely. We also discuss the practical side of building a business in college, including the unexpected learning curve of managing taxes and the importance of preparing as success begins to grow.

From balancing social media work with financial planning to trusting her instincts, Makenna reminds us of the power of authenticity and the flexibility that entrepreneurship can bring.

About Harmony Media:

Harmony Media is an agricultural videography business started in 2023 during Makenna’s junior year of college. Makenna runs it full-time from her home in small-town Missouri, creating high-quality video content for nearby agribusinesses, farmers, and ranchers. It’s a young business with a big heart. Makenna is passionate about using storytelling to help people connect with their audiences in a meaningful way.

In this episode, Starting a Business in College: Harmony Media’s Story with Makenna Campbell, we cover:

  • How a college internship led to Makenna starting a business in college
  • The unexpected challenges that come with entrepreneurship, such as initial fears about what others will think, and the reality of managing taxes for a business
  • Why authenticity is critical to sustainable business growth
  • The freedom and flexibility that come with owning a business, particularly the ability to adapt operations to life’s changing seasons

Resources & Links:

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More about the Profitable Women podcast:

If you find yourself avoiding conversations about money, are burnt out from working all the time and wondering where your cash goes, and are tired of not paying yourself consistently, you are in the right place. 

Profitable Women is for those who don’t want to choose between their career and motherhood. It is to educate you on the financial side of running a profitable and sustainable business. It is a safe place where you are seen and heard in your fears as a business owner. It is where we talk about the money stories that are showing up in your everyday business decisions. It is where we allow ourselves to get curious about the numbers and welcome financial abundance in our lives.  We will talk mindset, financial strategy, and numbers, all with the goal of aligning our business to our life. If you believe in what you do and want to make it sustainable while building wealth, Profitable Women is the podcast for you! 

Your host, Sheila Hansen, is a CPA, coach, and business mentor who supports female business owners to make confident financial decisions. In addition to solo episodes, we will hear from other expert female guests who are out there supporting women with the work they do.

As profitable women, we are in this together!

Find more resources at hansenllc.net, and be sure to follow Sheila on IG @Sheila.Hansen.CPA

[Disclaimer: Any opinions, recommendations, and tips offered on this podcast or other social media forms do not constitute individual tax or accounting advice. This content is designed to provide education and awareness of financial topics and responsibility for the benefit of the general public. Please consult a professional before implementing any of the suggestions made by Sheila or Sheila Hansen, LLC]

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