Celebrating the Winners of Side Hustle Expo 4.0: Creativity, Passion, and Innovation in Action
From reptiles to magazines to nail art, this year’s winners impressed the Wolf Pack community with their talent, dedication, and innovative businesses. Meet our winners and learn about their side hustles:
On Tuesday, November 12, students from across campus and a wide range of disciplines gathered in the College of Business to show off their entrepreneurial spirit at the Side Hustle Expo 4.0!
Now in its fourth year, the Side Hustle Expo has become one of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development's signature events, sparking innovation and creativity across the Loyola University New Orleans community. Designed to meet students where they are, the event is where a pop-up shop meets a science fair, giving students the opportunity to showcase their side hustles, hobbies, and startups. This year, the stakes were higher than ever, with $2,500 in scholarships up for grabs, and the event delivered a fantastic lineup of inspiring student entrepreneurs. Here are the winners of this year's exposition:
First Place: Kat Lee, Katamaran Reptile Ranch
Graduation Year: 2027
Kat Lee started Katamaran Reptile Ranch after falling in love with her first pet crested gecko. Learning about the species' endangered status inspired her to create a ranch focused on captive breeding and public education. Her mission is to reduce the demand for wild-caught reptiles through awareness and sustainable practices.
When asked about the most rewarding part of her business, Kat said, “Seeing the love for reptiles spark in someone for the first time will always be one of the driving factors for me.” This year’s expo allowed her to share her passion with many attendees who touched or held a reptile for the first time.
With her prize money, Kat plans to expand her ranch by acquiring new species, upgrading enclosures, and feeding her nearly 200 reptiles.
Runner-Up: Sophia Firdausi, Riot Productions
Graduation Year: 2027
Sophia Firdausi started Riot Productions in high school to create a space for free expression and to promote environmental and social justice through youth culture. What began as a magazine has evolved into a community-based media company producing magazines, sustainable fashion, mixtapes, films, and events.
Sophia plans to use her prize money to publish an upcoming mixtape featuring New Orleans youth musicians, upgrade her website to be more interactive, and purchase materials for upcycled clothing.
Reflecting on the expo, Sophia shared that the most rewarding part was “getting the opportunity to speak with experienced entrepreneurs and receiving advice on how to expand and seek sponsors and investors.”
Runner-Up: Leila Santana, Glam By Leila
Graduation Year: 2028
Leila Santana started Glam By Leila to help pay for college while providing affordable and convenient nail services to fellow students on campus. Her passion for nail art has built her a loyal client base, and sharing her work on Instagram has expanded her reach.
Leila plans to use her prize money to invest in high-quality nail supplies, enhance her services, and save for her Louisiana real estate license. Presenting at the expo validated her business’s potential and gave her new ideas, like offering group appointments and professional photos of her work.
A Huge Thank You to Our Hustlers and Community
We’re incredibly proud of all the students who participated in this year’s Side Hustle Expo. Stay tuned for more exciting events and updates as we continue to celebrate and support student entrepreneurs, including at our upcoming New Orleans Entrepreneurship Week events on campus in March 2025!