Class of 2025 Student Spotlight: Jaydon Early

Class of 2025

Degree:

Hometown:

Stanardsville, Va.

Why did you choose to attend Marymount?

I am originally from Stanardsville, Va., so I grew up in a more rural area. I decided on Marymount because I liked the small campus size, which means small class sizes and many more opportunities to connect with peers and instructors. And being so close to D.C., I knew the connections I made here would turn into great opportunities in the future.

How has your Marymount experience been?

I’ve met a lot of great people who have changed my perspectives in ways I wasn’t expecting. I’ve gotten involved in lots of campus activities—I am an RA in Rowley Hall, I’m on the executive board of the Association of Campus Events and I run my own coffee shop on the side. All of these experiences have made me a more well-rounded person, and I feel Marymount has prepared me to take on the real world.

You run your own business called The Underground Coffee Shop. How did that start?

The Underground Coffee Shop is a concept that grew from my desire to apply what I’m learning in my business administration classes to a real-world business. When I first arrived on campus, Lola’s wasn’t open all the time and I thought, “how can I bring good-tasting coffee to students on campus and how can I do it in a cost-effective way?” It was just a way for me to merge my two passions, business and making food.

What has it been like to watch your business grow?

It’s been amazing. It started so small, just me making drinks for my friends. In the beginning, we only had four drinks on the menu, but by the time we hit our peak, we had almost 300 to choose from! We went from word of mouth to an online menu, ordering platform and on-campus delivery system. Now I fulfill anywhere from 25 to 50 orders a day, which is pretty crazy. It takes up quite a bit of time but I enjoy it, so it doesn’t feel like work. The coolest thing is turning something from an idea into a tangible product, learning how to navigate the intricate details of running a business and picking myself up when I fall.

What is your favorite part about running The Underground Coffee Shop?

At the end of the day, it’s all about serving other people and making them smile. Any time the business starts making money, I give it away. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but for me, the point isn’t to make a ton of money. It’s about supporting others and giving back to the community. Any profit I make goes into hosting free pop-ups or giving out gift cards to staff members to thank them for all their hard work.

What are your plans after graduation?

I want to go into business consulting but am open to going wherever the wind takes me. I’d love to keep The Underground Coffee Shop going in some capacity. One idea is to find old buildings important to communities, renovate them while preserving their original form and transform them into cafés where people can gather. Or maybe I’ll franchise the model and partner with existing businesses to improve their menus and build a stronger customer base. There are a lot of possibilities and I’m looking forward to exploring them!

What is your advice to first-year students just beginning their college journey?

Make friends, join clubs and get involved on campus. If there’s something you are passionate about, do it. Be the change you want to see in your community and keep striving for bigger and better things.