Confectionery treats such as chocolate-dipped strawberries and pretzels are enjoyed by San José State students, and this third-year marketing student has found a passion in providing them.
Alaiyah Holland, a third-year SJSU marketing student, launched her treat-making business named Dip-A-Licious in May.
Dip-A-Licious specializes in decorated strawberries, Rice Krispies Treats, pretzels, Oreos and cake pops, according to the order form.
“I was very stressed out and honestly was kind of tired of school,” Holland said. “So I took on a new hobby of decorating these treats and baking, and it ended up becoming so therapeutic for me.”
One of her inspirations to start treat-decorating was the store Dipped in Emeryville, which focuses on chocolate-dipped treats, particularly strawberries, according to its website.
“I monetized my passion because I kind of saw a lot of people doing it, and this wasn’t my first business, so I have that entrepreneurial-like mindset,” Holland said.
Approximately 17% of college students run their own business, according to a Dec. 21 2022 report by Harvard Business Review.
She said the biggest learning curves of starting a business were the financial and legal aspects.
Multiple steps need to be taken before you can open a business, like getting business insurance and applying for licenses and permits, according to the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.
“It’s pretty expensive, like all the licenses I would say, like it hits a thousand (dollars) easily,” Holland said. “Right now, a lot of investments are coming out of my bank account or my boyfriend’s because he’s so supportive.”
Licenses and permits are estimated to cost around $150 and legal fees $300, alongside the other finances needed to start a small business, according to a Startups Cost Worksheet from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Dip-A-Licious recently started doing SJSU campus order pickups alongside their regular pickups in October, according to an Oct. 9 Instagram post.
Arella Eusebio, a fourth-year graphic design student, was chosen as one of two interns for Dip-A-Licious.
“I wanted to join (as an intern) since I don’t know anything about business, so I was like ok, this is a good thing, because I get to see what’s happening behind the scenes,” Eusebio said.
Eusebio’s position primarily consists of taking pictures of the products to be used in menu layouts and social media, and creating menu and advertisement designs.
Holland said she immediately started posting on TikTok to promote her business and get it out there by doing pop-ups and connecting with campus organizations.
Bella Cosio, a second-year advertising major and the marketing and PR director for Her Campus at SJSU, discovered Dip-A-Licious after being sent treats to review on TikTok.
“She brought Oreos, pretzels, and strawberries and they’re super good,” Cosio said. “They’re not overly sweet, sometimes I feel like they have a too-thick chocolate coating, but theirs was like the perfect amount.”
Her Campus at SJSU is an organization with a mission to be a supportive and empowering community for women in college, according to a Sept. 8 Instagram post.
Cosio said her role in the organization is to secure partnerships, and she decided to partner with Dip-A-Licious.
“For smaller ones (businesses), the partnerships are more about recognition because we have about 50 to 60 girls that come into the chapter meetings, so they’ll hear about it and sometimes the businesses come and speak about it,” Cosio said.
This partnership allows Dip-A-Licious products to be given out and promoted during Her Campus at SJSU events and chapter meetings.
Holland said it’s making these opportunities for yourself that can help a business succeed.
“Explain your business to everybody. And I know you’re gonna think you sound annoying, but people will remember you,” Holland said.
