Danielle McManus ’24 represents Rowan University at ICSB Academy
This July, entrepreneurship senior Danielle McManus took home second place and “Youth Choice Award” at the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) Academy for her team’s sustainable clothing idea– CycloClothCo.
The ICSB Academy brings together students from around the world to develop solutions to global problems while fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. After receiving an email from the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship about the opportunity, McManus knew she needed to apply.
The program featured a series of brainstorming sessions where students put their entrepreneurial skills into action. These sessions began with creative exercises, such as pitching the best paper airplane design, and evolved into workshops focused on building viable business or non-profit ideas. McManus’s team created CycloClothCo, a venture aimed at educating people on sustainable shopping and clothing creation.
While working on CycloClothCo was valuable, McManus explained that her biggest takeaway was learning how to expand her thinking beyond the United States. “I realized going to Germany and going to the ICSB Academy that some of the issues we have here in America aren’t an issue in Germany, Dubai, or Korea. You realize you have to actually look at entrepreneurship on a broader spectrum of not just America, but the world in general,” McManus explained.
The experience also allowed her to make valuable connections with students and entrepreneurs from Germany and Dubai. “Now I have connections from around the world. If I ever want to bounce ideas off of them, I can just message them,” said McManus.
When it comes to starting her own business, McManus has always been passionate about bakeries and coffee shops. Seeing the cafes and businesses abroad inspired her to merge these concepts into a unique venture in the United States. “I want a place where people can come in, buy a scone, buy a cupcake, maybe get a simple latte, and sit down to do homework,” McManus said.
By combining her passions, she aims to attract a diverse crowd and create a space where people can make memories and build community.
Visit ent.rowan.edu to learn more about Entrepreneurship at Rowan.
Story by: Madison Miller
