Entrepreneurs EXPOSED

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Do you find yourself wondering what it’s REALLY like to start your own business while in college? Then look no further than the McFerrin Center’s Entrepreneurs EXPOSED! Featuring current student startup leaders, you will be introduced to a community of fellow Aggies that have taken the plunge and are actively building a business while also furthering their education at Texas A&M. Through these informal and intimate discussions, you can gain insights from students whose startups are tackling big problems in a variety of industries and learn from their experiences how to juggle the daily demands of being a student and an entrepreneur. 

This semester’s Entrepreneurs EXPOSED events are proudly planned and presented by student leaders of the McFerrin Experience Team!

Upcoming Spring 2026

  • Tuesday, March 31 | 7 p.m. | RSVP
    • featuring Logan Russell ’24, ’26, founder of Runner’s High Cookies
    • Logan Russell ’24, ’26 [urban and regional planning), is the founder of Runner’s High Cookies, a Texas cottage food bakery that specializes in homemade, gourmet cookies. For more than three years, Logan has been baking for the Bryan-College Station region while simultaneously studying at Texas A&M University. The original chocolate chip cookie recipe belonged to his grandmother, passed down by his mother, and he initially used this recipe to raise funds for his high school cross country team. While continuing his long-distance running pursuits, Logan also baked for friends and family. It wasn’t until his sophomore year that his friends encouraged him to develop more creative flavors based on that initial recipe. Motivated by their encouragement and feedback, he decided to venture into selling these cookies. In August 2022, Logan established Runner’s High Cookies, a business that combines his passion for baking and running. Since its inception, Logan has expanded the business to offer over 21 cookie flavors year-round, along with cookie cake options, all available on a personalized website for local pickup and delivery.

Past Spring 2026

  • Tuesday, Jan. 27
    • featured Zoë Tsoukalas ’25, ’26, founder and CEO of Zoläla Matcha
    • Zoë Tsoukalas is the founder and CEO of Zoläla Matcha, a matcha cart and pop-up experience focused on quality, wellness and community. Zoe earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Texas A&M University and is currently pursuing a master’s in audit accounting as a member of the Class of ’26, while running her business alongside graduate school. The idea for Zoläla Matcha was sparked during her internship in Dallas, where she was inspired by pop-up culture and experience-driven brands. After testing over 40 types of matcha, refining her technique, and designing (and building) her own custom cart, Zoë launched Zoläla Matcha in late September 2025. The business quickly gained traction, selling out pop-ups, booking events and expanding to a second cart to give clients more options for their events. Zoë manages all aspects of the business, from making matcha and marketing to social media and building connections on and off campus. Her long-term vision is to share the matcha experience with communities around the world and grow Zoläla Matcha into a franchise. She’s excited to share her experience building a business from the ground up with other students.
  • Thursday, Feb. 26
    • featured Neharika Vajinapalli ’26, founder and CEO of made2polish
    • Neharika Vajinapalli is the founder and CEO of made2polish, an innovative nail brand dedicated to artistic expression, affordability and increased access to beauty products. A senior majoring in supply chain management at Texas A&M University, Neharika plans to further develop her expertise by pursuing a master’s degree in business analytics and data science. Following her graduation this spring, she will join PepsiCo’s Chicago office, where she aims to advance her corporate career while continuing to grow her business. Neharika founded made2polish in high school to serve individuals with demanding lifestyles who lacked access to traditional salon services. As her technical skills grew, she earned a cosmetology degree to fully commit to scaling the brand. Since then, the business has expanded rapidly, now encompassing multiple product lines, services, and future innovations. She oversees all aspects of the company, including marketing, budgeting, product development, and relationship building. Beyond her own venture, Neharika has been deeply involved in entrepreneurship on campus through the McFerrin programs and currently serves as vice president of marketplaces for Aggie Entrepreneurs, a student organization she helped bring to life. From a passion sparked in sixth grade to leading a multi-line business today, Neharika is committed to redefining the nail industry. She looks forward to leveraging her supply chain background to support this mission and to inspiring other students to transform their passions into reality.