Mallory Matthews, a senior marketing major, is the owner of Mementos by Mallory and a resident in the Samford Startup student business incubator program. She blends art and strategy, crafting vibrant artwork that uplifts others. Mallory has the heart to help support families facing unexpected pregnancies, which has led to her donating 10% of her proceeds to help this cause.

Mementos by Mallory started in January 2023 out of a deep entrepreneurial passion that finally came to life. Since I was a little girl, I have always dreamed of owning a business. To me, entrepreneurship was the most obvious way to combine my creativity with my organizational and planning skills. My art has been known to bring joy to people for years, so I decided to start there. I wanted to find a way to not only start a business, but to create a way to connect people with a good cause, bringing the philanthropic aspect of my small business into play. From there Mementos by Mallory began and has been thriving since!

I wanted to join the Samford Startup program because I want to be a part of a group of like-minded student entrepreneurs who can relate to my journey and provide an entrepreneurial community. I remember hearing about Samford Startup as a freshman and have been inspired and determined to join ever since! It is one of my favorite involvement opportunities that Samford offers.

Samford Startup has supported my business in countless ways, from mentoring from professionals and peers to financial aid and entrepreneurial education. The speakers have aided my understanding of owning a business and all that comes with it. There is truly nothing left unattended in Samford Startup—Dr. Mazzei seeks to answer every question we may have! In addition to providing education, Samford Startup also offers a community of like-minded entrepreneurs where ideas and advice are always available. I will forever be grateful for the relationships and connections I have formed in Samford Startup. The people are what make the program!

The most challenging part of launching Mementos by Mallory was simply getting started. As a perfectionist, I wanted everything to be just right and thoughtfully planned out before I got started. This prevented me from accomplishing the most important step: launching the business. I overcame this by seeking advice from loved ones who encouraged me throughout the process. I truly could not have done it without their push!

The Samford Startup program has helped me to grow professionally through regular encounters with professional businessmen and women. We are constantly encouraged to ask questions and make connections in the business world, and we certainly have had many chances to do so through the many speakers that have been brought into our meetings. In addition, we are highly encouraged to participate in a pitch competition where we pitch our businesses to a room full of businesspeople. I had the privilege of doing so, which has significantly increased my professionalism and confidence in my entrepreneurial abilities.

I envision a well-known business that provides art for a cause to local businesses. I hope to create designs using my artwork that can be printed on just about everything from planners and stationary to textiles and home goods. I am passionate about making a difference through this business both in the lives of the customers who are purchasing my artwork as well as the demographic I am raising money for.

Mementos by Mallory was started out of a desire to provide art for a cause. The cause part of that vision stemmed from a calling to raise money in support of the family unit. Since I have been raised in such a loving and supportive family who have shaped who I am and the success I have had, I want to give that same opportunity to others. That is why I donate 10% of my proceeds each month to nonprofit organizations supporting single parents, unwanted pregnancies and unexpected pregnancies. These nonprofits provide everything from pregnancy counseling and aid, to baby supplies and parenting classes. The need for a stronger family unit is evident, and I hope to provide even a little relief for struggling families.

I see Mementos by Mallory having an impact on the Samford and Birmingham communities through my love for all things local. I have already participated in Samford’s Spring Swing and Shop market, where I was able to connect my business with a large group of Samford students. I also have many clients in Birmingham who have supported me since the beginning. I hope that my business can both give people an outlet to make a difference through their purchase and be an inspiration to other student entrepreneurs.

I would encourage other student entrepreneurs to join the Samford Startup program because it has given me opportunities that I could have only dreamed of otherwise. The connections, relationships, and wisdom I have gained from being in the program for only a year have been instrumental in helping me to achieve entrepreneurial success!