ULV Empowers Teen Entrepreneur

ULV Empowers Teen Entrepreneur

Anthony Garrido '25 starts his Saturdays before sunrise, loading up vending machines in bustling Ontario warehouses. By the time most of his peers are just waking up, the 19-year-old Upland native is already turning a profit.

With determination, ingenuity, and business resources and practice from the University of La Verne, Garrido turned a simple idea into a thriving business projected to earn $30,000 a year. The business student credits experiences with the the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Integrated Business Program for helping to transform his vision into reality.

"I have learned so many skills - from how to conduct research and write a business plan to how to pitch a smart idea and get a loan," Garrido said.

Inspired by his Cuban grandfather's entrepreneurial legacy, Garrido saw opportunity where others overlooked it. He placed vending machines in warehouses with no fast food nearby, using app-enabled technology for remote inventory management. His business model is both strategic and efficient, allowing him to juggle school and his job as a fast-food assistant manager.

Anthony's ambition doesn't stop there. Through ULV's Integrated Business Program, he led a student-run business as CEO, raising more than $11,000 for charity. He's also saving to invest in a fast-food franchise, a dream fueled by his passion for creating opportunities for himself and others.

"ULV has taught me more than business skills-it's shown me what's possible when you have the right support and mindset," Garrido says.

Whether in a classroom or at a vending machine at dawn, Garrido is proving that success is within reach-with a little grit and a lot of heart.