Starting a business at university can feel daunting, but it is also one of the lowest-risk times to test an idea, earn money and build something that could become your full-time career. Here is how Naomi Stevens launched her company while studying, and what student founders need to know in 2026.
Education can be challenging and rewarding, yet it does not always reveal what you want to do next. For Naomi Stevens, the spark came unexpectedly. She enjoyed the thrill of returning from lectures to discover she had made a sale, gained an industry contact and secured a yearly renewal. Today she works from home, running the flexible lifestyle she wanted by starting a business at university. Her story shows that you can become your own boss at any stage of life.
From uninspiring lectures to a business idea
Naomi’s journey began while she was applying to university. Despite strong A-level results, she did not get into her first-choice course. She had applied to dentistry almost on a whim, partly because her mother suggested engineering and she instinctively went the other way. In the end she studied medical engineering, but she quickly realised university was not the right fit for her.
Like many students, she had been told that a degree was the only route to success. Looking back, she disagrees: success comes from the person, not just their qualifications. Degrees matter for regulated professions and can support a business, but they are not the only path.
One day, dreading another lecture, she decided to change direction. She asked herself three questions: What am I good at and enjoy? What do I already know? How can I turn that knowledge into a business? She loved weddings and understood what brides wanted, having worked in the wedding industry since she was 14. Her solution was to create a clean, easy-to-use wedding directory for Devon that showcased advertisers well. In 2011, Devon Wedding Guide was born.
Balancing a startup with a degree
Devon Wedding Guide was a steep learning curve. Naomi had to master every aspect of running a business, from sales to marketing. It took months of persistence to land the first paying advertiser, even though her prices were low. She soon learned that undercharging can damage credibility and attract the wrong clients. Researching competitor pricing and valuing your offer properly is essential.
She also had to protect her degree. Even though she did not enjoy the course, she did not want to fail. That meant setting clear boundaries: lectures and deadlines came first, business tasks filled the gaps. She used evenings and weekends for client calls and website updates, treating her degree timetable as the fixed structure around which everything else had to fit.
Another skill she had to learn fast was search engine optimisation. At first she was clueless, but it was vital for an online directory. If potential advertisers cannot find you on Google, they are unlikely to pay you. Naomi now knows SEO in depth and even runs a side business helping local companies with their campaigns.
Since graduating, she has embraced self-employment. The flexibility means she can take a break in the sun with her dog and a cup of tea when work allows. Her rule: start early, finish early.
The UK student startup landscape in 2026
Naomi’s experience is not unique. The UK has a strong student entrepreneurship culture. According to HESA data from 2023/24, there were around 2.9 million students in higher education across the UK, and a growing number are launching ventures alongside their studies. Programmes such as Start Up Loans, university enterprise hubs, and student-led networks like Enactus provide practical support, funding and mentoring.
The case for women founders is particularly compelling. The Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship (2019) found that only one in three UK entrepreneurs is a woman, and that up to £250 billion of new value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men. Universities are a natural place to close that gap, giving women founders access to networks, funding competitions and low-cost ways to test ideas before taking on major financial risk.
Digital tools have also made it cheaper and faster to start. A simple website, social media presence and email marketing can validate an idea before you spend heavily on stock or premises. Many student founders begin with service-based or digital businesses because they require little upfront capital. For women in particular, the flexibility of self-employment is a major draw. Prowess data on women in business tracks the growth of women-led businesses across every UK region, with many founders choosing to start small and scale from home.
Why university is a smart time for women founders
Starting a business at university offers advantages that are harder to find later. Your living costs may be lower, you often have access to free advice through your institution, and you can experiment without the pressure of a mortgage or dependents. For women founders, this can be especially valuable. Many women-led businesses begin in sectors that suit home-based or flexible models, from professional services to creative industries.
University also gives you a ready-made network. Fellow students can become first customers, co-founders or advocates. Lecturers and careers advisers may introduce you to local business support, including Growth Hubs and innovation centres. The key is to see your time at university as a launchpad rather than a distraction.
Practical steps for starting a business at university
If Naomi’s story has inspired you, here is how to turn your idea into action:
- Start with what you know. Look at your skills, hobbies and past jobs. The best business ideas often solve a problem you have experienced yourself.
- Do your market research. Talk to potential customers, check competitors and test demand before you invest time or money. Free tools like Google Trends and social media polls can help.
- Get the price right. Avoid the temptation to undercut everyone. Calculate your costs, research market rates and price for value. Low prices can signal low quality.
- Sort the basics. If you earn more than the £1,000 trading allowance in a tax year, you will need to register as self-employed with HMRC and file a Self Assessment tax return. The registration deadline is 5 October after the end of the tax year in which you started trading. Some founders choose to set up a limited company; choose the structure that suits your risk and ambitions. Our sole trader vs limited company comparison explains the current rules.
- Use free and low-cost support. Your university careers service, enterprise society or local Growth Hub can offer mentoring, workshops and sometimes funding. The government-backed Start Up Loans scheme provides loans of up to £25,000 and mentoring for eligible businesses. You can also explore business grants for women in the UK if your venture meets the criteria.
- Protect your studies. Treat your degree as a non-negotiable commitment. Block out time for coursework, then schedule business tasks around it.
- Build a simple online presence. A professional-looking website and active social media profiles help you look credible even when you are working from a student bedroom. Focus on one or two platforms where your customers spend time.
Naomi’s top tips for student founders
If you need a final push, here are three reasons to start today:
- It is low risk. You can test an idea with little capital. If it does not work, you still have your education and future career options.
- It builds focus. With limited time around lectures and assignments, you learn to prioritise. That pressure can improve concentration and motivation.
- You gain a head start. Most businesses begin small. By the time you graduate, yours could already be generating a healthy income.
Starting a business at university is not about having everything figured out. It is about using the resources, time and freedom you have to try something. As Naomi’s story shows, the idea you stumble on could become the career you never knew you wanted.
Good luck creating your dream business.
