Entrepreneurship Certificate

I started this course feeling confident because I already had a business up and running. However, this class gave me a much better understanding of running a business, especially the money part. Learning about financial analysis made me see things I hadn’t thought about before, and it made everything feel more real and organized.
The business plan was the most helpful part for me. It showed me everything from market research to operations and long-term planning, which gave me new ideas about what I want to achieve. The market research was really important because it made me go out and talk to real businesses, both ones I knew and new ones I didn’t. This helped me figure out where I really fit in the market. One of the biggest surprises for me was realizing that being an entrepreneur isn’t just about owning a business; it’s about having a certain mindset. It’s about always learning, working hard, making changes, and building something bigger.
The business plan’s structure was something I really liked, and I plan to use it for future businesses too. This course also made me more confident in charging what my work is worth. Understanding costs and expenses changed how I think about pricing and long-term growth. Overall, this class helped me take my business more seriously and see a clear path forward. Thank you for creating a course that truly applies to real life and real entrepreneurs. Rudy Romero
Entrepreneurship Program Student

Alejandra Viana’s entrepreneurial journey began at just 19, when she launched Leg Candy Apparel, a women’s clothing line manufactured entirely in Los Angeles. Despite the many challenges of running a business so young, she grew the company to $100,000 in revenue in its first year alone. The experience revealed a natural talent for business and sparked a deeper interest in formal education, leading her to earn a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the College of Business and Economics at California State University, Fullerton, in 2017. Along the way, she was one of the first startups admitted into the CSUF Business Incubator and completed the university’s Financial Literacy Bootcamp — an experience that would go on to shape much of her later work.
That entrepreneurial spirit has carried through every chapter since. Alejandra went on to launch a meal prepping business and later founded AV Business Solutions, a consulting practice that helps small business owners — particularly those in BIPOC communities and tech beginners — build customized marketing and digital organization strategies.
Education and community have remained constant threads throughout her career. She worked temporarily with OC United Way as a financial literacy educator, leading workshops for underserved communities, and as a career coach at Santiago Canyon College, she guided Orange Unified School District high schoolers toward dual enrollment and CTE certificates — including hands-on budgeting activities where students calculated the real cost of living to see firsthand why college or a certificate could lead to a higher-paying future. In 2019, she also played a role in the redevelopment and rebranding of the Digital Media Center in Santa Ana, home to the Orange County Small Business Development Center and a business incubator and co-working space.
After becoming a mother and navigating the shifts of the pandemic, Alejandra moved into the corporate world in 2021, joining Omnicom’s advertising agency network as an Account Executive and working with clients including AT&T and American Express.
Outside of her professional life, Alejandra is a passionate advocate for women’s health and financial literacy, with a long-term goal of opening a women’s community space that brings the two together — support and resources for the mind, body, and soul alike. She’s also a self-described wellness enthusiast who loves cooking, learning about different cultures, crafting with her daughter, and Latin dancing. Alejandra Viana
Adjunct Faculty