Co-owner & Founder of Blank Canvas VTA, LLC
By Kirstin Rizk, English Intern
Rachel Villoria Cunningham’s goal was to become a professor. She started by pursuing her degree in English with an emphasis in education at CSUCI, which she chose because it was close to home, quiet, and beautiful. She balanced this with full-time work as a retail team leader. Afterward, she moved to London to complete her master’s degree in English at King’s College London to experience a new setting. By the time she finished her Master’s, she still intended on becoming a professor, but wanted a break from academia before pursuing her PhD. During this time, she began working as a freelance copywriter and copy editor.
Rachel recounts, “My time as a freelancer particularly informed the path I am on now. I found that it was often difficult to find jobs that paid fair wages, and it was especially hard to find jobs in my own community. This is, unfortunately, a common experience. It inspired me to want to do better for others.” She also found that there was plenty of competition, so it was difficult to secure jobs before having built up her portfolio. Further, some weeks she would work 80 hours, rushing to get something done, and other weeks she had no work.
For these reasons, she applied to Patagonia and was hired as a copyeditor. She loved working for the company and was motivated by her values aligning with Patagonia’s. In the end though, it still is a corporation, and Rachel wanted to feel more connected to her community.
Thus, Rachel has spent the last six months building her own business, Blank Canvas VTA, a platform supporting local businesses. Blank Canvas VTA’s online platform will allow independent businesses and artists to sell their products, fulfill orders, and take advantage of promotional opportunities.
“Financial barriers and a lack of local connections can cause roadblocks that are often insurmountable for those just starting out their businesses, especially those that do not come from wealth,” she explains. “As such, we hope that Blank Canvas VTA will offer an open door for small businesses that might otherwise go unseen, especially those coming from marginalized groups.”
Eventually, the business will open a brick-and-mortar location that will provide Ventura business owners and artists with equipment, workspace, events, and community.
Currently, Rachel’s job consists of creating spreadsheets, editing her website, emailing, attending meetings, and creating content. Once the business launches, it will also include meeting with vendors and customers.
As a business owner, Rachel has found communication skills, attention to detail, and organization to be key to her success. Many of these skills were cultivated during the pursuit of her degrees.
Her favorite part of her job is having been able to create something out of nothing. Her least favorite part has been the bureaucracy of starting a business. Currently, she is working on permits and full of anticipation to finally launch.
The key to Rachel’s success in the past - and she anticipates it will be the same in the future – is her adaptability. During her freelance work, forming a concept for a business, and updating all factors of her forming business have required adaptability. Further, as Blank Canvas VTA will be an ecommerce business (with potential to grow brick-and-mortar options later on), Rachel knows that adaptability will be necessary as ecommerce platforms, social media platforms, and marketing trends change.
While her goals have changed since pursuing her English degree, Rachel maintains that the skills she obtained have served her well and will always be valuable. For current and prospective students, her advice is to join in on the discussions: “Some of my best memories as a student were the times that I really engaged in my classes. Even if you think the points that you can make might not be the most valid, you will learn something by doing this. Whether you're in a small class, or in a meeting, there's nowhere to hide. Don't be afraid to voice your thoughts and use these critical thinking skills to back them up.”
For soon-to-be graduates, Rachel’s advice is to enjoy the time you left even if it is challenging and take any opportunity to network. Ten years after graduating, she still has people reaching out from CSUCI. Lastly, she adds, “When it comes to applying for jobs, don't get discouraged! It can be difficult to leave the student life behind and can be disheartening applying to job after job, often never hearing back. But eventually, you're going to get that first yes.”
Rachel’s path has led her to many exciting opportunities that she has been happy take advantage of. Although she has no current intention of getting her PhD to pursue teaching, she hasn’t ruled it out either. She will continue building her business and following the path that unfolds before her, ready to adapt as she grows and changes.
Email: rachelvilloria@gmail.com