Celebrating Women’s Small Business Month

October is National Women's Small Business Month, and we're celebrating the women who create and grow businesses in pursuit of their dreams. We highlight one special UC graduate who is achieving success after changing her original vision for the future. Hunt, Class of 2021, is the founder and owner of Whitney Hunt Marketing.

When Whitney Hunt arrived at the University of Charleston, she carried a clear vision for her future. Raised by her grandparents in Southern West Virginia, she was determined to study political science and become a lawyer.

However, as she explored new ideas through UC's Innovation Scholars program, she discovered a passion that would change her course: the world of entrepreneurship and creative storytelling.

"As my business grows, I want that growth to make a positive impact here in the great state of West Virginia," she said. "I am a West Virginia girl through and through, so whether that impact comes through creating jobs, giving back to local causes, or simply helping tell this state's story in a meaningful way, I want my work to reflect that love."

Originally set on becoming a lawyer, Hunt came to UC as a political science major.

"Throughout my childhood, I was absolutely set on becoming a lawyer. My grandparents still have a paper from when I was in elementary school that says, 'When I grow up, I want to be a lawyer."

But as a UC Innovation Scholar, she began to learn about entrepreneurship, leadership, and the creative process of building something from the ground up-and her plans changed. Motivated by this newfound passion, she added a double major in business.

When it was time to complete an internship, she chose to work with a local law firm. The experience gave her insight into the legal field, but she was drawn to the marketing side, promoting services, building relationships, and telling a story.

After the internship ended, she continued working on marketing projects for the firm and kept teaching herself more about marketing in her free time. Her list of clients grew.

Her UC mentors encouraged her to formalize her growing freelance work by establishing a real business. She started Moldavite Marketing while still attending UC and has since rebranded it as Hunt Marketing Agency.

"You never really know what you're capable of until you try," she said. "I've fallen flat on my face, made mistakes, and had moments I wish I could redo. However, each of those experiences taught me something valuable. None of my success in my career or life would have been possible if I hadn't been willing to try."

She adds that grace is one of the most important traits to cultivate in life and business, to have grace for those you lead and work alongside, but just as importantly, to have grace for yourself.

And never stop being a student. Learn as much as you can and then keep learning. Stay curious, stay open, and be willing to grow.

"I use so many of the things I learned at UC in my work every single day," Hunt said. "The Political Science, Business, and Innovation departments not only equipped me with knowledge and practical skills, but they also cared deeply about me as a person. During my time at UC, I faced many challenges, including losing loved ones, adjusting to a new environment, and building a network from scratch. Through it all, my UC family was there for me. They lifted me when I needed it most. Without UC, I wouldn't have had the confidence, connections, or courage to leap into entrepreneurship."

To learn more about Whitney and her company, visit her website here.