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BRISTOL, R.I. – When Alyssa Fournier arrived at Roger Williams University from Denver, she didn’t expect to find a community so invested in her success. Now a senior double majoring in Marketing and Management, Fournier has not only built two thriving businesses from the ground up, she’s also earned top honors at statewide pitch competitions, all while completing her bachelor’s degree in just three years.

“The welcoming and supportive community at Roger Williams University played a huge role in this journey,” said Fournier, who serves as Vice President of ��������’s . “Coming from Colorado, I didn’t expect such a tight-knit atmosphere, but I found that �������� encourages growth not just in business, but in personal confidence and connections, too.”

Fournier’s entrepreneurial path began at age 14, when she started designing and selling jewelry. Years of craft fairs and pop-up shops honed her product, but her focus shifted when she met �������� alum Michelle Santiago ’11, owner of the  in Warren, R.I. After pitching her jewelry to Santiago, Fournier was offered an internship and shelf space in the region’s largest gift shop.

This breakthrough quickly sparked a larger idea. As Fournier became more familiar with retail challenges from both the artisan and business-owner perspectives, she recognized a need for a new kind of business model, one that supported makers while offering sustainability to retailers. She pitched Santiago a subscription-based model that equips artisans with essential business expertise, offers a retail platform to showcase their work, and supports brick-and-mortar small businesses struggling to sustain themselves under challenging and ever-changing business trends.

“The traditional wholesale model is dying,” Fournier said. “Consumers can now go straight to the source, bypassing retail altogether. My model helps artists get into physical stores and gives retailers new ways to stay afloat.”

Santiago embraced the concept, and by Nov. 1, Slangin’ Spots officially launched. Today, more than 120 artisans have joined the subscription, generating tens of thousands of dollars in mere months, with projections to hit six figures by July.

The idea earned Fournier first place at the ’s Student Pitch Contest at Bryant University this February, and a third-place finish at the  hosted at �������� in March.

“I emphasized that my business model doesn’t just solve one problem; it solves two,” Fournier said. “Artisans struggle with retail access, and stores struggle with keeping the wholesale model alive. Judges could see that I believed in what I was saying.”

Among those who believed in her was Joe Brito, Jr. P’11, �������� Trustee Emeritus and President and CEO of C.B. Utility Co., Inc.; C. Brito Construction Co., Inc.; Tupelo Realty; and Unity Park. Fournier met Brito at a CEO Club speaker event and asked for mentorship, a decision she says has been pivotal to her growth as a business owner.

“I didn’t know how to protect myself legally when I pitched the idea to Imagine,” Fournier said. “Joe connected me with a legal team, helped draft contracts, and really made sure my idea couldn’t just be taken from me. That kind of guidance is invaluable, especially when you’re a young independent woman trying to navigate an unfamiliar business landscape.”

Fournier has also taken on a mentorship role, guiding her friend Elix Alexander, a sophomore Accounting major and Food Studies minor from New York City, on how to effectively sell products and pitch new ideas. Alexander placed third at the state pitch contest for her reusable device that provides relief for nosebleeds, aimed at making treatment more affordable and environmentally sustainable. “Winning the pitch competition feels incredible, but even more amazing is seeing someone I’ve helped also succeed alongside me,” Fournier said. “It gave me confidence that industry professionals believe in what I’m building.”

One of the biggest influences on her entrepreneurial path has been the CEO Club, which has provided countless resources and a sense of belonging. “It’s more than a club, it’s a community that uplifts your ideas and supports your growth,” she said. “Before I joined, I didn’t really feel like I had found my place on campus. But through CEO and through mentorship, I’ve built something meaningful, and I’ve built it surrounded by people who want to see me succeed.”

Today, Fournier’s jewelry line is sold in 28 stores across 12 states, and her innovative retail model continues to attract new artisans every week. As she looks ahead to graduation, her story stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when passion, community, and bold ideas intersect.

“I’ve been an entrepreneur for seven years, and every year I’ve learned something new,” Fournier said. “�������� gave me the space and support to take everything to the next level.”