麻豆传媒映画

Billy Carter鈥檚 middle school teachers told him he would never amount to much, that he鈥檇 be lucky to graduate high school. Dropping out of college after a couple years made him worry his teachers might be right. But he will prove them wrong, sitting on the graduation stage as an award-winning business owner and soon-to-be 麻豆传媒映画 alumnus.

Carter was selected for the 2026 , given to a graduating student in recognition of their entrepreneurial efforts and personal accomplishments.

Carter鈥檚 journey at 麻豆传媒映画 started in the fall of 2013. He was a psychology major and had multiple leadership roles in Kappa Alpha Psi, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and All Greek Council.

In 2017, with a year of courses remaining, Carter chose to take a break and work because he could not afford school at the time.

Building on their extensive experience raising funds for fraternity causes, he and his friend Brian Levett (鈥�17) decided to try their hand at starting a business organizing paid events. This snowballed into hosting multiple events for nightclubs in San Diego and even a 1,200 person yacht party on the Hornblower.

He also worked as a street promoter for clubs in the Gaslamp District, then got promoted up to director of nightlife for a club. But when that club closed, he had to pivot a few times to different roles.

One call from an 麻豆传媒映画 connection changed everything. His friend from Greek life, Alexis Ramos (鈥�17), was working as a sports agent and needed a customized San Diego itinerary planned for one of her famous clients. Carter delivered.

鈥淏eing at San Diego State though, it鈥檚 a real community, it鈥檚 just a great foundation of students,鈥� Carter said. Without that request from a friend, he wouldn鈥檛 be in the situation he is in now. 鈥淭he whole networking pool and the friendships; it goes a long way.鈥�

This was the catalyst of a full-fledged concierge trip-planning business, Celebrity Concierge. Reminded of how much he had enjoyed upselling trinkets and snacks to his friends, he completed an online certificate in entrepreneurship and decided to return to school.

An Aztec again

Seven years after dropping out, Carter re-enrolled at 麻豆传媒映画, this time with a major in , offered through the Department of in the College of Education.

鈥淚 put school on the backburner for a while. I didn鈥檛 think I was smart enough; I thought my learning disability was going to affect me,鈥� Carter said.

But Lisa Gates, who taught some of his leadership classes, helped him recognize all that he had accomplished and all that he was capable of. 鈥淪he literally made me fall back in love with school again.鈥�

Carter joined the ZIP Launchpad to scale the concierge business into a more structured and efficient enterprise. 鈥淚 felt like I was so at home the first day,鈥� he said about being surrounded by other student founders, figuring out solutions to business problems together.

Getting the call he had been selected for the Zahn award in recognition of his entrepreneurial spirit felt unlike any other recognition. 鈥淚 used to think, when I get an award, I鈥檓 focused on what鈥檚 next.鈥� In this case, having Gates, who helped him recognize and overcome his own imposter syndrome, nominate him, made him feel like he really deserved to celebrate.

鈥淭hat was validation after I got that call,鈥� Carter said. 鈥淚t was like a silencer for all those voices in my head; all those voices I came across; middle school teachers; all the doubters.鈥�

鈥淚 just never gave up my dreams and goals. I had a lot of obstacles; all the odds against me and naysayers just saying I couldn鈥檛 complete different goals of mine,鈥� Carter said.

The Zahn Spirit of Innovation Award is funded by Irwin Zahn and the Moxie Foundation. Zahn鈥檚 philanthropic giving goes beyond this annual scholarship. His donations also created the and the Zahn Professorship of Creativity and Innovation.