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Skidmore alumni network fuels entrepreneurial passion

November 29, 2023

Ivy Asamoah ’19, founder of , remembers when she tried to jumpstart her first company shortly after graduation.

“No one wanted to work with a recent college graduate who needed to set up a payment plan to pay for cosmetics manufacturing — I was too big of a risk,” says Asamoah, whose first company focused on skin products for men of color. 

Out of frustration, Asamoah did what she does best during both good and challenging times. She created. She combined some leftover dried hibiscus flowers, cloves, cinnamon, anise, and orange peel and made a vibrant refresher for her mother, who was recovering from COVID-19 in the tiny Bronx apartment the two shared. Soon, Asamoah’s novel refreshers were in demand for weddings, baby showers, and other events. 

Nourrir Drinks — a sparkling juice brand inspired by West African, Caribbean, and Latin American flavors — was established in 2020 and now ships to more than 300 Stop & Shop grocery stores across New York state and New England. 

An international affairs major who planned to study law, Asamoah was drawn early on to entrepreneurship. But it wasn’t until participating in the Kenneth A. Freirich Entrepreneurship Competition during her senior year and studying abroad at the American Business School of Paris that she would fully realize her passion for entrepreneurship. 

During the competition, she connected with Nancy Wekselbaum ’73, founder of the Gracious Gourmet condiment company, and Richard Wartel ’91, investor and serial entrepreneur.

“Nancy was one reason I didn’t give up during the early days of Nourrir, with her unwavering support and guidance,” says Asamoah, a finalist in the entrepreneurship competition who still keeps in touch with both alumni. “Rich provided me with the hard skills I needed, like how to write a pitch deck, and inspired me to always strive to be solution-oriented in everything I do.”

Andrew Goetz ’84, CEO of cosmetics company Malin+Goetz whom Asamoah found through the College’s online alumni network, also served as a mentor, inviting her to his company’s headquarters in New York City to learn the day-to-day operations of running a business. 

“Having access to a strong network of Skidmore alumni proved to be such an advantage,” Asamoah says. “I was surrounded by successful entrepreneurs who had become their wildest dreams, and that made all the difference.”