​On October 29th, North Iowa Area Community College’s Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center held the 2019 NIACC Pappajohn Center Entrepreneur Gala which recognized outstanding entrepreneurs in the area. One of the entrepreneurs recognized was UNI student, Samantha Schupanitz. She received special recognition of Student Entrepreneur of the Year for her business, Sami’s Sock Monkeys.

Schupanitz started her company, Sami’s Sock Monkeys, during her senior year while attending Mason City High School. She has been making sock monkeys for most of her life and decided that she could turn her love for crafting sock monkeys into a business. She then continued with her company through her two years at NIACC and proceeds to while currently studying at UNI. She takes special orders and also holds pop up shops around the area.

Sami is currently studying Marketing with an emphasis in Digital Media and Advertising and a minor in entrepreneurship. She plans on graduating in May of 2020. Her advice to young entrepreneurs is never let an opportunity pass. Push yourself outside your comfort zone and just try it. There is no harm done in just trying.