Washington, PA (February 9, 2026) – Before arriving at Washington & Jefferson College each day, Keley Dorzin often headed to work.
Actually, two jobs.
He spent his mornings knocking on doors for Home Genius Exteriors and his evenings at Walmart, juggling long hours just to stay ahead of bills. Like many students balancing school and work, he assumed multiple paychecks were simply the cost of getting by.
“I truly believed without a job, I would never make it,” Dorzin said. “I was constantly stressed about money and didn’t have much time for myself or my family.”
At the time, TikTok was just a creative outlet — a place to post funny videos for friends. Turning content into income wasn’t even on his radar.
That changed during Ignite.
Through classroom discussions with Professors Miller and Christie, Dorzin began learning the fundamentals of business strategy: identifying customer needs, researching target audiences, and developing a plan before launching an idea. The lessons reframed how he thought about opportunity.
“In business, you have to understand what people actually want,” he said. “Without a plan, a business can’t grow. That really clicked for me.”
For a course project, Dorzin explored online business models and developed a concept for selling products digitally. While the project didn’t win, the experience and encouragement from a guest entrepreneur speaker gave him the confidence to try.
“You don’t have to be perfect,” he recalled. “You just have to be confident and be yourself.”
After Ignite, Dorzin stopped treating TikTok as a hobby and started approaching it like a business.
He launched his first online brand, made his first 20 sales, and began studying his audience — their age, interests, and shopping habits. With more than 60,000 followers, he connected with brands through TikTok Shop, earning commissions on sales and creating sponsored content.
Last August, he made the leap. Dorzin left both jobs and committed fully to growing his online business.
“It was a huge risk,” he said. “I had less than $1,000 in my account and invested everything into better equipment and content. But I believed in what I was building.”
The risk paid off.
Today, Dorzin has generated more than $400,000 in sales through TikTok Shop affiliate partnerships and his own Shopify store. He works with suppliers, manages a small fulfillment team, and collaborates with other creators who promote his products. By filming content in batches and scheduling posts around classes, he keeps his business running while staying focused on his education.
What made the difference, he says, was learning how to pair strategy with creativity.
“Once I understood my audience and how the TikTok algorithm works, everything changed,” Dorzin said. “It’s not just posting — it’s telling the right story to the right people.”
Balancing coursework and entrepreneurship isn’t always easy, but he views the challenge as part of the process.
“Struggle is part of any path you choose,” he said. “You just have to keep going.”
For other students who feel stuck working jobs that don’t move them forward, Dorzin encourages them to think differently about opportunity.
“Start thinking like a business owner instead of just a consumer,” he said. “You’ll start seeing possibilities everywhere.”
What began as a class assignment has grown into a thriving business — and a reminder that the skills developed in the classroom can translate directly into real-world success.
At Washington & Jefferson, Dorzin found more than an idea. He found the confidence to build something of his own.
About Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, proudly located in Washington, PA., is a historic liberal arts college founded in 1781 that values ethical leadership, professional readiness, and inclusive communities. Our highly customized and intellectually engaging student experience develops professionals of uncommon integrity to lead in an ever-changing world. For more information about Washington & Jefferson College, visit www.washjeff.edu, or call 888-W-AND-JAY.
date: 2026-02-09 20:16:00