UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A ray of sunlight that appeared on a sidewalk on a cloudy day helped sparked a business idea and created a new mindset for one Penn State student.
Chloe Sobel, a senior majoring in psychology, created a business named “Stay in the Light” a year ago when she experienced the light on the sidewalk.
“I was able to take in my surroundings and had a moment of appreciation,” said Sobel, who walked toward the light to stay warm on a cool day.
The graphic for her introductory apparel line is inspired by that moment. A triangle represents the sidewalk, and the font is what Sobel saw on a nearby street sign. The colors of the sweatshirt and tote bag that were released on her website are gender neutral.
Sobel’s mother, Allison Sobel, said "her Chloe" always tried to include everyone in her life. In preschool, her teachers witnessed her playing with a boy when no one else would. That give-and-share approach seemingly defines Chloe Sobel.
“Any drop has intention behind it. There is no purpose of climbing up this ladder if you can’t give back,” Sobel said.
While running her start-up business, she developed an approach and mindset that others notice.
“She always had a curiosity about life and bigger picture things. She believes in connecting to a purpose and revealing other people’s life purpose,” Allison Sobel said.
A portion of the proceeds from Sobel’s sales will go to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). With people suffering in Ukraine and across the globe, she’s happy to do something to help.
Sobel, a resident of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, operates her business by herself, including her social media efforts. She created the graphic on Adobe Spark because Penn State offers that software for free to students. A family member in Los Angeles prints her apparel and merchandise.
Sobel also utilized other Penn State resources, such as the Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank, to support her efforts. She would randomly go to the LaunchBox to do homework, and because she was in the building, that led to a tour and some business consultation. Plus, the entrepreneurial atmosphere helped.
“It was about being around people who inspire me, and I found it at the LaunchBox. I absorbed their confidence and entrepreneurial ability,” Sobel said.
All that support helped her believe her business could become a reality. And that influenced her mother. “She is my greatest teacher on this planet,” Allision Sobel said.
Chloe Sobel is a part of the creative writing club, LifeLink and Kappa Delta sorority. She recently started an internship at a publishing and consulting company, too.
“I am proud of myself, and how my business became a reality is a dream come true,” said Sobel.