Student Life
A Brilliant Future
Ask Devin Mullen what he likes to do for fun and he sounds just like a typical Penn State Altoona sophomore. States Mullen, "I like to bike, play tennis, and just hang out with my friends." Then ask him what he does with the rest of his time and the response is anything but typical. At only 20 years of age, Mullen is in his third year as owner of Your Jewelry Box, a successful business located in downtown Altoona.
Mullen has had a keen eye for business since a young age. As an early teen, Mullen began contemplating ways he could earn extra spending money. "I'm a 14-year-old, too young to go out and get a job, yet I have a dream of making my own money, even if it's only an extra five or ten dollars."
A family vacation to the Outer Banks found Mullen accompanying his mother to her favorite jewelry store. While the owner joked with Mullen about buying his store, the seed was planted and the idea of selling jewelry began to grow. Sensing Mullin might be serious, the owner handed him a catalog and told his business associates to "add Mullen to your list." Your Jewelry Box was born, its roots stemming from just one catalog.
Recalls Mullen, "I began by going to lots of places, introducing myself to people, and visiting my relatives, who would place orders directly from my catalog." Starting out as a whim, Mullen's traveling jewelry enterprise soon grew into a prominent business endeavor. And for the past three years, Your Jewelry Box has had its doors open for business in the Altoona community to much success.
One can't help but ask why Mullen feels the need to pursue an undergraduate degree, when he already owns a successful business. According to Mullen, "I think a degree will give me the competitive edge in the marketplace and allow my business to operate more efficiently." While Mullen believes that he has a lot of 'real world' business experience, he notes that "an education will help me become well-rounded."
Intrigued by foreign languages and cultures, Mullen embarked on an educational trip to France last summer. While he enjoyed the opportunity to broaden his expertise in the French language, his trip had the unexpected bonus of an internship with a jewelry store. Beams Mullen, "I thought I would end up translating or something like that for my internship, but instead I was learning about my career in a foreign culture firsthand. It was a great experience."
Creating time for his education has been no easy task. Mullen spends countless hours at the store while juggling a full-time course load at the same time. Mullen credits his staff with providing him the freedom to pursue his education. "My employees are the ones responsible for keeping things together and running smoothly while I am constantly in and out," Mullen expresses gratefully.
He employs six full-time staff whom he likens to family rather than employees. With eyes sparkling as brightly as his gemstones, Mullen states, "Your Jewelry Box is definitely family-oriented. It is a heck of a lot easier to come to work every day when you feel like you're making a difference for them and for your community."