Sam Grigg

Aloha! My name is Sam Grigg, and I am a junior studying hospitality and tourism management. Although I am not minoring in entrepreneurship, I have had a strong interest in it since high school. I come from a small town in eastern Oregon called Burns. My first business idea was a frozen yogurt shop called The Frozen Yeti. After that, I came up with several other ideas, and during my mission I wrote my first business plan. Since coming to BYU–Hawaii, I have participated in every business competition I could.

During my sophomore year, I took a social entrepreneurship class that taught me how entrepreneurship can create jobs and innovative solutions to help people. Since then, I have been searching for a business I can start in Indonesia, where I served my mission, that will positively impact others. I have explored a variety of ideas, ranging from waste collection and an online tour agency to a murder mystery Airbnb, which I have presented in the Empower Your Dreams and Great Ideas business competitions.

Through these competitions, I have had the opportunity to network with successful entrepreneurs who are working to develop multiple resorts in Bali. This spring and summer, I will intern with them in Bali and help lay the foundation for their new business, giving me hands-on experience in high-level entrepreneurship.

The most important lesson I have learned throughout my journey is to dream big and pursue your goals with determination. Although none of my Empower Your Dreams or Great Ideas business concepts have made it to the finals yet, I have learned that never giving up—continuing to try no matter the outcome, and trusting in the Lord—is what makes it possible for dreams to come true in unexpected ways.