From Classrooms to Cans: Meet Lucas Lauricella, the Student Entrepreneur Brewing Success with Lucid Leaf's Energy Drink
As the semester moves toward Fall Commencement, some of our Student Venture Pathways seniors will embark on new journeys. They offered reflections on how FORGE has impacted their time at the University of Arizona.
Peer Venture Coach Lucas Lauricella is a senior majoring in Business Management at the Eller College of Business. As a student founder, Lucas had to balance his academic goals with his entrepreneurial ventures and leadership roles. In addition to his academic achievements, Lucas has shown a passion for innovation and a commitment to his communities.
Originally from Clayton, California, Lucas was drawn to the University of Arizona's pride and generous merit aid - which convinced him to pursue his academic goals here.
“The University of Arizona was a great choice,” said Lauricella “The professors' engagement and the amount of opportunity for those who seek it out, is one of my favorite things.”
Lucas is a co-founder of Lucid Leaf, a student-led company that offers healthy drinks brewed with monk fruit and guayusa - a rare plant, used to prevent energy crashes. Before Lucid Leaf, he gained valuable industry experience through employment at CPG leaders like Coca-Cola and General Mills. His experience as a student founder made him a natural fit for FORGE where he works as a Peer Venture Coach.
Lucas' involvement goes beyond the classroom and the business world. He has participated in the Campus Leader Program, helping to foster a vibrant and engaged campus community.
His role with FORGE has allowed him to share his unique insights as a student founder and help other students interested in becoming entrepreneurs. "Mentoring student-founders and witnessing their growth is a privilege," says Lauricella. "FORGE has helped my interpersonal skills and reinforced my entrepreneurial mindset.”
For Lucas, an "entrepreneurial mindset" is a perspective of what you notice in the world, combined with a reflection of how you can help shape and improve it.
A highlight of working at FORGE has been meeting new people and learning what it is to be a true mentor. “I look forward to connecting with ambitious peers,” said Lauricella. “Helping them cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset lets me know I’m doing my job.”
After graduation, he plans to head off to law school while working to grow his beverage business with his co-founder. As the time approaches, Lauricella uses what he learned at FORGE to offer a piece of advice to upcoming seniors.
“I’d encourage anyone to think long and hard about whether they're most comfortable in a typical 9-5 role," said Lauricella. "Or see the need to escape from the conventional workforce, and work on something more meaningful.”