The Garage x SESP
The Garage is a community and physical space for every Northwestern student interested in entrepreneurship to learn, iterate, and grow. We offer students resources, programming, and mentorship designed to help build the skills and entrepreneurial mindset they need to succeed in any industry.
Students from across the University bring a wide range of diverse academic and personal experiences that enrich the entrepreneurial environment at The Garage through exposure to new ideas, ways of thinking and skill sets.
Since opening in 2015, SESP students have been steadfast members of The Garage community, complementing their classroom learning with building and leading their own organizations. For example, Lucas Philips, SESP ’19 + co-founder of Brewbike participated in programs at The Garage all four years of undergrad, and found early success through school support, opening his first pop-up coffee shop on campus in Annenberg Hall. Matt Zients, SESP ’20 co-founded a nonprofit startup called Connect & Care while participating in programs such as Residency and X-Factor at The Garage.
In the fall of 2022, there were 18 SESP students participating in programs at The Garage. Below are a few student stories.
Zoe Lewis, SESP ’25
Zoe has enthusiastically participated in multiple programs at The Garage including Residency, Propel, The Garage’s program for female student entrepreneurs, and Jumpstart, The Garage’s summer pre-accelerator program. She is also a current member of the Fall 2022 cohort of The Garage’s revolutionary leadership development program for student founders, X-Factor.

Major: Social Policy
Project / Company: PETAL Solutions prioritizes equitable, transformative, and active learning solutions.
Jack Ke, SESP ’23
Jack is a member of The Garage’s Residency program, building entrepreneurial and organizational skills through his experience working on Inbound’s growth team.

Major: Learning and Organizational Change
Project / Company: Inbound connects recruiters with university student organizations.
Skylar Deeter, SESP ’24
Skylar is a participant in The Garage’s Residency program, working as the Marketing Director of Cue the Curves. Additionally, she worked on Cue the Curves through the summer as a member of the Techstars Chicago Accelerator.

Major: Human Development in Context
Minor: Spanish
Project / Company: Cue the Curves is an online platform for plus-size women to find and discuss clothing brands.
Adrian Ayala-Perez, SESP ’26
Adrian is an active member of The Garage’s community, as both a participant in the Tinker program and a student aide that works closely with Garage staff.

Major: Education and Social Policy
SESP Students at The Garage
Tinker Program:
Abdel Hussien | Janie Xu | Aimee Resnick |
Caryn Tran | Khushbu Kshirsagar | Peri Green |
Abby Nudell | Jessica Sun | Kritphong Mongkhonvanit |
Adrian Ayala-Perez |
Residency Program:
Elizabeth Sacerdote | Anna Wittcoff | Jain Rohan |
Mikenzie Roberts | Zoe Lewis | Bryan Sanchez |
Skylar Deeter | Jack Ke |
Jumpstart Program:
Zoe Lewis | Mikenzie Roberts | Alexis Duran-Aguilera |
X-Factor Program:
Zoe Lewis |
The Garage x SESP News
Cue the Curves featured on The Garage’s Holiday Gift Guide
Squair One Team Spotlight: Featuring Zoe Lewis ’25
Lucas Philips, SESP ’19 featured on How I Got Here Podcast, Episode 2
Connor Regan, SESP ’16 featured on How I Got Here Podcast, Episode 1
Brewbike, founded by Lucas Philips, SESP ’19, raises $2M
Questions?
Email us at thegarage@northwestern.edu