From student to business owner: How Riipen helped Julia DeMola transform her career.

Julia DeMola’s career trajectory has been anything but conventional. With a BFA in acting and a passion for creative storytelling, Julia was drawn to the world of content creation and digital marketing. Little did she know that Riipen’s FuturePath program would become a major stepping stone in her journey from student to business owner.

‍“I started with a BFA in acting, then switched to teachers’ college. But halfway through my second degree, I discovered content creation and just went all in. By the time I finished teachers’ college, I had a full-time business,” says Julia.

The experience that launched her business.

Julia’s path to owning her own business began through her involvement in the Level Up program. In 2023, while looking for remote job opportunities, Julia was hired by a dance studio in the GTA as part of the program. She worked in marketing operations, helping the studio improve and scale its marketing efforts. This role helped Julia develop real-world skills that she took with her on her entrepreneurial journey.

‍“The Riipen program prepared me for my career,” says Julia. “It taught me how to work on creative campaigns and how to handle client communications—skills I use every day in my own marketing agency.”

Starting her own agency.

With her newfound confidence and skill set, Julia took the leap into entrepreneurship. She started Definitely Connected Corp., her marketing agency, focusing on offering creative digital marketing services to small Canadian businesses.

‍“I emailed 20-30 companies a day, pitching my services. I focused on small businesses that shared common ground with me—being in the same stage of growth. They could relate to my journey, and I found success in that,” Julia shares.

Overcoming creative barriers and finding inspiration.

One thing Julia learned as she grew her business was how to overcome creative barriers. “When I hit a block, I either take a walk to disconnect from technology or I use TikTok as a search engine. It's incredible how much you can learn from trending content, and it helps me understand what marketing strategies are working in real-time,” she says.

Her creativity also led to greater success with clients, as evidenced by a video she created for a jewelry brand that achieved a 2x return on ad spend. 

“When you have a good ad spend, it means they doubled their income of whatever they put into the ad. So, let’s say they spent $500 running an ad, 2x return on ad spend means would be $1k coming from that ad. So that’s something we’ve celebrated.”

The power of mentorship and FuturePath.

Julia’s journey didn’t stop with her own success. As she began to explore scaling her business, she returned to Riipen’s FuturePath program to help her grow. “I knew I needed help. My business partner, who’s like a mentor, suggested using Riipen. It was a great idea because I had such a positive experience with it as a student,” she says.

Julia posted for a content editor and writer role, specifically looking for someone skilled in scriptwriting and editing. She was overwhelmed by the number of applicants but remained focused on finding the right person with the right qualifications. Ultimately, she hired a student who met all her criteria and became invaluable to her team.

‍“In just one week, my student produced 10 fully strategized concepts for brands, closed a full project, and edited 3 videos. The content was delivered to the brand with no revisions,” Julia shares.

Advice for students and employers.

Julia encourages students to take control of their careers early on. “Don’t be afraid to take control of your destiny,” she advises. “Don’t wait for opportunities to find you. Start looking, and find ways to make it happen.”

For employers, Julia’s advice is equally valuable. “Be strategic about who you hire, and don’t settle for less than what you need,” she says. “Invest in finding the perfect employee. It’ll pay off.”

The takeaway: Empowering students and driving business growth.

Julia’s journey highlights the incredible potential of Riipen’s FuturePath program for both students and employers. By participating in FuturePath, students can gain real-world experience, build professional networks, and develop in-demand skills, all while helping organizations get work done efficiently.

For organizations like Julia’s, FuturePath provides an easy way to access skilled students who can contribute meaningfully to projects, while also helping them build a future workforce.

Ready to take control of your career or business?

Whether you're a student looking to build your career or an organization seeking talented students, FuturePath provides the tools and opportunities you need to succeed. Learn more about FuturePath and how it can help you take the next step in your journey.

👉 If you’re a student, complete Riipen’s Eligibility Form and learn more about FuturePath now. 

👉 If you’re an organization, book a meeting with our team to learn more today.