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Aditi Gentsch is a third year student studying an individualized major in Consciousness-Based Business and Media.  She’s applying what she’s learning in Media courses to help her growing organic skincare business, Aditi Botanicals.

Born in Fairfield, she spent some time in San Diego, studying photography and graphic design, and also going to an aviation academy.  Reflecting on her return to Fairfield and enrollment at MIU, she said, “I’ve just been really, really happy since.”

Right now she is celebrating the 20 year anniversary of Aditi Botanicals, and is taking Media courses at MIU to “gather the tools to help me grow my business in the future.”

The course she’s taking now is Media Projects, which she says “lets you explore the creativity you have the desire to do,” resulting in a “mix of practical and very creative projects.”  And, since the course can be taken repeatedly, Aditi has had the chance to focus on different aspects of her business each time.  Now in her fourth Media Projects class, she is putting it all together into the finished project.

aditi-gentsch-photographyShe has been able to customize her education at MIU to learn the skills she needs for her unique business.  “Every day I’m applying it to my business directly,” she says.  When asked for specifics she gave quite an impressive list: she’s learned publishing skills, wrote a DIY spa day eBook, created a product-selector iPhone app for her products, learned marketing for social media in the course “The Power of Media Marketing,” created her first blog in the course “Blogging and Reflective Writing,” and wrote business plans and learned communication skills to help her give more effective presentations.  And right now she is creating a website to celebrate the 20 years of success she’s had with Aditi Botanicals.

She also notes how the structure of the block system has benefitted her.  “I’m able to pick courses that are immediately applicable, so I can start using what I learned immediately.  I really appreciate that.”

“This year I’ve been focusing more on media and writing and next year I’ll do more business courses,” she says.  She also has an interest in Sustainable Living, which will come into play for her senior project.

Reflecting on her experience thus far at MIU, she smiled and said, “I love it.  I really love being here.”

Aditi sells her products at AditiBotanicals.com, on Etsy, and at the annual holiday trade fair in Fairfield.  This December she will also be at the Fairfield Farmers Market.  She wants to continue expanding Aditi Botanicals, making a thriving and lively business to help make Fairfield a dynamic place to live.

For more information on courses in the Media and Communications department, see our course list.