| Tell us about your company: |
| Skala connects high school students with college students for personalized conversations and campus tours—offering authentic insights for students and flexible income for college guides. Available in-person or virtual, Skala supports students before and after admission by helping them explore schools, majors, and campus life through real, one-on-one connections. |
| What inspired you to start your business? |
| Skala was founded by siblings Shalin and Aris after experiencing how powerful peer-to-peer insight can be. When Aris was overwhelmed by the college search, a one-on-one tour with a student completely changed his perspective. That moment sparked the idea: what if every student had access to that kind of authentic connection? Skala makes that possible, helping high schoolers explore colleges with real insight, while giving college students a flexible way to earn. |
| What are your proudest achievements so far? |
| Building a fully functional, user-driven platform from scratch and growing to over 1,000 college guides across 70+ schools. |
| What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs: |
| Listen closely to your users since they’ll show you what really matters. Stay flexible and don’t get too attached to your first version of the product; the best ideas evolve. |
| Please share a memory or thought about your alma mater: |
| Michigan offers the best of both worlds: the resources of a large university with the close-knit, hands-on support of a small, dedicated program. Through opportunities like the Zell Entrepreneurs program, I’ve found the mentorship, community, and backing to grow both personally and entrepreneurially. |
Alumni Emporium 