Alumni Entrepreneurs Share Insights, Experiences With Darden Audiences

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business Black Business Student Association, Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club, and Batten Institute hosted a panel on Wednesday to celebrate diversity in business, highlighting challenges, successes and resilience through the insights of three Black business owners who have MBAs from the School.

Part of ongoing Black History Month celebrations and commemorations, the event followed a First Coffee gathering earlier in the week, where students, faculty and staff heard insightful stories from Black entrepreneurs, learned about Batten Institute resources, and participated in a raffle featuring products from Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters, Haiama Beauty and others.

Black Business Student Association (BBSA) president Brianna Huff speaking at First Coffee (photo by Caroline Mackey).

The Diversity in Business panel was moderated by Peju Sonusi, and featured Darden alumni Darrell Pacheco (Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters), Beza Bisrat (Ethiopian Delights), and Matthew Boyd (Boyd Cru Wines), who shared their personal entrepreneurial journeys.

From Vision to Reality

Boyd described how he and his wife spent 15 years preparing for their entry into the wine industry, gaining knowledge from global winemaking regions. “Planning, research and understanding the industry was key to making this a reality,” he said.

Bisrat, inspired by her family’s entrepreneurial background, founded Ethiopian Delights to bring accessible, authentic Ethiopian cuisine to a broader audience. “It’s about finding your niche and delivering a great product that resonates with people,” she explained.

Pacheco, leveraging his investment background, took the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) route, acquiring Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters. “I wanted control over my financial future,” he said. “Scaling and improving operations is a daily challenge.”

Navigating Barriers

The panelists also addressed industry-specific hurdles.

Boyd noted the high costs of entering the wine business, requiring careful financial strategy.

Bisrat emphasized the difficulty of maintaining quality in food production, especially with imported ingredients.

Pacheco stressed the importance of building a business that doesn’t rely solely on the founder, saying, “A business that depends solely on you is not scalable.”

Beyond personal challenges, the discussion also addressed systemic barriers Black entrepreneurs face, such as underrepresentation and limited access to capital.

“Look at the numbers — how many Black CEOs are in the Fortune 500?” Pacheco pointed out.

Boyd underscored the need for preparation, urging aspiring entrepreneurs to “do your homework, build networks and make informed decisions.”

Concluding Advice

As the conversation concluded, the panelists shared final advice.

Pacheco encouraged students to focus on skill-building, emphasizing corporate experience could be a steppingstone.

Bisrat highlighted the importance of pacing growth strategically, while Boyd reminded the audience to define long-term goals early.

“I think life is all about experiences and every experience has prepared me more and more for where I’m at today,” he said.