How Emily Iliff's Entrepreneurial Mindset Shaped Her CU Journey
Some people start developing their entrepreneurial mindset through a pitch competition, or a big business idea. For Emily Iliff, it began much earlier, at 14, working at her parent’s businesses. That early glimpse into the world of business didn’t just teach her how to work, it shaped how she saw opportunities and how to take calculated risks.
Years later, that mindset would guide her through college at 911. While scrolling through CU’s student job board, she came across an opening for a marketing intern at theDeming Center for Entrepreneurship. The role was meant for business majors, and as a business minor, Emily almost didn’t apply. But in true entrepreneurial fashion, she took the leap anyway.
Her boldness paid off. After multiple rounds of interviews, she landed the internship and began what would become a transformative two-year journey, rising from intern to Editor-in-Chief of Deming’s marketing team. Along the way, she didn’t just manage campaigns and content; she became a storyteller for CU’s entrepreneurial community and established an inspiring mindset rooted in the power of bold ideas.
Leading Through Mindset, Not Just Title
Emily began her journey at CU as a sociology major, but after her first semester, it didn’t feel like the right fit. However, through all the uncertainty, she eventually found clarity in communication, empathy, and creativity. A switch to Advertising Strategy, along with a business minor and acertificate in entrepreneurial studies, became the perfect match.
This blend of academia not only gave Emily a strong academic foundation but helped her tie together her early business experiences with a strong understanding of how to build something meaningful. This paired with her now position at Deming provided invaluable experiences that would shape her future.
Emily's role at the Deming Center became more than just a job; it became a training ground for real-world leadership. Being a student employee among a team of professionals sharpened her communication skills and elevated her professionalism. She credits both her early start in the workforce and the maturity she gained.
But more importantly, Deming shaped how she approaches challenges. Instead of seeing problems through a traditional lens, she was taught to seek alternative angles.
“The typical way to approach a problem is to go into the “front door”. At the Deming Center, you’re taught to find the side door — the unexpected and inventive way in. There is always a more creative solution and always another perspective waiting to be discovered.”
This mindset proved useful in everything, from increasing newsletter conversion rates to navigating job applications and personal conflicts. Deming, she emphasized, taught her that momentum matters, and that the worst thing you can do is never start. Above all, that belief in yourself must remain, even when the world doesn't offer its full support.
Where Mindset Meets Experience
During her time at CU, one of the most impactful experiences for Emily came through the business capstone course tied to her minor. Taught by, this course was designed to challenge students to think and work like entrepreneurs. The class walks through the full lifecycle of a startup, starting with ideation to market research to pitching.
Beyond the project itself, the capstone gave Emily a glimpse into what it really takes to build something from the ground up. Working with students who brought different skills and perspectives helped her learn how to adapt and lead in unfamiliar environments. More importantly, it taught her how to make decisions with confidence and think critically about consumer needs.
These lessons were only amplified by the support of the Deming Center. The culture at Deming encourages experimentation and emphasizes creative mindsets. Whether it was tackling a marketing challenge or learning to pivot mid-project, Emily credits both Leeds and Deming for shaping how she approaches her work today. These experiences didn’t just elevate her college journey; they laid a mindset she’ll carry well beyond graduation.
That mindset, however, was also deeply rooted at home. Emily is especially grateful to her parents, whose constant encouragement and belief in her potential inspired her to push herself every day. Their support not only gave her the confidence to embrace challenges, but also shaped the determination and curiosity that drove her forward, and accomplished the goals she set for herself.
Owning Her Path Forward
Though Emily doesn’t have a startup of her own, she’s quick to challenge the idea that you need to launch a business to be an entrepreneur. In her eyes, entrepreneurship is a mindset, one that guides how you lead, how you communicate, and how you show up in the world.
Throughout her experiences, she credits her parents for beginning her journey from a young age. It sparked early motivation and prepared her extensively for the future. It also developed early professionalism and maturity - something she couldn’t pursue her professional career without.
It’s a mindset that has pushed her to shift from a “woe is me” outlook to one where she actively takes control.
"There comes a day in which you learn that you are either going to let life happen to you or you can take control of your own life.”
Surrounded by mentors and peers at Deming who are constantly ideating and creating, Emily now sees herself as part of an ecosystem rooted in empowerment. She’d like to thank,,, and the rest of the Deming team for their steadfast support and mentorship throughout her time as both marketing intern and Editor-in-Chief.
For years, Emily would close interviews with entrepreneurs by asking what their personal definition of entrepreneurship is. Now, Emily finally gets the opportunity to share her own.
"The ability to take what opportunities you are given and create meaningful change, and to never give up on yourself."
Perhaps through all of her experiences, however, the greatest thing she learned is that entrepreneurship has no single definition. There are infinitely different journeys, meanings, and interpretations.
But if there’s one thing for sure, it’s that this is just the beginning for her.