Samford University alumna Eliza Bishop Weaver ’20 has always been drawn to entrepreneurship and creativity, but she never imagined where those interests would eventually lead.

In 2017, during her freshman year at Samford, Weaver created personalized stationery for her college roommate to take to camp that summer. What began as a creative project quickly grew into something more. With a small workspace in her Vail Hall dorm room, Weaver began taking orders and developing what would become Paper Eliza, a custom stationery and paper company.

As Paper Eliza continued to grow, Weaver began connecting with new customers and expanding her offerings. During her senior year, she joined the Samford Startup, a student-led business incubator that provides resources, mentorship and a supportive environment for students launching or growing their own businesses.

Through the program, Weaver gained more than business guidance. She met other entrepreneurs, built relationships with fellow business owners and learned from their experiences. She had opportunities to practice presenting and showcasing her brand, helping her become more comfortable sharing her business with others.

Chad Carson, former Brock School of Business dean and Brock Family Chair of Entrepreneurship, encouraged Weaver throughout the program, helping develop her ideas and navigate the challenges of business ownership. During her time with Samford Startup, Weaver also competed in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards Pitch Competition.

Presenting Paper Eliza at the national level became a turning point, helping Weaver gain self confidence while showcasing her work to a broader audience.

"It gave me the confidence to believe in myself and what I was building," Weaver said. "It was an opportunity to share my brand, talk about what made it unique and learn from other entrepreneurs who were also pursuing their ideas."

After graduating with degrees in finance and marketing, Weaver entered the corporate workforce while continuing to operate Paper Eliza on the side. For several years, she balanced two demanding schedules, waking up early to work on orders, staying up late to finish projects and even using her lunch breaks to keep the business moving.

Eventually, the demands of maintaining both careers led her to consider a significant change. After feeling called to pursue Paper Eliza full time, Weaver took a leap of faith and stepped away from corporate work to focus on growing the business. Looking back, she considers it one of the best decisions she has made for Paper Eliza.

"What started as something I worked on before and after my full-time job eventually became two full-time jobs," Weaver said. "I knew I needed to make a change if I wanted to give Paper Eliza the time and attention it deserved."

Now the business that started with personalized stationery orders has developed into a brand known for custom wedding stationery and distinctive wedding crests. Weaver brings a personal touch to each design, incorporating individualized illustrations, meaningful details and sometimes unique icons that reflect each couple's story. She has expanded into semi-custom artwork, making her designs accessible to a broader range of customers.

As the business grew, Weaver learned that entrepreneurship involves more than developing a product and finding customers. One of the biggest challenges, she says, is establishing a recognizable style that sets a business apart while also remembering that the business does not have to become one's entire identity.

For Weaver, the foundation built at Samford continues to influence how she approaches her work. Her experience with Samford Startup gave her the encouragement, connections and confidence to pursue an idea that began in a college dorm room and eventually became her full-time career.