Zero Equals One: Creating A Business From Nothing | Riley Csernica | TEDxCharleston

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Published 2015-05-26

Riley Csernica makes entrepreneurship a simple equation, especially for young adults. The 24-year-old biomedical engineer explains how she co-founded a medical brace device company to create a job she would love. Through her own experience, shared with candor and humor, Csernica demonstrates how her sense of accomplishment and what she has learned along the way far exceed anything she would have gotten from an entry-level job out of college.

In just a few short years, Riley Csernica earned three degrees and started a company with her Clemson classmate Chelsea Ex-Lubsekie. With her Mom's blessing, an MBA, plus two degrees in biomedical engineering, Csernica became an inventor and entrepreneur. Taking the design from a class project, Csernica and her partner worked with athletic trainers, orthopedic surgeons and patients to advance the shoulder brace device, developing an effective and revolutionary design. When Csernica isn't developing future designs, she is involved with local community groups to support youth entrepreneurship. tarianorthotics.com

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

All Comments (21)

@therawhrexperience 4 years ago

"and we'll be together forever." - brilliant sales pitch
@musicbeats6730 1 year ago

I am crying. I am literally in the same position. no money no nothing. I even didn't have a bank account. but I want to start a business and I will not give up I needed this. 0 can be equal to 1 because what he has is the determination to do anything.
@teejaykleinuno 3 years ago

This resonated with me well. I went back to college in 2017 to complete a degree, I am now 39 years of age and basically starting with zero in my field of study. Each day, my faith changes and I'm optimistic. The road may be bumpy but I will definitely give it a try and each time theres a No, I will continue to wait for a Yes.
@yuliu4740 2 years ago

Amazing! She's so energetic and I can see the flashes in her eyes when she talks about the ideas! Really like it!
@Markieskates 4 years ago

Riley shows how enthusiasm, heart, education, and intelligence can truly create something valuable. It would have been so tragic to crush that enthusiasm with an entry level boring job!
@hanna.nguyen 4 years ago

Have to literally applause for this girl at the end of her talk!! Bravo Riley!!
@blackstyle28 5 years ago

It can be so hard to actually go out into the world and talk to random people about your wonderful idea, but Riley Csernica has inspired me to do something uncomfortable which I think will make the changes I need to grow. Thank you Riley and thank you TEDx Talks
@alexenriquez1061 4 years ago

Maaaaaaan this is exacly how I feel at the moment, time to move back to my parents house I guess hahaha
@shashank664 5 years ago

This is the piece of inspiration I was looking for, those words were magical
@tadiwoskebede3798 1 year ago

Thank you Riley for your idea! It has been 7 years since the video was uploaded but it still resonated with me. Explore your idea, go out and make connections and finally get to work. Just start with the one idea you have even if that is the only thing you have! That is what I got~~
@NathanAponte 4 years ago

That was so beautiful Riley. Very inspirational. I need to hear that. Thanks
@Hiprich 4 years ago

What a beautiful soul. Listening to her is so calming and assuring .
@abdullahrafiq3530 5 years ago

I have built 2 business out of 4th semester class project Alhamdulillah! 1 was the product i developed and other of the skill i used to develop that product! next semester i met my teacher and said i have made my first 6 figure earning and i got appreciation AlHamDulilah
@juanvillalba539 1 year ago

That's very similar to my case. I have been studying in the last 4 years to become an English teacher. I deeply knew that it was not my field... I like more working outside like in farms and in the countryside. Lockdown made me go home and then I realized that it was time to made a decision. To drop out or to continue, that was my dilemma. I opted to drop out and start from scratch working with cattle and learning everything about the dairy industry. So far, I enjoy this new outlook on life, it's way harder and demands more commitment but in the long term, it feels like all the efforts made will make sense. I'm 22 years old feeling sometimes confused whether to continue or not but I made my decision and I'm going all for it, I do love this life in the country, I can't imagine myself somewhere else... Good luck to all those brave people that made the decision to work for their passion!
@oscarandrescastilloospina428 6 years ago

i loved your company story , you're such an inspiration , I wish I had someone to support me as you had ,you're climbing higher and higher , good luck , you already have it though
@SlavaFrolov 3 years ago

Riley, you are awesome! A single message to all entrepreneurs - JUST DO IT! :)
@animadoarts5123 5 years ago

She told more of her story then tips..... But important is that a story like this exists and next could be ours
@ayoubissa5701 4 years ago

I needed this thank u , its a motivation to never give up and always try hard, u must thinking and having faith that you will get it ..
@elnrmay3377 4 years ago

This is the most inspiring .. from zero to one. Im gonna try my best
@beloveddreamersllc6209 3 years ago

This is a great video I started my own Business during the lockdown and it is going well. My advice to anyone, JUST BEGIN!