Kev Addison
Indiana University, Kelley School of Business
“Imagine a young child’s intense curiosity mixed with the energy of a twenty-something year old. That’s me!”
Fun fact about yourself: I am an archer.
Hometown: Gary, Indiana
High School: Thea Bowman Leadership Academy
Major: Marketing
Minor: Fashion Design
Favorite Business Course: L201 – Legal Environment of Business
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
Awards & Honors
- NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship Top Recipient
- Fashion Scholarship Fund “Virgil Abloh” Post – Modern 2023 & 2024 Scholar Recipient
- Fashion Scholarship Fund x PVH Forward Fashion 2023 Scholar Recipient
- Fashion Scholarship Fund x Eric Emanuel Fashion 2024 Scholar Recipient
Involvement & Leadership Roles
- Mu Beta Lambda Business Fraternity Inc. – Co-Intake Chairman
- Mu Beta Lambda Business Fraternity Inc. – Marketing Committee Member
- Kelley School of Business, Kelley Mentor
- Retail Studies Organization – General Member
Where have you interned during your college career? Ralph Lauren, Men’s Concept Design Intern, New York City, New York
Where will you be working after graduation? Ralph Lauren, Men’s Concept Designer
Who is your favorite business professor? One of my favorite business professors would have to be my business law professor, Tim Lemper. Professor Lemper’s witty teaching style, paired with his incredible passion and knowledge of business law, can add fuel to any student. This then turns into motivation and an indirect passion to not just learn business law but to somehow incorporate it into our decision- making as business students.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Understanding the underlying and concepts of business is vital for any student looking to pursue a business-related career regardless of industry. However, for you to truly apply these concepts, it is not just enough to study it. You must go out, get your hands dirty and utilize the skills that you have been taught in order to help simplify, amplify, and innovate our world.
Business has allowed me to think from both from a macro and micro standpoint. Studying at the Kelley School of Business has provided me real-world opportunities and unique challenges that the business world faces. It provides analytical, creative, sustainability and ethical-based solutions that helps promote the advancement of businesses, employees, and communities. I am elated that I now have the opportunity to take these lessons I have been taught and use them in the corporate world. In the process, I’ll become that innovative and positive change agent within the industry I operate in.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? I am not at liberty to give advice to anyone. However, I will simply state what I have said to myself throughout my time here at Indiana University: “Let your passion and your why fuel you. Question everything. Study everything. Be able to extend your mindset beyond your initial viewpoints. Be open to change. Whether that be a change in a system or a change in a major, going from finance to operations or business analytics, embrace it. Work hard and be excellent.”
Excellence shows itself. Everyone wants to be around excellence. As consumers, we only want to purchase the best products. The leading firms in various industries are leading because they pursue the art of excellence in their products, marketing, and overall culture. Embrace the concept of relentless excellence.
What has surprised you most about majoring in business? Business is relationship-focused. At its core, business focuses on serving a need to a particular customer segment in hopes of creating simplicity or an ease in their lives. I have been most surprised about how often we, as businesspeople, may get away from such the concept of simplicity and making life easier for our customers. We focus with great intent to innovate and advance the world so much that we forget the simplicity of being in service to the customers who have been there since the first day. A great product paired with hyper-personalized communication, simplicity, innovation, and advancement will always yield positive results for any business.
What is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? While there is nothing necessarily I would do different in business school, I do wish I would have worked with startups or worked on my own business during the periods in which I felt I was learning the most. I wish I would have used my time more efficiently. There is no better time to gain the experience and practice what you are being taught in the classrooms than in college. You have the chance to make mistakes gracefully and apply the concepts from the classroom into the real world while your occupation title is still a student.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of keeping my curiosity alive. This personal achievement of mine has led to opportunities and unique scenarios in which I am able to help build my professional toolkit whether that is in business, fashion, or any creative project.
Which classmate do you most admire? One classmate who I admire is Finance & Business Analytics major, Henry Suah.
Suah’s commitment and passion about the world of finance and business motivates me to learn more about the strategies and innovative concepts within the marketing world. Working with Suah has motivated me to become an overall better colleague and business professional. I admire his work ethic and high level of engagement with the student body at Indiana University.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? I can’t possibly thank one person for my successes throughout the past four years. There are too many people who have poured their love into me and have nurtured and developed me professionally, academically, and personally. I am grateful to God for introducing me to everyone who has served as an educator, motivator, coach, and a constant source of inspiration. From my family and friends to professors and colleagues, I share quite a considerable portion of my successes with all of them and I only hope I am able to showcase the same level of nurturement and support to those who I can be of service to.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
1) Create a profitable business that seeks to promote the advancement of individuals and of us as a holistic society. Empower communities and employees through education, monetary benefits, outreach, and engagement.
2) Create a foundation or scholarship program that aims to represent underrepresented communities who have an interest in business, retail, or the creative space (e.g. fashion, art, literature, music, etc.) during their undergraduate years and early careers.
What made Kev such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?
“Kev is an invaluable addition to the class of 2024. He explores the intersection of business, innovation, fashion, and art with exceptional creativity. He brings a fresh perspective to the Kelley community and serves as a thought leader who embraces artistic expression.”
Tia Trueblood
Senior Director, Undergraduate Program
DON’T MISS: 100 BEST & BRIGHTEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2024
