UC student focuses on education by becoming a business owner.

CINCINNATI – Being a full-time college student is tough, but one UC Bearcat is focusing not only on his studies, but also on his business.

Nick Nguyen is a finance major at the University of Cincinnati and spends most of his time crunching numbers for his business and classes.

“Education is a priority in our family,” Nguyen said, “I don’t want to go to college because I’ve already done what college will eventually help me do.

Nguyen opened his first store at The Sidewalk in July. Junior is an immigrant from Vietnam who says he is making a better life for himself and his parents.

Nguyen works in his shop, across the street. (Katie Kapusta/Spectrum News)

“I walk around with a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “Every day I have to make sure I have something to bring to the table. I deserve a better life.”

Three years after moving to the Queen City, he is living the dream as a student.

“Three years later, I made it happen,” Nguyen said, “so it’s a great time to look back.

Now, he’s made it happen, his own store, filled with the trendiest shoes.

“We’ve got Yeezys here, we’ve got SB Dunks following down, Dunk lows and more down Jordans, all the retro Jordans here,” he said.

At just 22 years old, Nguyen helps 6% of business owners under 35, according to the US Census. Earlier this summer, he started his business selling shoes from his trunk before calling this shop Over the Rhine home. And thanks to high sales, he knows he has something special.

It has many rare and trendy shoes from the sidewalk. (Katie Kapusta/Spectrum News)

“You can’t go to the locker room or the finish line to get these products,” he said. “You have to know someone or you have to be very lucky.”

While every item in this store is unique, Nguyen knows the trip takes the cake.

“I reflect a little bit on the journey and how lucky I am to be here today. Surreal is the right word.”