Class of 2026: Savannah Setzer applied the lessons of the classroom to build a business

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Savannah Setzer's academic and business interests combined in 2024 when she started a cleaning business.

Setzer's company, Mop & Bucket, serves families and small businesses across Central Virginia with a particular focus on clients that need deep cleaning and ones that are moving in or out of their homes.

"I knew I was good at cleaning, and I found it fun. Also, I have surrounded myself with entrepreneurs and people that have driven me to do more," Setzer said.

Opening a business isn't something she would have considered prior to her classes at Virginia Commonwealth University. Setzer graduates this week with a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a public relations concentration from the Richard T. Robertson School of Communication in the College of Humanities and Sciences.

"Every concept I've been taught is something I've had to apply immediately, and in the real world," said Setzer, who also credits her parents who "taught me the true meaning of hard work."

Her business is growing to the point that Setzer has added one employee and is about to hire an additional person. She has run Mop & Bucket without being the face of the business and has leaned on lessons from her VCU courses to do it.

"It meant relying on communication strategy instead of personality-driven marketing," she said. "I have redesigned the service structure, brand voice, onboarding and booking process using what I've learned."

She views communications as a vital element of her work.

"Opening a business takes a lot of persistence with communications so I'm really using the skills from the Robertson School to build a reputable social media presence that gets business," she said. "A lot goes into this, everything from color to the science behind it."

She is determined to make all the elements of her business look cohesive.

"I look at companies like Apple and they have that cohesiveness. Everything has a place where it belongs," she said.

Setzer, who lives in Richmond but grew up in New Kent, came to VCU because her proximity to campus allowed her to live at home and commute. Also, "I loved the vibe of VCU," she said.

Setzer said she particularly appreciated the words of encouragement and optimism she received from Bridget Camden, an associate professor in the Robertson School, as she navigated her academic and entrepreneurial journey.

Setzer has encountered challenges since the age of 5 when she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

"All I've learned through taking care of my blood sugars and health has directly positively impacted my business and school experience and made me better off," she said.

Setzer came to VCU with an eye toward working in the music industry, ideally managing musicians, and that is still her plan. She hopes to accomplish that goal while growing Mop & Bucket, continuing to use what VCU taught her and applying it in practice.

"It's been a crash course in running a company and finishing a degree at the same time," she said. "It's pushed me to learn PR at a much deeper level."