Empowering students to apply classroom instruction to real-world success is a focus in Trevecca’s Skinner School of Business, but business management major JB Potka is taking that opportunity to another level. As a full-time student and the owner of a growing custom rug upstart, Potka is juggling academics with entrepreneurship, all while working at his family’s business.
Potka grew up learning the rug business from his father, who owns International Oriental Rugs in Nashville. Today, at just 21, Potka manages daily operations, sales and even the store whenever his father is away. Family is what Potka describes as his main motivation. “My parents have instilled so much confidence in me,” Potka said. “Especially my dad. He demands excellence from me.” Potka also feels a responsibility to his mother, who sold her restaurant business to immigrate to America. “My mom—just seeing her give up on her dreams to believe in mine—that’s always going to be my ‘why.’”
Potka’s dedication recently paid off when he closed a $29,000 sale, the largest in the history of his father’s business. "That was huge for me. It was a big moment in my career," he said. Moments like that are what gave Potka the confidence to expand his pursuits.
“So many people were asking for custom rugs for their commercial businesses,” he said. “I thought, ‘How can I expand this?’ And that's when it hit me.”
Potka’s idea was to create an offshoot business of his own, taking the knowledge of the rug business he learned from his father and applying it to a wider market. “I did lots of research on the market, and found my own manufacturer and my own designer. The side business has really taken off.”
One key mentor Potka has found was actually his first customer for his entrepreneurial rug business, Patrick Neumiller, the owner of IronFit Nashville. “Patrick really believes in me. So for that I'm forever blessed and grateful. Those kinds of relationships really open up a lot of doors and connections. It’s been a blessing.”
Between serving as the lead salesman for his father’s business and managing his own business, Potka’s schedule would seem to be full. But on top of that, he is also a full-time undergraduate student at Trevecca.
Managing both school and business is no easy task, but Potka has learned how to stay on top of it all. “I just have that mentality that I have a family to feed. Nothing will stop me from reaching my goals,” he said. He fills his days with sales calls for both businesses, managing his father’s store, attending classes and even waking up early to knock on doors.
And Potka’s education isn’t just a formality; his professors and coursework at Trevecca have helped him grow as a professional.
Potka and his business have especially benefited from classes in international business and accounting. “I’m blessed with some great professors that have helped me,” Potka said. Those have included Dr. James Agee and Dr. Roy Philip, who have been willing to participate in conversations outside of class and give him advice. Another professor, Dr. Dawn Olson, actually participated in Potka’s business as a customer. “Dr. Olson bought a rug from me for her company, and she also gives me a lot of really good advice," he said.
Potka is a firm believer in betting on himself. “My end goal is to be my own boss full time,” he said. “I’m a big believer in placing bets on myself and my hard work. I think it will take me farther than anything else.”
As Potka prepares to graduate, he’s weighing his options–including an offer to move into another sales position with a six-figure salary–but in the long term he is committed to owning his own business. “I want to do everything. I want to have my own store that does the custom, commercial and the Orientals. I want to do it all,” he said.
Like many students, JB Potka dreams of great success. And he’s found a university that’s committed to equipping students like him to achieve those goals.
Looking for a custom rug? You can reach JB Potka at jbpotka34@gmail.com.