From working behind the scenes at Horn Entrepreneurship to launching her own creative business, UD Class of 2020 alumna Allison Sanders has charted a bold and unconventional path. In this Q&A, she reflects on what it’s like to be a solopreneur, the lessons she’s carried from campus into her career, and what advice she’d give to students looking to launch something of their own.
Q: What are you doing now?
Allison Sanders: I'm the founder of Go UP, a creative content marketing studio. I'm based in Hoboken, just outside New York City, and my day-to-day includes everything from client status calls and video editing to social media posting and business development. I wear a lot of hats—content creator, marketer, designer, strategist—all wrapped into one.
Q: What inspired you to launch Go UP?
After graduation, I started out as a media planner, then transitioned to advertising sales. I was talking to clients every day and realized their pain points were things I could actually help with. I’ve always been a risk-taker, so I left the 9-to-5 sooner than most would, and that discomfort forced me to figure things out quickly. I’ve grown a lot in ways I don’t think I would have if I’d stayed in a traditional office.
Q: How do you balance building a business while managing everything else?
Time blocking is my secret weapon. It helps me create structure during chaotic weeks and protects time for rest. As a founder, it’s so easy to blur the lines between work and life, so I try to be really intentional—when it’s time to work, I lock in. When it’s time to unplug, I actually unplug.
Q: What’s been one of your proudest wins?
Any time I get a new client via word-of-mouth—it’s such a strong validation. It means my work is not only being seen but valued enough that someone is willing to recommend me.
Q: Were there any UD experiences that helped launch you?
Absolutely. My internship with the Horn Marketing team was huge. It showed me how photography, writing, editing, and creativity could all come together in one role. I also had an amazing mentor through the Lerner Executive Mentor Program—she had sold her own company and gave me real-world advice on how to pitch and plan.
And shoutout to Klondike Kate’s! Working there gave me experience with multitasking and customer service—skills I use every day.
Q: What advice do you have for current students who want to start something—even if they’re already busy?
Start now. Future you will be glad you did. Use your network—reach out to people on LinkedIn, set up shadowing opportunities or phone calls. Ask questions, take notes, and trust yourself. If you have the vision, you can figure out the path.
Q: What’s next for you or for Go UP?
Right now, I’m focused on new business while staying open to the right full-time opportunity. Long term, I want to write a book, speak on a panel, work internationally, and grow my digital community. It’s a season of transition, and I’m leaning into it.
Explore Allison’s work and follow her journey:
Portfolio
@letsgoupco (Business)
@allison2morrow (Creative/Food)
LinkedIn
About Horn Entrepreneurship
Horn Entrepreneurship serves as the creative engine for entrepreneurship education and advancement at the University of Delaware. Currently ranked among the best entrepreneurship programs in the US, Horn Entrepreneurship was built and is actively supported by successful entrepreneurs, empowering aspiring innovators as they pursue new ideas for a better world.
