Headshot of Joshua Marsh

Joshua Marsh '25

Joshua Marsh ’25 is from Bryan, TX. He has spent his college years preparing to lead his family’s trailer business one day through hands-on experience and becoming a “Survivor” of the Rister ’74 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program

    Roots in Bryan, Texas

    Marsh’s family owns and operates J.M. Trailers & Portable Buildings LLC. The business was started by his grandfather and father in North Bryan off Highway 6, and it has been part of Joshua’s life for as long as he can remember. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family gave him a first-hand look at the benefits and responsibilities of business ownership. He saw how much his father enjoyed his work and how his grounded approach to business helped create freedom and opportunity for their family. These early experiences shaped Joshua’s goals and values.

    An Early Start in the Family Business

    As a college student at Texas A&M University, Joshua pursued a degree in Agricultural Economics with a focus on rural entrepreneurship and a minor in agrifood sales. While in school, he worked as a salesman for his family’s business and helped manage the sales department. That role gave him more than just a job; it helped reinforce his goal of one day taking over the business and continuing the family legacy.

    Joining the Rister ’74 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program

    Joshua’s desire to be prepared for his future in the family business is what led him to join the Rister ’74 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program. Through the program, he took a closer look at the trailer side of J.M. Trailers & Portable Buildings, focusing on both retail sales and maintenance. His project challenged him to analyze what it would take to start up that segment of the business. This exercise gave him valuable insight into what makes the business work and how he might improve or expand it in the future.

    Learning Moments and Guest Speakers

    Throughout the semester, Joshua had the chance to hear from several guest speakers who made a lasting impact. Rachel Cutrer’s Prof-for-a-Day presentation stood out as especially helpful, offering useful strategies for branding and marketing a business, areas Joshua plans to focus on as he steps into more leadership with the family business. Another memorable speaker was Randi Mays-Knapp, who reframed etiquette in a way that resonated with Joshua. She described manners as a choice to show respect, not a set of rigid rules, a perspective that made professional behavior feel more authentic and meaningful.

    Joshua also worked with Chris Westfall, a business pitch coach with Westfall and Associates, LLC, to sharpen his business pitch. It was his first real exposure to the world of pitching, and it sparked an interest in how effectively presenting ideas can open doors. The experience gave him a new tool in his entrepreneurial toolbox and helped build his confidence as a communicator.

    Challenges and Takeaways

    The program was not without its challenges. Joshua found time management to be a key hurdle, specifically when it came to balancing coursework with his responsibilities in the family business. Designing marketing strategies for his project was another area that stretched his skills. But through those challenges, he learned the importance of starting assignments early and resisting the urge to procrastinate.

    He also came to appreciate something his dad has always believed in: the value of word-of-mouth advertising. A well-run business naturally attracts loyal customers, and that reputation becomes a form of marketing. It is a principle that Joshua saw in action growing up and hopes to carry forward into the next chapter of the business.

    Looking Ahead

    After graduation in May, Joshua plans to continue working with his dad at J.M. Trailers & Portable Buildings, with the long-term goal of eventually taking the lead. His time at Texas A&M, and specifically in the Rister ’74 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, has helped him grow not only as a future business owner but also as a person.

    Joshua reflects on how he used to be more introverted, often holding back in social and professional settings. Through his college experience, he found the confidence to step outside of his shell. Being part of a program that emphasized communication, collaboration, and practical business skills gave him the push he needed to be more outgoing and approachable, qualities that will serve him well in business and in life.