Larissa Hernandez ’23 has kept herself busy during her time at Texas A&M. She will be graduating in May with two degrees: one in Biomedical Science and one in Animal Science.  She also has earned a certificate in Biomedical research and is completing her certification in Equine Science, as well as a minor in Agribusiness Entrepreneurship.

Born and raised in Donna, Texas, Larissa knew she wanted to be a veterinarian since she was a child.  Growing up, she was surrounded by livestock and was an active member in her local FFA.  Thanks to her dad's love for cattle, she developed a special passion for large animals.  Through the Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, she will be able to pursue a career in medicine and helping others.

Larissa has spent the last nine months developing a business plan for a mixed animal practice.  She has it located in the Greater Houston area. Originally, she wanted the practice to be a mobile large animal clinic, which would allow her to work on livestock.  As she began to work the numbers, Larissa realized that she needed to incorporate a stationary clinic in order to be able to work on small animals. The idea for a mobile clinic came after she had to watch her dad put down the first cow he owned, after it had taken the vet three hours to come.  Her goal is to create an efficient way to help save animals.

“Seeing him put down the cow that started it all, it was hard… I didn't want that to keep happening.”

In the beginning stages of starting her business, Larissa sees herself taking on a more managerial role but eventually hopes to hire someone to deal with the financial side of her clinic.  Her end goal is to remain hands-on in the clinic, and she wants to remain involved in the veterinarian side. 

Her biggest takeaways from the program are learning how to be professional and setting herself up to succeed.  She says this year has taught her the importance of detail and first impressions.  Whether it be a strong handshake or where to correctly place her nametag, she says these details can be vital in a good first impression.  Additionally, Larissa feels she has a better understanding of the importance of keeping up with her workload and meeting her deadlines.  She now better understands the lesson Dr. Rister is trying to teach with each deadline because she understands that in the real world there are real consequences if you do not meet your deadlines.

Larissa’s entrepreneurial spirit does not stop with her clinic.  She hopes to eventually open two additional businesses: a commercial livestock operation and a horse boarding facility.  The goal of her livestock operation is to sell specifically to 4-H and FFA kids, which will allow her to give back to those who would not have had the opportunity to work with livestock.  She hopes this will bring more people into the livestock community, as she believes that the beef cattle industry is “the backbone of America.” She wishes to also run a boarding facility for horses to allow her future family to grow up around horses, as she has a personal love for them that she wants to share.  

After graduation in May, Larissa plans to take a gap year to work in a vet clinic and apply to vet schools.  She plans to start this business after vet school. She feels confident in her future knowing that no matter what happens next, she has the business knowledge and managerial skills she learned in Dr. Rister’s Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program on which she can fall back on. Larissa is meeting with business coach Chris Westfall this week and next to help prepare her to compete in the upcoming Preliminary Business pitch which will be held at the end of April.

“Regardless of whatever happens in my life, the knowledge I gained through the minor will probably be what I use the most.”