Tristan Kurz ’25

Tristan is an Agricultural Economics major from Somerset, Texas, who has spent the last few months building his AGEC 425 project, Red Rock Fence Company, LLC. He chose this enterprise due to his passion and connections to the industry through his mother.

    Tristan's hobbies tend to involve fixing things and working with his hands. He plans to use his education to work for his family's business and one day run or own it.

    “To me, entrepreneurship means being able to sell yourself, your ambitions, and your goals in life to make other people believe in them as much as you do. I believe that to be a good entrepreneur, you need to have a good understanding of business and an even better understanding of people.“

    Growth through Leadership and Passion

    During his time working on the project, Tristan faced challenges and found ways to overcome them. Lack of experience in production and managing a crew both posed early problems. However, after having conversations with mentors to grasp the understanding on how a fencing business runs, Tristan was able to grow both his project and his ability to prepare for any business. Events such as the Mentoring Forum and the Etiquette Dinner helped Tristan build his project and his presentation skills. "As a freshman, I was nervous talking to professionals. Now, I can hold conversations with confidence," he says.

    Tristan learned about Dr. Rister's program through a former student he grew up with. Dr. Rister has known Tristan his whole life and has made a lasting impression. Tristan mentioned "I have learned valuable lessons about business through this program."

    To Tristan, entrepreneurship means being able to sell yourself, your ambitions, and your goals in life to make other people believe in them as much as you do. He believes that to be a good entrepreneur, you need to have a good understanding of business and an even better understanding of people.

    Influences and Aspirations


    One realization during his time in the Agribusiness program was that business is about more than just numbers. “If you rely only on accounting reports, you’re missing the bigger picture,” he says. Listening to the real-world experiences of business professionals taught him more than textbooks ever could.

    A key takeaway from program speakers was the importance of aligning your career with your passion. “I used to think you made money first and enjoyed hobbies later,” Tristan shares. “But now I realize that your career should be something you enjoy.”

    Tristan's time at A&M has shaped him to become more professional in his everyday life. To be able to understand the language of business and be taken seriously has been his main takeaway. "I have gained the ability to defend what I believe through the knowledge I have gained in my classes."

    Tristan plans to join his family’s automotive business after graduation, bringing with him the knowledge and skills gained from his time in the program. “I want to apply everything I’ve learned to help grow the business—and enjoy doing it.”