Ashtyn Vivion (Shrewsbury)

Cornerstone Genetics
Ashtyn Vivion (Shrewsbury)

Ashtyn Vivion (Shrewsbury)

Hometown: Alliance, Neb.
Major: Animal Science
Minor: Entrepreneurship
Graduation Date: May 2017

Cornerstone Genetics

What is your story?

I started with three head of registered Red Angus cows in 2013. Through working in Dave Lambe's classes I decided to grow and take on my dream head on. Within 4 weeks of my first entrepreneurship class, I had secured funding to purchase more cows. I now own 20 head of cows and run them with my family's existing cow calf operation. Being in the Sandhills, I know the struggles we have run into with bulls not performing like they could because of our challenging environment. I'm focusing on raising bulls that meet the needs of our production environment both genetically and phenotypically. I will sell my first set of progeny next spring!

What is your business?

Cornerstone Genetics- A registered Red Angus seedstock operation focused on developing premium genetics that are built to fit the challenging Nebraska Sandhills environment. I own 20 head of registered cows and look forward to continuing to grow! On Facebook: @cornerstonegenetics

Who is your entrepreneurial inspiration OR biggest hero?

My biggest inspiration has been my great grandfather; he is who really helped me develop my passion for the beef industry. Some of my favorite childhood memories were spending time with him out on our family's ranch. He had a positive, willing to try anything attitude that was just contagious. I miss him a ton, but it's exciting to get to carry on his legacy in the beef industry.

What advice would you give to a student starting their entrepreneurial journey?

Get started. It's easy to dream up big ideas that will work out perfectly in your head, and make excuses of why you can't start right now, but you can't be at the top until you take the first step. It's scary and it's stressful but it's worth it, get after it.

Ashtyn Vivion (Shrewsbury)
Ashtyn Vivion (Shrewsbury)
Ashtyn Vivion (Shrewsbury)