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Most business students spend their college years learning the fundamentals of how to develop a business plan, manage finances, create promotional strategies, and navigate the challenges of running a successful company. For Gabriel Ray ‘25, however, this wasn’t just coursework—it was preparation for the real world.

In January, Ray put those lessons into action, securing a small business loan and officially purchasing Darren’s Pizza Shack—all before walking across the stage for his upcoming graduation this May.

A Finance major at ��APP���� and a native of ��APP����, Ray has been working at Darren’s since 2020. Though buying the business wasn’t originally in his plans, the idea took shape over time. When the previous owner decided to sell, Ray reflected on everything he had learned—both in the classroom and through hands-on experience—and knew he was ready.

“I believe that everything I’ve learned, from my education to real-world experience, has prepared me for this,” Ray said. “I have what it takes to run this place.”

And with that confidence, he took the leap.

Being a student at D&E played a major role in making his dream a reality. The college’s close-knit, mentorship-driven environment gave Ray access to faculty who provided critical guidance throughout the process.

“You get a lot of help here,” Ray said. “It was easy to get one-on-one time with my professors, both during office hours and outside of them.”

Three faculty members in particular were instrumental in helping him navigate the transition to business ownership. Dr. Alex Sivvoloupos, Ray’s academic advisor, helped him structure his financial projections. Lisa Smith assisted in determining collateral for his loan, and Carol Carter’s Entrepreneurship class gave him the foundation to draft his business plan. In fact, Ray found himself writing two plans at once—one for class and one for his actual business.

Beyond the classroom, Carter also played a key role in connecting Ray with Woodlands Development and Lending, a regional organization that supports small businesses. As a board member, Carter helped advocate for Ray’s business idea, and the board was “very impressed by [Ray’s] tenacity and attention to detail.”

Running a business while being a full-time student hasn’t been easy. Ray regularly puts in 18- to 20-hour days, balancing the demands of managing 14 employees, completing 18 credits of coursework, and even handling renovations at the restaurant—hanging drywall and laying tile himself.

“You need a well-thought-out plan,” he said. “It all depends on how determined you are.

Don’t let a good idea go to waste. Something like this is very doable!”

That determination has already led to growth. Since taking over, Ray and his business partner, Nathan Channell—whom he met while working at Darren’s Pizza Shack in 2020—have introduced heart-shaped pizzas for Valentine’s Day and launched online ordering. Looking ahead, they envision even bigger changes, including transitioning Darren’s into a dine-in experience, potentially adding a bar in the back, and eventually opening a second location.

Ray’s business education extended beyond finance and management. Last semester, he took Screen Printing with Kevin “Woody” Woodcock, which led to creating custom t-shirts for Darren’s. Now, he’s working with Woodcock to bring student artwork into the restaurant, both inside and out, giving it a fresh, community-driven feel.

Surprisingly, the hardest part of the process wasn’t managing employees or making business decisions—it was the sheer amount of paperwork.

“Getting all the people together to get things notarized is near impossible,” Ray admitted.

Still, the effort has been worth it. What started as a college assignment quickly turned into a real-world success story. Ray credits the strong support system at D&E for helping him make the leap from student to business owner.

As graduation nears, he remains focused on growth, ensuring Darren’s continues living up to its motto: Where Taste Matters. The future looks bright with a new website on the way and more plans in the works. And who knows, maybe after graduation you’ll want to stop by Darren’s Pizza Shack for a meal. Ray’s advice? “BBQ Chicken pizza. Definitely my favorite.”

Darren’s Pizza Shack

📍 1313 Harrison Avenue, ��APP����, WV

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📞 304-636-1000

🔥 All D&E Students and Staff Get 10% Off on All Orders! 🔥