By Hazel Denother

Sydney Hembrough uses her Lindenwood classroom experience to help make a name for herself in the world of social media and content creation. Hembrough is an online student studying digital marketing with an emphasis in social media and digital content strategy, and she works on the web team for the Linden Gold. In January, she launched an apparel and accessories business called Lightheart and Co.

Hembrough is a master of all things digital content. With an impressive 13.98k Instagram followers and 18.6k YouTube followers, the Lindenwood junior is making waves in the content creation industry. She also works as a freelance social media manager, consultant, and brand ambassador. On the side, she produces a coming-of-age podcast, “Adulting-ish,” with her best friend Grayce. Hembrough has a passion for storytelling and for sharing her life, travels, and academic journey on the web. She states, “I love making people happy and sharing my story with others. I really enjoy creating digital content because it gives me a chance to connect with others and make a difference in their lives.”

Lightheart and Co. emerged from her mission to be a positive force online: “[The company] reflects everything I talk about on social media. In everything I do, I try to be a light to those around me.” Thus, all of her clothing sports uplifting and inspirational messages. To produce Lightheart & Co. merchandise, Hembrough collaborates with a small business in her hometown called Open House Print Shop. She actively participates in the entire production process, from the original product design to shipping out apparel. For Hembrough, the project has been a unique and exciting hands-on learning experience.

So far, the business has been a great success. Lightheart & Co. started with two classic apparel styles, and Hembrough plans to expand and diversify her product range in the near future. Her business operates on a preorder basis, and each item sold is limited-edition. She explains, “I hope to have my second launch in a couple of weeks, maybe with some accessories to offer! People can follow our social media to stay updated on upcoming products. In the future, I hope to be able to do pop-up shows and expand my company internationally. I want it to be like a little slice of my hometown that has given me so much.”

Hembrough’s success has blossomed from her hard work and remarkable creativity. She remarks, “Life is really what you make of it. You can either choose to let your location and circumstances hold you down, or you can romanticize your daily life and turn it into a story.” She gleans inspiration for her brand from her supportive hometown community, and she credits her Lindenwood education for helping her turn her dreams into reality: “Lindenwood has been such an integral part of this whole process, and I took what I learned in my personal branding class to create Lightheart and Co. cohesively. The education I have received here is unlike any other—the classes I am taking are so spot-on with what I hope to do in my future.”

The young entrepreneur feels lucky to be doing what she loves. Through her achievements, Hembrough displays a diverse range of talents and a massive amount of potential. With her skillset, charisma, and kindness, she faces a world of opportunity and a future full of success. Lindenwood can’t wait to see what she will do next!