Spencer Sutlive

Financial Planning, Housing and Consumer Economics

Small business owner and entrepreneur drawn to practical aspects of financial planning. Sutlive received several awards for entrepreneurship during his time as a student.

Major

Financial Planning

Hometown

Peachtree Corners, Ga.

Activities/Honors

CEO Rugged Road Outdoors (Gear & Apparel Business), Terry College of Business Entrepreneurship Achievement Award 2020, finalist in Nationwide Greatest Brands, presented business at event hosted by Consensus Advisors in the New York Times building on Times Square, finalist in UGA’s next Top Entrepreneur, awarded UGA’s Kickstart grant, participant in VITA tax preparation program

Why I chose my major

I always wanted to pursue a major in entrepreneurship, but UGA does not offer that. While I could have gone the Terry route and pursued a marketing or business management degree, financial planning seemed to be more useful. As I am growing my own business, I already spend countless hours studying marketing and miscellaneous ways to improve my business, but I rarely spend time on my own researching financial planning concepts. Financial planning is something that everyone should consider taking. Implementing the strategies learned in this major can greatly impact one’s life.

What I like most about FACS

From my very first class at FACS, I started to build deeper relationships with my professors. The classes were smaller and the professors really seemed to care about my success both at UGA and beyond. Almost all of the teachers in the financial planning major still work as financial planners outside of the classroom. It is really amazing to have teachers who bring real-world examples to the classroom.

Post-graduation plans

I plan to continue to grow Rugged Road Outdoors. If all goes well, I hope to hire a few strategic employees next year.