A hard-to-beat opportunity presented itself and she took it, resulting in the creation of an award-winning Springfield boutique that focuses on contemporary, casual fashions.

Pena, who graduated in 2009 with a bachelor’s in fashion merchandising, bought an existing boutique on south Campbell Avenue in 2011 and renamed it Modern Society. In 2014, the retail store won the Downtown Springfield Association’s Downtown Business of the Year award.

Since then, Modern Society has expanded to a larger space in south Springfield.

Pena wasn’t planning to run her own business when she was a student — her goal was to be a buyer for an established fashion firm.

After graduation, she worked as an assistant women’s buyer with Bass Pro at its corporate offices. At that time, she was a customer of the boutique that became Modern Society. She became friends with the owner of that store, who needed to sell because she was moving.

Within a month of hearing that news, Pena became a boutique owner.

From degree to owner

“It happened really fast. It was just from me shopping here and getting to know her, and her knowing what my passion was.”

Her education prepared her for the quick change. As a marketing minor, she took advertising classes that continue to help her grow the business. The class that resonates the most with her, however, is entrepreneurship.

“It was basically starting a business from the ground up; it was very real-world. Once the business plan was put together, we actually had to take it to a bank.”

The bank then told the students whether or not they would be approved for a business loan if this were a real scenario.

“We had to put in every aspect you can think of, from finding a location down to ordering price tags.”

Now, she takes advantage of opportunities to give back to Missouri State — not just through monetary donations, but also in time and advice.

“I still keep in touch with (assistant professor) Jenifer Roberts. I felt like she was my professor and also my mentor. I speak to some of her classes, and last spring I was on a panel for prospective students who were thinking about the fashion program.”

Modern Society boutique was also planning to be a part of the University’s spring 2015 Association of Fashion and Design fashion show.

“Any way that I can, I still try to stay connected.”