The Evolution From Student To Entrepreneur: Loyd Joseph
From the sun-soaked streets of Haiti to the bustling innovation hubs of Boston, Loyd Joseph’s journey was anything but ordinary. An undergraduate student at pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Project Management, Joseph grew up in what he describes as “privileged in a country where opportunity was rare.” As such, he always felt a deep responsibility to use his advantages for something meaningful. While many of his peers in Haiti never had the chance to pursue higher education, Joseph not only finished school but also made it to the United States.
He believes privilege is a call to action. “If those of us who get to see and live ‘better’ don’t go back, how does change ever happen?” he half-asked, half-proclaimed. That question became his motivation.
Two Cents and ADHD
Joseph’s interest in creating something that could have a lasting and sustainable impact on others began to take root during his co-op with the Food Project in Boston, where he helped teach young people how to grow food sustainably. It was there, amidst the rows of vegetation, that Joseph realized the power of practical skills and education, a framework he dreamed of bringing back to Haiti.
Yet, even as he worked, Joseph faced his own challenges. One week, he found himself spending $1,000 without even realizing it. He quickly discovered he wasn’t alone. Many young adults struggled to track their spending, leading to stress and financial uncertainty. Inspired, he launched “Two Cents,” a startup designed to give Gen Z and millennials real-time insights into their finances, empowering them to make smarter choices and live fuller lives.
Pursuing a degree in Project Management at Northeastern University, Joseph found that his studies gave him tools beyond what typical business majors learned. He wasn’t just dreaming up ideas; he was learning to set visions, plan, execute, and lead with empathy.
His entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. He had already worked on an app for students with ADHD, inspired by his own late diagnosis, a topic rarely discussed in Haiti. Collaborating with two other Northeastern students, Olga Almazova serving as CIO and Kairui Zhang as CMO, Joseph realized how project management skills uniquely prepared him to turn ideas into reality.
After four attempts at the Husky Startup Challenge pitch competition, Joseph finally made it to the top eight. His secret? This time, he decided to be himself. Authenticity, he discovered, was the key to success.
And so, Joseph stood on stage, ready to pitch his startup, not just for himself, but for every young person who dreamed of making a difference, no matter where they began.
That experience has inspired him and his fellow student co-founders to keep digging deep to realize their goals. This story is hopefully the first in a series that will track their progress and highlight the ups and downs of building a business from the ground up.
