Julia Frost began training for life in the business world while she was still a student at Suffolk University.

As president of Women In Business, a Sawyer Business School student-run organization, Frost had the chance to inspire women to achieve their goals by providing networking opportunities both on campus and in the community.

Her duties included reaching out to students, faculty, staff, alumni, local business professionals and area residents. She connected them with organizations such as Women for Women International, which offers emotional support, job skills training, leadership education, and access to business markets to women from war-torn regions trying to rise from poverty and rebuild their lives.

Building skills and finding passion

Frost, who earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2008 with a Management major, gained confidence by leading Women in Business, and she says that experience and the efforts of several faculty members set the stage for her career.

“Having personable faculty who were experienced in their fields and who were willing to share their experiences and resources with me was invaluable,” she says. “They also encouraged me to find my passion and incorporate it into my professional career.”

A growing company

Fast forward to 2012. Frost is a partner and the business manager of CHIVE, a boutique event design and catering company in Beverly that produces zero-waste events throughout New England.

Working closely with local farmers, artisan purveyors, and other small businesses, CHIVE has doubled both the number of events staged and revenue annually since it was founded four years ago.

“We are proud to have, in a relatively short time, created a sustainable model for a profitable business,” she says.

Making connections

Frost says she has created her dream job. She gets to meet new people daily at food industry events and enjoys supporting non-profit, educational and environmental organizations through fundraising dinners and celebrations.

“I love gathering people around food and drink and connecting them to one another by sharing resources,” she says. “It’s great to see relationships grow through sincere connections.”

Frost has come a long way since she entered the Sawyer Business School, yet she is always looking for ways to better herself.

“I’m eager to keep learning and improving my business skills,” she says. “The bottom line is finding the fun in figuring out the best way to make things work efficiently and sustainably.”

Frost shared her story with other young alumni who were recognized for their career accomplishments at a “10 Under 10” reception in April. All 10 of the alumni honored earned their Suffolk University degrees within the past decade.