Hull College of Business students start nonprofit

What started as a college project ended with two James M. Hull College of Business students winning the undergraduate division in the INNOVATE 2026 competition and starting a nonprofit with their item.

Senior Raiyna Bearden and Emily Nicholson, a 2026 Hull graduate, wanted to create a hygiene product that benefited students, especially after learning about hygiene poverty. 

“We wanted to create something unique, affordable, and healthy for your skin,” Bearden said. “That’s when we came up with our doughnut (or halo) shaped design. We found ingredients that were beneficial for skin diseases such as eczema, and we found a way to make a bar of soap for less than a dollar.” 

“The idea originally started as a school project, but quickly our team realized the impact we could make,” Nicholson said. “Our soap is designed to be safe, affordable, and uniquely shaped to enhance the bathing experience.” 

After encouragement from their professor, Roger Duke, MS, they took the idea to the INNOVATE competition to get feedback on the product. To their surprise, they ended up winning.

“While sitting and watching the competition I thought we didn’t stand a chance, and was just grateful for the opportunity,” Bearden said. “There were so many wonderful ideas. I did not think soap could actually take it all the way. But clearly, hygiene poverty is a true issue and others in the community want to see a difference happen.” 

“The AU Innovate competition is a wonderful opportunity for students to pursue an idea and turn it into an opportunity,” Duke said. “That is my role. I am more an investor than a mentor. I remove all barriers that might impact the team. Winning is important, but more important is believing in your idea. Raiyna and Emily not only won but believed in their idea and its purpose to reduce hygiene poverty.” 

After the success at the INNOVATE competition, Bearden, Nicholson and Duke became involved in starting a nonprofit for the product, Haloria. Nicholson said the idea came after connecting with the Augusta Training Shop and Project Refresh, a mobile shower charity in the CSRA.  

“The main purpose of Haloria soap is to help people feel the safety of bathing without the large out of pocket cost often associated with hygiene products,” Nicholson said. “Therefore, making the product a nonprofit just made the most sense with the impact we hope to make.” 

“They decided to start a nonprofit named Haloria and now my role is to support its startup in any way,” Duke said. “I am currently assisting them in setting up the business by working with the state and completing the nonprofit application. I am also working with them by finalizing the soap recipes and manufacturing process at the Augusta Training Shop.” 

This process has taught Bearden how much work goes into running a nonprofit. 

“You run solely off of funding to keep your business running,” Bearden said. “Grants are something that I learned about and have actually applied for. You and numerous other nonprofits apply and it’s a waiting game to see if you are rewarded the grant.” 

For Nicholson, who oversees marketing and is working on the website and social media page, the main lesson she has learned is that patience is key as they work to get those platforms up and running. 

Bearden also learned how important nonprofits are to the community.  

“They help the community but need funding and community outreach to keep going,” Bearden said. “It’s crucial. I would not change a single thing about my journey honestly, because without every step I’ve taken, I would not be where I am today.” 

While they don’t have their own location at the moment, they were able to work with the Augusta Training Shop to set up a space there to create the product. There is currently no set cost for the product. If anyone is interested in getting the soap, they can contact at thehaloriainitiative@gmail.com.

“Haloria is currently available to those in need, just reach out to our email and ask,” Bearden said.