Cameron Theyard was only 14 when he filmed his first wedding.
By 18, he had a production studio in downtown Lafayette and a fast-growing client list.
Still, earning a degree was never optional.
“I didn’t have a free moment in the day, but I come from a family of educators, so the importance of having a degree to fall back on was something they really instilled in me,” he says.
He enrolled at the 鶹ýAV in 2021 as a marketing major, but the demands of in-person classes soon clashed with the pace of his growing business.
“My schedule was just too busy for all those in-person classes,” says Theyard. “So Ms. Sharon Gregory, an advisor in the University College, laid out different options for me. She told me about an online program where I could still minor in business but work at my own pace.”
That’s when he made the switch to UL Lafayette’s online Bachelor of General Studies program, where he gained the freedom to keep building his brand without putting his education on hold.
Building a Brand and a Bachelor’s at the Same Time
By 2023, Theyard’s ventures were taking off. He launched The Marketing Yard, a full-service creative agency, and expanded his downtown studio into a rentable space for photographers and content creators.
Business was booming, and the workload wasn’t letting up. UL Lafayette’s online general studies program gave him the flexibility he needed to keep everything moving.
His days were packed with shoots, team meetings, and client calls. At night, he shifted focus to coursework.
“That flexibility was really important because my schedule was slammed,” he says. “But with the online program, I was able to do my homework and assignments at night. That made it work with my schedule.”
Staying the Course
As his coursework progressed, so did his brand portfolio.
During his last year of the program, Theyard launched The Candle Yard, an e-commerce store offering dessert-inspired candles. Around the same time, he and his mom began developing The Wilyard, a wedding and event venue in Lafayette’s Sterling Grove Historic District.
Having a solid support system was critical for his academic and professional success.
“I have a team that helps with the business side, and my mom made sure I stayed on top of school, reminding me to check Moodle,” he says. “So the challenge was really just making time.”
His instructors, many of whom followed his work in the community, were flexible when business picked up.
“They always worked with me. It was a supportive experience all around,” says Theyard.
What started as a safety net became a springboard.
“I’m excited to use what I’ve learned to grow my business, be a better leader, and continue developing my marketing and business management skills,” he says.
Real-World Experience, Real-World Results
Though Theyard’s college experience was untraditional, the return on investment was clear.
“I may not have been at all the football games or parties, but I still got the full academic experience, while also getting that real-world experience, too,” he says.
His advice to other students? Don’t sell yourself short.
“You might see majors like nursing or engineering, and think, ‘Wow, that’s really impressive,’” he says. “But in this program, we have students doing big things, too. The possibilities are limitless with a degree like this.”
Ready to build your own path? Explore the online Bachelor of General Studies program at UL Lafayette.
