Kaysi Curtin (in yellow) of Sandler Training in Fresno awarded a sales training scholarship to Fresno Pacific University student Lauren Farrar (center), who is in the class of Professor Breck Harris (wearing the dark suit). Photo by Frank Lopez

A local college student/entrepreneur has won a scholarship that aims to help her expand sales and business strategies.

Lauren Farrar, 21, a  marketing student at Fresno Pacific University, was awarded a $4,500 scholarship Friday by Kaysi Curtin, president of Sandler Training in Fresno, a local branch of professional sales training organization Sandler Training.

Curtin is the former sales manager of The Business Journal.

The scholarship will provide Farrar with a 10-week training course in Fresno to learn how to become a more effective sales professional.

“I really didn’t expect to win,” Farrar said. “I’ve just had a small business for a few years now and it’s helping me advance my career, so it’s really exciting.”

Farrar has been running Brush of Wonders since she was a senior in high school, custom painting items such as shoes, jackets and watch bands. She is trying to break into the wedding business by painting acrylic sheets and signage for weddings.

Farrar said Curtin caught her attention after her first guest lecture in class, vigorously taking notes and later trying to apply all of the strategies and techniques Curtin shared.

Farrar said she never considered going into sales before, but her experience with the class, and Curtin, is making her reconsider.

Farrar is most active on Instagram, which is where she gets most of her orders from.

Curtin has been a regular guest speaker at Professor Breck Harris’ ‘Sales Management’ class. She plans on awarding the $4,500 scholarship to students annually.

Students of the class were invited to write an essay on why they should be selected for the scholarship training opportunity, with Farrar’s essay being selected after review from Curtin and Harris.

“Offering a student that is newer to sales this kind of specialized training this early is unique and very important for a student’s resume,” Harris said.

Curtin said Farrar’s essay encapsulates Sandler’s training and sales philosophy for all aspects of life.

“It doesn’t matter what industry you get in. If you ever become a business owner or an entrepreneur, you need to know how to sell — yourself, your product and your services,” Curtin said.