More about us!

Rising Rolls Baking Company was founded by Alexa Carter in June of 2024. However, she came up with the idea of the Chili-Roll in November of 2022. Now, Alexa is a sophomore in college at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, studying agricultural communication with minors in the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program and Animal Science.

Joining Alexa, is Rylie, her sister. This is quite the dynamic duo. Rylie is currently a freshman at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, where she is studying Animal Science with minors in the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program and the Krutsinger Beef Scholars Program.

Below is more information about the past, present, and future of Rising Rolls Baking Company.

The Idea

Where do you even come up with this? Well, we're glad you asked. The Chili-Roll was invented at the Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium (NYBLS) by seventeen-year-old Alexa Carter. At the symposium, the main task for the groups is to come up with a new or improved food creation and to pitch it to a panel of judges. While brainstorming in the group, Alexa thought "Why don't we just combine chili and cinnamon rolls?", and the chili-roll was born.

Over the next few days, while getting some discouragement by her group and peers, she prevailed and made the first prototype. Against the odds, everything worked how it was dreamed up. Alexa planned on marketing it for the University of Nebraska Lincoln concession stands at sporting events. They were the last group to pick poster color, with the only color left being red, she knew it was meant to be.

When it came time to pitch it to the panel of judges. Without knowing the doors she was about to open on her journey of entrepreneurship, Alexa was surprisingly confident.

Once the group was done, it was time for questions. The lady on the far right of the judges panel started, "Now, we are going to pretend this is Shark Tank. I want this on campus." The lady was none other that CASNR's Dean, Tiffany Heng-Moss. This spark would soon light a fire in Alexa as she set off on her journey into the Engler Program and soon to be selling her Chili-Rolls on campus within the coming year and a half.

1 5

The Engler Program

The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program is a minor program at the University of Nebraska Lincoln with the focus of building a community that builds communities.

"We exists to embolden our people on the courageous pursuit of their purpose through the art and practice of entrepreneurship."

Time in Engler

Alexa's time in the Engler Program has been nothing short of a life changing experience. Since being introduced to the program and also getting awarded a scholarship in January 2023, has continued to grow her passion of entrepreneurship in many different ways.

She got her first introduction in her Engler journey by taking the intro level Engler course. She got to dive into the art and mindset of entrepreneurship. She also got to know of all the opportunities that the Engler Program offers.

Engler Opportunites

Alexa currently serves on the Recruitment Team for the Engler Program. She serves on a team of seven members that focuses on recruitment tactics to interest for high school and college students to join the program. The team strives to create a welcoming environment by leading group and one-on-one tours throughout the Engler space to sell to potential prospects on a future in entrepreneurship.

1 2

Ringing the Bell with Alexa

Alexa signed her letter of intent to the Engler Program in November of 2023. She chose Mads Kreifels, member of the Engler Program and owner of InfoFilm, to co-sign with her. Alexa rung the bell to celebrate this accomplishment. Since then, she has rung the bell for other successes, failures, and pivot points in her journey as an entreprenuer.

Ringing the Bell with Rylie

Rylie signed her letter of intent to the Engler Program November 20th. Alexa was her co-signee, who recently signed her letter last year. It is a tradition in the Engler program to have an older sibling sign for you. Rylie rung the bell to celebrate this accomplishment and the furthering of her journey. "I am super excited to see where the program takes me, bettering myself and the foundation Alexa and I have created for the business!"

Sharing the Business

While in college, Alexa has been pitching Rising Rolls Baking Company to judges in order to receive feedback, and sometimes getting rewarded a cash prize. She has pitched at the 3-2-1 Quick Pitch at UNL's College of Business twice in the past two years and has had great success. "Being able to share the business with new people is the best part of pitching," says Alexa, "there is nothing better than constructive feedback, especially when I am able to provide samples!"

Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council

This year, Alexa is serving as an ambassador of agriculture for the state of Nebraska. She is serving on a team of twenty three college aged students who are passionate about agriculture to share our passion for the industry by hosting a week long networking camp for high school juniors and seniors. On the communications committee, they work together to communicate with the public by creating social media posts to share our progress to participants of the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute, sponsors, and speakers.

Most Recently

Alexa was recently featured on Pure Nebraska to share her passion for 4-H and her business. This was the first live news interview she has done and it was such a fun experience. She loves sharing about 4-H and how it has gotten her to where she is today!