Student entrepreneurs shine at small business fair

A smiling brunette person is seated at a table behind several velvet jewelry displays.

By Ava Curtis

On Wednesday, November 20, the Sustainability Office and Lassonde Studios brought fourteen student vendors together for the first-ever campus small business fair. The main lobby of Lassonde Studios was transformed into a vibrant marketplace with two rows of tables sporting multicolored tablecloths lining the cement walls of the building and live piano music from the main lobby playing in the background. Student vendors sold unique products, from hand-thrown ceramics to bath and body products to handmade neckties.

Ethan McQuarrie, CEO and founder of Ocoves, a men’s hydrating cologne company, explained that he started this business in April of this year following a research project he did for a class here at the U. In his research process, he found that conventional cologne lacks effectiveness and uses harmful ingredients. By establishing his own company, he wanted to create a 100% natural-ingredient cologne that allows the product to last for a longer time.

Two people discuss bath products. — Communications major Paige Barnson talks with Thad Kelling as she sells bath products during the event.

Tay Kim, creator of UDawnNoodles, was another entrepreneur at the fair. Kim sells handmade keychains and stickers at local markets, turning a passion into a side business. “It’s a way for me to earn extra cash while doing something I love,” Tay explained.

By providing a free opportunity for students such as McQuarrie and Kim to showcase and sell their products, Kara Freedman, the Sustainability Office’s events & engagement coordinator, hopes to provide a low-barrier way for students to sell their products. She explained that there are often students who inquire about being vendors at the Sustainability Office’s fall farmers market but it is not always possible for them to join as a full-season vendor due to time constraints. She stated that the goal of this event was to, “provide an opportunity for sustainable shopping here on campus and for student entrepreneurs to have a chance to get experience in a way that is approachable.”

A smiling blond person is seated at a table behind a row of small bottles with dropper tops. — Masters of Business Administration student Shaelee Satterthwaite sells drink mix during the event.

With the holidays coming up and many people shopping for gifts, this event gave students a chance to prioritize shopping for local goods. Shopping locally allows for money to stay within the community. It also provides an opportunity for U community members to develop entrepreneurial skills that will serve them in the future. Shopping locally has a lower environmental impact because products are not shipped across the globe (thereby limiting emissions), and small businesses tend to use far less packaging than large companies that need to ship their products vast distances.

Maria, a shopper whose daughter was selling at the market, said, “All the students really know their stuff.” she expressed that the event was pleasant and informative. She bought some handmade pottery bowls at the event.

A close-up view of four ceramic mugs painted with different birds. — Ceramics major Madison Morgenthau sells pottery during the event.

This event showcased student entrepreneurs and provided the campus community with an opportunity to shop locally and sustainably. With a warm atmosphere and a wide variety of products, this event encouraged entrepreneurship on campus while giving students, staff and members of the U community an opportunity to shop more sustainably this holiday season.