One of the programs we are very proud of here at Belmont University is our student created, student run retail businesses. Three different groups of students were chosen from at least a couple of dozen proposals to occupy three prime retail spaces on the edge of our campus, Each space is at least 1000 square feet, and the University along with local foundations helped to provide funding to make each store possible. Becky Gann, Program Coordinator for our Center for Entrepreneurship, oversees these and all of our other co-curricular programs.
The Tennessean ran a story this past Sunday marking the opening of the third business in the space. It is called Feedback Clothing. Unlike our other two stores, which are “owned” and operated by student organizations, this business was developed by an independent group of students.
These students have already had some of the lessons we hope to offer them through participation in our programs.
“One of her partners in Feedback Clothing Co. had just quit to take a better job, downsizing the management team — and staff, for that matter — from three people to two. The computer and cash register weren’t going to be ready for Friday’s opening, necessitating some ‘old-fashioned’ money collecting. Alexander’s grandparents and 9-year-old brother were happily helping hang T-shirts and put together furniture.
“‘We’re making it work,’ she said. ‘It all comes together eventually.'”
We also offer students who have started their own businesses access to our Student Business Hatchery. It offers students access to space and equipment, such as a copier, fax, computers, etc.
We also bring these student entrepreneurs together weekly, along with those running the retail spaces, to serve as a peer advisory group. There are over two dozen students in our Hatchery and Practicing Student Entrepreneurs programs, and the number is growing every month.
We are expanding these programs through support we are getting from the Coleman Foundation. Our goal is to support students from any major across campus who have entrepreneurial aspirations and ambitions.
Students today are so very different than even those I saw when I got back into teaching seven years ago. They understand America is now in an entrepreneurial economic growth period not seen in decades. They embrace opportunity with enthusiasm and confidence.
What a gift it is for me to be able to help them realize their dreams!
Previous
Next