By Jessica Christensen
This past week, on March 12, Susquehanna University hosted the third annual Student Startup Market in Apfelbaum Hall. This market was an opportunity for students who have created their own business to promote their products and services.
This year, all three floors of Apfelbaum Hall were packed with tables, featuring about 20 student-run businesses ranging from jewelry making to home-cooked food.
The market was open to students, staff, and local business leaders to attend and see rising entrepreneurs at Susquehanna University—a great networking opportunity.
Senior Haley Lane, owner of Studio HL custom and personal jewelry, recalls what made her want to start up a jewelry business: “Honestly, I’ve always had a love for crafting and DIY activities, and when I was in fourth grade, I loved jewelry making and hands-on crafts.”
At the event, Lane offered a “crafting station” where she created permanent jewelry for her customers.
Another student business at the market was the Secret Shelf Book Company, created by seniors Maggie Bachman and Ryan Ford. Bachman shares that the company’s purpose is to “give books a second life.” They do this by finding second-hand books and wrapping them so the cover cannot be seen. They then write a description of the book on the front so customers can choose it based on the plot, rather than on what it looks like.
“It’s a secret what the book is, so it’s a blind date with a book,” stated Bachman.
Each floor of Apfelbaum had a mixture of stands, and most students decided to start their business to share what they love.
Sophomore Olivia Baczor, creator of the jean brand Genes, shared that “the inspiration behind my brand was that most inseams and sizes are the same, and some women feel like they can’t shop at some stores because the jeans don’t fit their body.”
Another student, Trudie Bergmark, says her houseplant business, Horner’s Corner, “started as a hobby which grew into a real-life business.”
A common theme seen in each student entrepreneur is a dream that became a reality. Anyone can start a business they are passionate about, and it may be easier than one would think.
Both Haley Lane and Ryan Ford shared that some of their materials come from Amazon.
“It’s pretty accessible, especially since our tote bags are on Amazon and a lot of the branded stuff,” says Ford.
The Student Startup Market has been seen as successful in providing student entrepreneurs with an opportunity to grow and have support from local businesses and fellow students.
If you are interested in entrepreneurship, Susquehanna University offers an Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation Degree to help students make their dreams possible.