From custom postcards to Arabic sweatshirts, Student-Made Marquette‘s recent website launch provides student entrepreneurs at Marquette the opportunity to sell their products digitally.
The operation, fully ran by students, is located in the 707 Hub, that features a variety of student creators on campus who create items that range from jewelry and stationery to clothing and various customizable options.
Throughout the new storefront, anyone, including students and faculty, can shop and support handmade products from Marquette creators.
The website also has a “Meet the Creators” page, where you can read about and support each student’s business.
“Student-Made is a program that is on different campuses across the country, it’s really about making community with student creators and small business owners, getting them a space to sell their work … kind of like an Etsy for student campuses,” Stella Quinlan, a junior in the College of Communication and content creation manager of Student-Made Marquette, said.
Quinlan said even if you’re an alum living in California, there are delivery options available to still take part in and support Marquette creators, offering worldwide shipping.
Mariam Ali, a senior in the College of Communication, is an active creator that focuses on making Middle Eastern and South Asian inspired clothing under the Mariam Ali Collection.
“I decided to take the Marquette logo and make it into Arabic, to show our culture and also make something that is recognizable,” Ali said.
Ali said she aims to change the Muslim and Middle Eastern reputations through her designs.
“This is a great opportunity to get yourself out there because Student-Made helps you a lot with the promotion and everything, and all of this is a part of the Marquette community, and helps get your brand out there. I think it’s very good for someone starting out trying to start a business, because everything is already laid out for you, it’s like the foundation,” Ali said.
Ali said that more products will be coming soon, but the products that are available now include Marquette Arabic crewnecks, a Pakistani superhero crewneck, a Pakistani-themed workout shirt and an Arabic New York Yankees shirt.
Bre Legan, a graduate student in the College of Communication, and an active creator, started drawing during the pandemic and later became interested in Student-Made through a flyer on campus.
Legan said that her biggest inspiration is the natural world and interpreting it through her own lens and style, and she is excited for more opportunities to showcase her work.
“I think this is all pretty fresh and new for most of us, but I’m excited to see how it goes and how it keeps growing, and how people keep joining,” Legan said.
Legan’s creative outlet specializes in digital illustrations, and also has an interest in incorporating poetry into art.
“I would definitely recommend anyone that’s relatively creative or an artist or an entrepreneur of any kind to join Student-Made. It’s honestly pretty cool to be able to showcase all of the art and the things that we’re creating while also being able to connect with other students here and learning more about what they do,” Legan said.
Quinlan also said she is excited for the future of Student-Made here at Marquette.
“I think Student-Made is a really great opportunity right now and it has a great potential for growth as more students know about it and look to see their stuff. I think just introducing Student-Made to Marquette’s campus will get students involved and interested and maybe pursuing creative opportunities or ventures that they might not have otherwise considered,” Quinlan said.
Quinlan said that as of last Wednesday, everything is up and running.
‘We’re really excited that all of the products that our creators have been working hard on are available to the campus community whether you’re in the area or ordering online,” Quinlan said.
This story was written by Trinity Zapotocky. She can be reached at Trinity. [email protected]
