Some college students spend their days crammed in lecture halls, jotting down notes and scrambling to keep up with an already hectic workload. For them, the idea of being a business owner is only a far-off dream. However, for several student-entrepreneurs, Student-Made Marquette (SMM) has made this dream a reality.
In 2023, Marquette launched its partnership with Student-Made, a company that operates as a digital marketplace for students to create and sell handmade products. With over a dozen Marquette student business-owners providing services, SMM offers nearly everything from custom dress tailoring to ear warmers.
Student-Made established its Marquette chapter last semester with the help of the 707 Hub. Student-Made is known nationally for supporting student entrepreneurs by giving them a platform to launch and grow their businesses.
SMM hosts several pop-up events throughout the year where creators can sell their products directly to other students on campus.
Their first event of the semester was on Sept. 6, at the bridge under Raynor Library.
Businesses showcased at the event included Kreative Jewelry, Little Artsy Aloe and Lady’s Garden. The vendors were selling a variety of handmade goods, including keychains, crocheted bouquets and baked treats.
Savannah Korte, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, has been selling homemade jewelry with SMM since her sophomore year. For her, joining the Marquette Chapter of Student-Made was the perfect way to give her business.
“I was really scared of putting myself in front of people,” Korte said. “So, this was a way to force myself out there, and it’s great to do it with a community with me. I can talk to people my age and be like ‘how do I do this?'”
Korte has found that collaborating with other business owners at Marquette has helped her build stronger connections within the Marquette community, something she struggled to do on her own.
“It’s nice that people recognize me now, and they come up to me outside [of when I’m selling something] and start talking [to me],” Korte said.
Bella Drewek, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, works as the campus manager. She shared that working with SMM is a great way for student creators to build a supportive community around business ownership and learn entrepreneurial skills from peers.
“With SMM, you have a community of people who are going through the same thing as you,” Drewek said. “The manager team plans and organizes events for creators to sell at, which provides them with opportunities they may not otherwise have had. Our finance team also handles all taxes, which is always a plus!”
Drewek highlighted that students do not need to have an established business to get involved with SMM. The organization provides resources to help students begin developing their ideas and supports them as they move toward launching their businesses.
Along with hosting events for creators, SMM’s finance team offers help on budgeting and tax filing.
Whether someone is just starting out or already has entrepreneurial experience, SMM welcomes business owners at every stage.
They plan to have another pop-up event next semester and are hopeful to participate in the Milwaukee Art Festival as well.
Those interested in buying from SMM should visit their website, where they can browse a variety of student shops and services.
This article was written by Allison Scherquist. She can be reached at [email protected].
