A new elective entrepreneurship class has empowered Clemson students to start their own businesses to fulfill local needs while turning a profit.
Last spring, the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business created an Entrepreneurial Mindset course taught by Steve Edwards, the Arthur M. Spiro Center for Entrepreneurship lecturer, and Matthew Klein, a senior lecturer in the college, which allows students the opportunity to learn about starting companies and working as newly-developed entrepreneurs.
Students are tasked with finding new demands in the Clemson area that could support a new business venture, which has resulted in various businesses coming to fruition.
Marissa Roach, a freshman pre-business major, found inspiration in the course and decided to start Paw Packages.
“After talking with a lot of other students, especially those who live in Douthit, there is a major demand for package delivery because there is nothing else like it here in the area,” Roach told The Tiger in an interview.
Students that live in Douthit Hills East and West have to walk past west campus to pick up packages in the Dillard Building, which is the new mail services building as of this August.
Roach runs the business completely on her own, picks up the packages from Dillard Building and delivers them to students herself in her free time to make money on the side. Her business launched earlier this fall, and she has provided help to over 20 students and is looking to expand.
In addition to Paw Packages, The Study Basket is another business that has been created by Reagan McCraw, a junior middle-level education major.
“There was one day when Steve and Matt spoke about finding a solution for someone’s pain and turning that into a business idea,” McCraw said. “My mom was looking to send someone a basket one day, but she couldn’t find any good basket delivery services in the Clemson area. That’s when I got the idea to create my business to fulfill that need.”
The Study Basket is a basket delivery service made especially for college students, through which parents and anyone wishing to send a support basket can choose to send “The Study Basket,” “The Exam Basket” and “The Get Well Soon Basket” to any Clemson student.
McCraw was able to create her own website, make business cards, develop a product and begin to market. She officially owns a limited liability company and has plans to start selling baskets at the start of the new year, with prices ranging from $90-$120. She has many students interested in purchasing her items.
“Overall, this process has been really fun, and even if this company isn’t successful, it has taught me so much about managing the business. I honestly encourage everyone to try it,” McCraw said.
According to both business owners, there are other student businesses that are planning to start up next year after having more time to plan their launches.
