On November 5th and 6th, the Nicholson building hosted a “Pop-up Shop” event for RMU’s small-businesses to promote and sell their products. The tables were filled with different things such as baked goods, crocheted mushrooms, delicate beaded bracelets, art prints, and even a strength training program. These marketing students showed off their wares as students walked from Romo’s to the rotunda staircase, eyeing each table with curiosity.
Each business had a unique charm to them and eager students willing to show-off their hard work.
Kyra Ray, a business major, has her own crochet shop named, “Hooked On Ky.” Her stand featured small keychains with colorful crocheted flowers, two beanie-like hats, and other products. “I started my business because I had a friend that tried to teach me how to crochet. I was really bad at it at first.” But eventually, she got the hang of it, and now her business is up and running.
Right next door, Sharmya Avery had his pop-up shop: “Hive & Honey.” At his table, two batches of cookies were out for sale featuring the flavors “Blue Monster Cookie” and “Cinnamon Toast Cookie.” On the side were some refreshment sodas for students as well.
“So, I planned to start my business when I was in high school, actually, I had plans to start a mini-cookie business, but it just never flew off the ground.”
He told me that he decided to only stick with two flavors for the shop and asked different people on their preference. To narrow it down, he ended up choosing the Blue Monster Cookie and the Cinnamon Toast Cookie. “I think I made the right choice.”
Next, Vanessa Betten, was running her shop displaying a plethora of jewelry and accessory products, Delicate Designs. Sparkly flower beads, chain-link bracelets, colorful beaded necklaces, and even decorative beaded Christmas tree trinkets for the upcoming holiday season were displayed.
Vanessa mentioned, “I always craft all the time. And so, I got too many things for myself, so I started giving them to friends. And then it got too much to even give to friends so, one of my friends recommended that I start selling it.”
The last popup shop was run by Keysean Jenkins. He eagerly approached me and instantly began to advertise his product, pointing out his sweaters, T-shirt designs, and a windbreaker set. All of his clothing adorned with the design logo: Dios Primero…which translates to “God First” in Spanish. He started his business back in December of 2021, and told me he wanted to have a positive impact on the world.
“Due to the brand’s name which is “God First” in Spanish, it was something that I was passionate about and I wanted to spread that message.” He gestured to his clothing folded on the table, which was a very clean yet classy design, the hoodies having stylish diamond-shaped rhinestones scattered on the hoodie. His T-shirts had the graphic with his logo, and featured on the back were printed phrases in large block letters saying: “The Way/The Truth/The Life”, from an excerpt of the Bible.
He told me that after he custom designs everything he sends it straight to a manufacturer. Overall, it takes about three weeks to get the final product. In terms of the clothing design, Keysean takes inspiration from the Bible and specific passages and verses that he finds inspiring.
Keysean then mentioned how this is something he wants to do longterm. “I actually just changed my major to management because this is something I wanted to do in the long term. I changed it from finance to management.”
Even though the pop-up shops are over, you can still find all of the businesses on social media.
While talking to each of our entrepreneurs, I discovered they all had something in common. Not only were they passionate about their businesses, but they were all inspired by the feeling of creating joy or happiness for other people.
As we can see, our generation has blooming businesses and students prepared to step into the real world and work in the name of passion, kindness, and drive.
