By Ben Jenkins, Newswire Intern

Student Made now has a division in the Center for Student Innovation at Xavier University. 

Student Made was created in 2017 at Elon University by Lindsay Reeth and Ryan McElhinney. Their goal was to run an organization to help student-run businesses on college campuses get off the ground and expand as much as they can. Student Made was brought to Xavier by students Deirdre Roos, Addison Jeffery, Abby Richardson and Alaina Moe. 

“It’s a platform for students to showcase their business and products,” first-year entrepreneurship and marketing major and manager for Student Made Roos said.

For many students running a small business, a major problem is shedding light on their products. Most are looking to spread the word through their friends and social media, which can be a struggle. This is where Student Made comes in.

Student Made has their own website where students can put their products up for sale. This gives them an easier way to get their product out. Alongside this, they also have a whole team dedicated to marketing.

This organization helps businesses get off the ground. Many times small businesses have a lot of upfront costs to get up and running, Student Made helps with this.

 “We help them start without the hurdles of starting a business on their own, not paying for Etsy, any of the any of the little startup costs,” Roos said. 

Currently Student Made Xavier has five student run businesses they are working with: A jewelry store and The Alaina Moe collection. Another is an arts and prints run by Abby Richardson. 

There is a crochet shop as well, selling anything from hats to small stuffed animals. The Blob’s Closet has partnered with Student Made, along with a similar shop, Moe and Co. Student Made is set on expanding their reach to more business around campus. “We want to find more people, and launch to alumni, current students, teachers, and parents,” Roos said.

Once the market for all the Student Made businesses expands, there are plans to get more exposure to their partners. 

“Right now we’re looking for pop up shops at Gallagher Student Section, and once the weather is nicer, something in the yard,” Roos said. The business involved will be able to showcase their products for the entire student body.

As they continue to grow they can keep providing support for small businesses across campus. They also hope to be able to set up larger pop up shops, like one at Findlay Market, to help their partners expand not just at Xavier, but throughout the entire Cincinnati area.