DeVoe Division of Business is preparing to host a new event called “Open for Business” on March 25 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the commons.
Open for Business was created to encourage students to share their personal-run businesses on campus with the student body and celebrate their entrepreneurial spirit.
Shawn Matter, business professor, leader of the event said, “The event is largely a come and go event, think of this event like a trade show.”
Matter said that students are more than welcome to make sales during the event. Matter and other leaders in charge of this event want to make this as nicely set up as possible, creating any way to allow a student to show off their business.
Not only is this a great way for students to show off their business but it’s also an opportunity for them to share a little bit more about how they got started with the student body.
Mitch Gunn, a business student who is also taking charge of this event, said they are also having an MC who conducts live interviews from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. for each business owner.
Although the event is happening in the commons there is still seating for students to sit like there always is. Across the back wall and on the side the student business tables will be lined up in an L shape, allowing people to walk through.
To encourage students to visit and interact with the business owners, DeVoe Division of Business are also offering a raffle.
Students who purchase a drink at McConn and bring their receipt to the Open for Business event and students who talk to the business owners will also be given a ticket for extra entries have a chance to win different goodie bags.
Eight students will be sharing about their businesses they have been running by themselves and are eager to share with the student body.
Jackson Bontrager, junior, owns a car detailing business. Bontrager said he is excited to share something he is very proud of with the student body.
“I hope for good engagement and a chance to share more about my business with a different audience since this is something I mainly do back in my hometown,” Bontrager said.
