Student-Made OWU
Ohio Wesleyan Student-Entrepreneurs Launch Online Marketplace
DELAWARE, Ohio – Think of it as an OWU Etsy. Ohio Wesleyan University's new Student-Made OWU website just launched, enabling Bishops with small businesses to sell their products online to anyone, anywhere.
Student-Made OWU, part of the national Student-Made Program, debuted with products ranging from playing cards and paintings to crocheted creations and jewelry, and more.
The playing cards, created by Olivia Maldre '29, feature Maldre's hand-painted designs printed on casino-quality cardstock. In her Student-Made story, the Studio Art major shares: "My goal is to bring more joy, curiosity, and imagination into everyday life. I create products that encourage people to stay playful, explore their sense of wonder, and enjoy a little more whimsy. The world can never have enough of it."
In addition to helping Ohio Wesleyan students create the online platform, the national Student-Made organization provides marketing and branding assistance and access to a supportive network of student-creators across the United States.
Student-Made OWU is operated on campus by six student-managers who are gaining hands-on e-commerce experience: Nassos Papasarafianos '29, campus manager; Aj Jalloh '27, community engagement manager; Nia Barjayta '27, website manager; Stefaniia Minakova '28, events and partnerships manager; Jera Hoy '28, finance and strategy manager; and Morgan Langa '29, marketing manager.
Hoy, an Accounting major and Entrepreneurship minor, also is helping her sister sell items on the Student-Made OWU site. Kateri Hoy '29, an English (creative writing) major and Spanish minor, created Prettier Than Piercings, a line of handmade, invisible clip-on charm earrings for those who can't or don't wish to pierce their ears.
"We hope to spread confidence through our business and offer people a new method of self-expression outside of traditional earrings," the Radnor, Ohio, siblings state.
Cliff Hurst, Ph.D., assistant professor of Economics & Business, is the faculty adviser for Student-Made OWU, and the initiative is supported financially by The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship.
Hurst says the value of being part of the national initiative is simple: "Student-Made creates learning about entrepreneurship by doing entrepreneurship."
To learn more, visit the Student-Made OWU website, follow the initiative on Instagram at @studentmade_owu, or contact any of the campus managers.
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.