Student Business Expo

The struggles of starting a small business are often overlooked, but advertising and selling products is much harder than it may seem on the surface. Going to school and getting an education adds an extra level of difficulty to the maintenance of a small business. The Geneseo School of Business recognizes this, which is why they host events to help boost local student-run small businesses. 

This past Saturday, the Geneseo School of Business collaborated with the Center for Community, Geneseo Opportunities for Leadership, and the Interfaith center. With the help of these groups and individual volunteers, the spring semester Student Business Expo was held. Student business expos have been held in the past and have always been a well-loved event by students.

Businesses of all kinds were welcome at this event, from handmade art and crafts to services such as hair and nails. Vendors paid a small fee to have a table at the event, but any money made went directly to the student. Four different vendors attended the event, each selling a different type of handmade product. 

Charm bracelets and Croc charms were being sold by junior early childhood education major Kennedi Spencer. Her business can be found on Instagram under the title “charmedbykenn.” Custom charm bracelets can be ordered and picked up in Geneseo or shipped to any address. 

Junior finance major Camryn Marshall, assistant business manager for The Lamron, is the owner and operator of “water your brain.” She started her business over two years ago and has accumulated quite the following ever since; she has over 1,300 followers on her Instagram, which you can find under the username “wateryourbrain.co.” She also has an Etsy shop that has received almost 400 sales. Her products include intricate wire-wrapped pendants and rings, and handcrafted crystal mirrors and bowls. 

Geneseo senior art history major Christal-Wren Guzman tabled at this event, selling digital prints of her artwork. Her business can be found on Instagram as “saturnswrath.” She sells prints through her Instagram and website, and also takes commissions. 

The fourth business at the expo was a crochet business under the name of “geneseocrochet.” Geneseo freshman Abigail Axton, Kara Schutte, and I created the business in Dec. and have recently begun selling products. The Instagram account can be found under the name of “geneseocrochet.” Our handmade crochet items include coasters, stuffed animals, bags, hats, and countless other things. 

Freshman English major Abigail Axton learned how to crochet last semester and has been hooked ever since. “I was never really interested in crochet or anything until I saw my suitemates doing it. I kept getting so frustrated when I started because I kind of sucked, but eventually I got the hang of it. Now I’m so excited to be able to make some money from my hobby.” said Abigail. 

All of the students in attendance appreciated the opportunity to promote their small business and even make some sales. Everyone who attended the event was impressed with each artist's work and with how reasonable their prices were.

Be sure to check out each business on social media and support small local businesses! Students should also look out for more events like this being run by the School of Business.