Celebrating Small Business Week at ODU
May 03, 2018
Customers shopping at ODU's student retail store, THE Monarch Way. (Click image to view larger)
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, more than half of Americans own or work for a small business. Entrepreneurs also help create two out of every three new jobs in the United States, annually.
To recognize the value of these economic drivers, National Small Business Week was launched in 1963. The event, where consumers are encouraged to support local businesses, runs through May 5.
In recognition of National Small Business Week, Old Dominion University is celebrating its' newest addition, THE Monarch Way store.
The retail store, which houses the products of more than 20 vendors, provides students, alumni, faculty and staff entrepreneurs the opportunity to gain selling experience in a retail environment.
THE Monarch Way is also intended to be a learning lab for young entrepreneurs to get first-hand experience in pricing, merchandising and scheduling while offering their products to the Hampton Roads community.
"For our entrepreneurs who represent the classic definition of small business, THE Monarch way offers them an opportunity to try out the retail environment without taking a significant amount of risks," said Connie Merriman, faculty advisor for THE Monarch Way. "Since the soft opening on August 21 (2017) the store has produced more than $15,000 in sales and sold more than 450 items."
Attendees can expect to see items for sale from gourmet bacon treats to clothing, purses, cupcakes, candles, fire starter kits and artwork.
THE Monarch Way is located at 4306 Monarch Way Ave., on ODU's Norfolk campus. To learn more about the products offered there by ODU's entrepreneurs, visit THE Monarch Way website.
For additional information, or if you have a product you would like to sell in the store, contact Connie Merriman at cmerrima@odu.edu or 757-683-6548.
