By Michela Gritti
Here at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, creativity and entrepreneurship meet through StudentMade, a growing program that helps students launch and manage their own small businesses while gaining real, hands-on experience.
StudentMade was born at Elon University in North Carolina, with its first event held in 2017. It was founded by two students, Lindsay Reeth and Ryan McElhinney, who wanted to create a supportive space for student entrepreneurs. Since then, the initiative has grown to 14 campuses across the United States, involving more than 400 students running businesses in areas such as art, jewelry, photography and design.
Although the branch at UNCP started just last semester and is still small, it is gradually growing. There are currently three active creators, and the organization is always looking for new members. To join, students can fill out an online application form through the StudentMade website or sign-up during pop-up events around campus.
StudentMade is not just a UNCP club, but a national organization that partners with professors at each campus to help students start and run their businesses safely. The company provides the necessary framework to ensure that all student sales are tax-compliant and professionally managed. Here at UNCP, the program works with Dr. Suzanne Altobello and Dr. Caroline Glackin, who help oversee the local branch.
Behind every campus table is a large team that keeps StudentMade running smoothly. The national office handles accounting and marketing, with interns and a chief financial officer supporting operations across all campuses. Here at UNCP, the branch includes several managers who take care of key areas like marketing, community engagement, events, finance and the website. Together, they promote creators, organize pop-ups, manage sales and keep the StudentMade UNCP website updated with new listings and seasonal collections.
Kayden Austin, a business administration student with a concentration in management, holds three positions within the organization. She is a creator, the events and partnerships manager and the campus manager, overseeing the entire team of managers. Her business, Ever So Bright, creates jewelry inspired by Scripture, combining creativity and personal meaning. She donates 11 percent of her profits to Christ-centered causes and uses her work to share faith-based messages.
Austin said that being part of StudentMade has helped her apply what she learns in class while gaining real leadership experience. “I’ve wanted to start a business my whole life. Even since I was younger, I knew this was something I wanted to do,” she said. “I’m glad now that I can actually have the knowledge to do it right and the connections to help me get where I want to go.”
The payment process is handled professionally as well. All StudentMade branches use a point-of-sale system that ensures safe transactions, with no cash involved. Online sales are also available, and customers can browse the UNCP branch’s products at studentmadeuncp.com. Orders placed through the site are shipped directly to buyers, and returns are managed efficiently by the StudentMade team.
Austin said producers set their own prices based on how they value their work and what the market demands. The market is often made up of other students, faculty and community members. Membership lasts as long as a student is enrolled, with the shop pausing during the summer and reopening each semester.
Balancing business and academics can be challenging, but Austin said it is all about time management. “You just have to make time to do what you need to do. Work first, have fun later, and always do your best,” she said. She added that managing a business while studying helps students develop discipline, a sense of responsibility and adaptability.
StudentMade charges a 60-dollar involvement fee for new creators, but Austin said that most students make that money back quickly. She personally made over 100 dollars in her first month, showing that the investment pays off.
She encourages more students to take the leap and join, even if they feel unsure about where to start. Many creators begin with hesitation, but the program’s supportive community helps them gain confidence. StudentMade also has a podcast, StudentMade Stories, available on Spotify, where student entrepreneurs share their experiences and advice for newcomers. “The managers team is great and the creators are very inspirational,” Austin said. “It’s a great experience to have in college.”
Austin hopes to see the program expand at UNCP, with more creators joining and more services being offered, such as photography, hair styling and other creative work, in addition to product-based businesses.
Students interested in joining StudentMade can visit studentmadeuncp.com to explore current creators and apply to become part of the program. They can also listen to StudentMade Stories on Spotify for inspiration from other student entrepreneurs across the country.
For many, StudentMade represents more than a way to make money. It is a learning community that helps students connect, collaborate and grow — one idea at a time!