Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Commons^™

Exploration Of Small Fashion Retailers' Green Efforts In Supply Chain Management And Their Coping Strategies During Covid-19, Madison Huskey

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this paper is to explore the current business model of small fashion retailers and their green efforts in supply chain management based on the Six-R framework that consists of recycle, reuse, reduce, re-design, recovery, and remanufacture. This study also investigated the impact of COVID-19 on small fashion businesses. Qualitative data were gathered through in-depth interviews of owners/employees of four small fashion retailers that addressed sustainable supply chain management, customer segments, and challenges and barriers in green supply chain management, and the effects of COVID-19. Interview findings revealed that small fashion retailers are more likely to implement ...

Lunch & Learn, Idea Center, Illinois Wesleyan University

IDEA Center Events

"Presented: Via Zoom | Recordings available: IWU IDEA Center YouTube Page

"This event is for students, faculty and staff alike to come learn from the local 'pros!"

Sponsored by DTE

Movie Night Double Feature!, Idea Center, Illinois Wesleyan University

IDEA Center Events

Free candy & popcorn! Weekly Giveaways!

Sponsored by DTE

Makerspace Workshops, Idea Center, Illinois Wesleyan University

IDEA Center Events

"3-D printers, Sewing Machines, Laser Cutters, Embroidery Equipment, Vinyl Printing and so much more... Come check us out and let's create something!"

Sponsored by DTE

Retro Video Game Night, Idea Center, Illinois Wesleyan University

IDEA Center Events

"Come play with friends, faculty or anyone else who's [sic] name starts with a "F" and learn what fun you can have at the IDEA Center!"

Sponsored by DTE

Board Game Night, Idea Center, Illinois Wesleyan University

IDEA Center Events

"Remember how much fun you had with family game night? Come recreate the wholesome fun at the IDEA Center w2ith your 'new' squad."

Sponsored by DTE

Uncovered Magazine: A Magazine Prototype And Business Plan, Avery Bowman

Honors Theses

Through developing a skin care magazine prototype and business plan, this thesis aims to show how a print magazine can be successful to a young audience. By studying the history and development of both magazines and skin care and focusing on today’s industries, now is the perfect time to launch a skin care magazine. Uncovered Magazine will not only focus on filling this gap, but also will aim to empower women to find beauty in their natural skin.

Brief

Business Exchange

Business College and Accountancy School Reaccredited; MBA Partnership Formed with College of Mount Saint Vincent; Professor Named Among “Most Powerful Women in Accounting”; DePaul Ranked in Top 50 for Entrepreneurship Education

Conscious Couture: Upcycling And Sustainable Style, Sara Wilson

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Undergraduate Honors Theses

The fashion and apparel industry has become synonymously associated with wastefulness and pollution due to the high levels of production, consumption and disposal of the billions of garments produced globally each year. Throughout the industry, brands have continued to set sustainability goals for both efforts to reduce their environmental impacts as well as appeal to the ‘green’ consumer. The power that a consumer holds can be leveraged for driving sustainability related initiatives through an apparel market that is virtually available everywhere. Since the 1990s, the secondhand market has developed from simply an economically friendly place to purchase necessities, to its ...

The Effects Of Common Stressors On Poultry Production: A Case Study In Northern Mozambique, Grace Lehfeldt

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

Chicken is one of the main proteins that feeds the world. For centuries, the human race has relied on chickens to eat. Therefore, as food science becomes more relevant, the way that chickens are raised has become a science. However, this is not true in every part of the world. In Mozambique the process for raising chickens for consumption is not the same as it would be in America. This is a study of two specific “stressors” (feed and temperature) and how they impacted chicken growth and development on a live production poultry farm in Northern Mozambique. In addition, it ...

Covid-19 Impact On Business, Meredith Headlee

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

COVID-19 has not only been a major public health crisis, but it has also caused an economic shock. Small businesses have been at the losing end of the U.S. economy for years, but nothing has hurt them as bad as the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic has devastated thousands of small businesses while larger companies have fared well and, in some cases, thrived. Although there has been an increase in bankruptcy filings among public companies, the numbers are far lower than in the 2008 financial crisis (Lahart). This paper will explore what impact the pandemic has had on small businesses ...

Murad Auctions Expansion Plan, Carolyn Ann Murad

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

Murad Auctions has been very successful, especially in the last five years, by perfecting their business to meet their clients’ needs through live and silent auction events. They have done this through relentlessly putting the client first and taking steps to provide their clients with the right tools to become a successful and securing Murad Auction’s as a necessary service and consultant company. Through this research we are searching for the key problems that Murad Auction is facing and where Murad Auctions can enhance and broaden their services beyond the DFW area.

Murad Auctions has been successful on many ...

Rural Coopetition: A Consumer Perspective Of Marketing Activities Involving Smes, Cassandra A. Ritzen

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are central to global and domestic economies and are a significant factor in rural economic development. Rural SMEs face unique challenges of geographical location and limited resources requiring strategies that can create an enduring competitive advantage. This study explores market-oriented coopetition as a competitive strategy that forms collaborative relationships between competitors to create value for consumers. Through the analysis of a small cluster of rural SMEs, the focus of this study addresses the underexplored consumer perspective of coopetition events based on quantitative analyses of customer satisfaction and market share.

Economic And Strategic Analysis Of Minority Entrepreneurs In Omaha, Nebraska, Lizbeth Perez Hernandez

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Few resources of published studies exist identifying the needs or motivational factors that would assist minority business owners (MBOs) in Omaha, NE wishing to open a new business venture. Although MBOs have accounted for significant growth in the United States, there is not a lot of information available about how they access capital and resources to launch and grow their businesses. Findings show that MBOs continue to experience high barriers trying to find basic resources. There is evidence that proves the persistence of low minority business ownership rates and the survival of existing minority businesses is affected by social norms ...

Immigrant Entrepreneurship And Job Creation In The United States: A Historical Analysis And Future Projection Model, Joelle M. Jarjoura

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Are Small Businesses The Framework For A Successful U.S. Economy?, Carson Clevenger

Accounting Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis will investigate the impact of small businesses on the United States’ economy. I will be assessing several impact areas including gross domestic product, employment, and local economy contribution. This thesis will cover a study from the time periods of 1998-2014 of the gross domestic product and employment levels and will use numbers from the years of 2018- present for other impact areas. Furthermore, I will be analyzing certain sectors of the economy, comparing small businesses contribution to corporate contribution, in order to discuss if small businesses are necessary for our country’s successful economy.

Half Baked: The Hungry Elephant Baking Company Business Plan, Ankush Patel

Accounting Undergraduate Honors Theses

Hungry Elephant Baking Company seeks to open a locally sourced bakery featuring a variety of sourdough and traditional products alongside a tea-house style drink space. All baked goods will be produced in house, and teas will be sourced both locally as well as from a premier tea vendor. All products and services will be designed with sustainability and fair-trade practices in mind, and a majority of the products will be sourced organically to minimize the company's ecological footprint. By offering drinks alongside different single serving baked goods, the Hungry Elephant Baking Company can appeal to the large college and ...

Easy-Hook, Valentin Arroyo '23, Sasha Xxx '23, Avery Hedican '23

Student Leadership Exchange (SLX)

One of the main problems with eating is having to put your utensils down. Unexpected things could happen when you put them down, for instance a spoon falling into a bowl of soup or melted ice cream. These are just a few of the many outcomes which can occur due to not having a safe place to put your utensil. The unfavorable outcomes presented before you can all be prevented with the Easy-Hook, a device which is meant to keep your utensil from falling or sliding away from your grasp. This device is meant to target people who have similar ...

Extension-Led Demonstration: Grameen Microfinance Methods And Capital Access For Low-Income Female Entrepreneurs, Mark A. Edelman

Journal of Extension

A nonprofit community development financial institution and Extension collaborated to conduct a demonstration project to evaluate efficacy of Grameen peer-group microfinance methodology in addressing barriers faced by low-income women entrepreneurs in a small metro area. Program performance metrics achieved by 284 culturally diverse, low-income entrepreneurs (almost all women) over 5 years included a program loan repayment rate of 99%, increased average client income, bank savings accumulation, and increased opportunities for improved credit scores. Client survey responses indicated program methods developed confidence and skills in finances, leadership, and teamwork. Extension professionals may play various roles in such endeavors.

Katie’S Closet: An On-Campus Experiential Learning Project, Julie Nelsen, J. Nelsen, Mary Henderson, Pa Kou Yang

Business Administration Faculty Scholarship

Two faculty and one undergraduate student embarked on an applied learning experience to determine the feasibility of starting a free professional clothing shop for University students called Katie's Closet. All aspects of conceptualizing and testing the Katie's Closet pop-up-store concept began from a feasibility study. With the support of faculty mentors, the undergraduate student researched, analyzed, and executed the project. The action research project started with informational interviews and a focus group for gathering qualitative data on the student population's needs. These findings led to more research to explore potential collaborative partnerships with other University departments. Competitive ...