Investing in Entrepreneurship

Students in Claire McClure’s retail entrepreneurship class enjoyed record success this year operating a mobile retailer, Couture a la Cart.

The jazzed up golf cart “pops up” around campus during spring semester selling student-produced merchandise as well as merchandise from Athens area vendors.

Students run all aspects of the business, from sourcing inventory to managing publicity and handling all sales.

With sales totaling more than $6,000 during spring semester, it proved to be the highest-earning season in the cart’s history.

CALC started with a simple push-cart that exclusively sold student-produced merchandise and could only accept cash or checks. Now, credit cards are accepted and new merchandise is added regularly.

“I’m excited the university is moving in a direction of innovation and entrepreneurship and research, and I believe we’re poised to be part of that,” McClure said.