Venture name:
Jewelry Sale
Chapters:
Ohio State, Cal Poly, UC-Berkeley, Juniata
Date and time:
Of Planning & Preparation (OSU):
“In order to prepare for the sale, we started planning six weeks in advance. Six weeks before the venture, the jewelry was ordered. The following week, a doodle was sent out to pick a day and time to host the venture. Four weeks out, we reserved the space to sell the jewelry and the following week the event was announced to the general body. Next, a week before the sale, a sign-up sheet was passed around the meeting for volunteers to sign up. Lastly, the day before the sale, a reminder email/text was sent out to all the volunteers.
Of Sale(s) (OSU):
“The Ohio State Chapter has found it most successful to keep the sales consistent and recurring. For example, once we realized most of our members could volunteer on Mondays, we held the jewelry sale every other Monday. We also found staying in the same building (Hagerty Hall) allowed customers to recognize our organization and bring money with them to the next sale.”
Description:
(OSU) “We purchase Fair Trade Jewelry from Grassroots Uganda Trade Prints Inc. for a discount. We then sell the products for face value on campus and to the surrounding community. The products we sell include various coin necklaces, earrings and bracelets, as well as paper bead necklaces and bracelets. The OSU chapter sold the jewelry in buildings on campus. Hagerty Hall was the most successful because it has heavy foot traffic, we set the table up in front of the café, and Hagerty Hall is the language building, targeting the right clientele. In addition, we have been mildly successful selling the jewelry online and in our catalog and successfully sold at global gallery farmers markets. This targets the off-campus customers, as well as family members. The sales took place every other week, for about 5 hours each time. We had to find the right location to sell and make sure we the right amount of product and an efficient number of volunteers. Many places on campus were unsuccessful due to targeting the wrong clientele, or being charged to set up a table. Since we get the jewelry from Grassroots Uganda Trade Prints Inc., it was vital we ordered in time and took inventory of which products were the biggest sellers. This specific venture is appealing to Nourish because it’s socially conscious, since it supports a grassroots organization located in Uganda. It appeals to the customers because the pieces are unique, correctly priced, and make great gifts for friends and family.”
Marketing:
(OSU) “Marketing is definitely something the Ohio State Chapter could improve. We mostly marketed at other ventures and by telling possible customers that we would be back in two weeks! Since this venture was year round, the best marketing technique was having a consisten presence in Hagerty Hall and spreading the sale by word of mouth. In addition, most of us own a few pieces of jewelry and get complimented regularly for its uniqueness. This is the perfect plug to tell possible customers when the next sale will take place. In the past, we have printed flyers in the resource room at OSU, but it is not the best method.”
Revenue and Expenses:
(OSU) “Overall, the revenue for the jewelry sale was $122.53. In February, $63.21 was raised, in April we sold $45.00 worth, and in May we only generated $122.53. Our overall expense purchasing the jewelry was $45 for the whole year.”
Profits and Other Benefits of Venture
(OSU) “The profit at the end of the year was $77.53. This is a positive profit, therefore we would consider this venture a success. While it was a very high profit, it was a steady income throughout the year. The benefit to this venture is the scaling potential. If the catalogue and online sales increase, then the profit will also increase.”
Challenges:
(OSU) “While planning isn’t all that difficult, purchasing the products up front is a risk. If the jewelry doesn’t sell then the chapter loses money. The most difficult part of selling at Ohio State is getting responses from management. In order to reserve a place for the sale, we need permission and getting emails back sometimes poses a problem. The other challenge we have faced recently is starting the online page. Having someone who has experience making websites and working with technology is a must!
We overcame these challenges by sending out many emails to different people until we got a response. Luckily, the jewelry sale has been a success so we haven’t lost money ordering the products up-front. Lastly, we worked as a team to tackle the website. One nourish member had experience making web pages and was able to finish the final touches.”
Tips:
(OSU) “The biggest tip we can give is to make the location consistent. This allows customers to recognize Nourish International and potential customers know the next opportunity to purchase the jewelry. Try to extend to the community off campus. These individuals usually have more money and are willing to buy unique jewelry.”
Would you recommend to other chapters?
(OSU) “This is a great venture for all year round. If it is done correctly, it is a stable venture to count on to make deadlines and goals. There is definitely a need to manage the products and order them in time. In addition, a dedicated group of volunteers is needed to work the table every other week. The most important reason this venture is a good idea is because it helps fund the women in Uganda who make the jewelry.”
Contact info:
OSU: Ventures Directors, Anna (madrishin.1@osu.edu) and Leah (greiner.78@buckeyemail.osu.edu)
Nourish Staff: Maxie (maxie@nourish.org) and Grace (grace@nourish.org
