Undergrads parlay business acumen into United Way fundraising

Beedie first year students displaying their entrepreneurial talents at the 2011 Market on the Mezz event

A group of Beedie School of Business first year students will put their business innovation skills on display next week in the third annual SFU Market on the Mezz.

The event, part of the BusOne program at SFU’s Beedie School of Business, will see the students utilizing their newfound business acumen by promoting and selling a product or service of their own creation in order to raise funds for the United Way.

The Market on the Mezz will be held on November 6 from 11am – 2pm at the SFU Surrey campus mezzanine. The event is open to the public, with all proceeds from sales going to the United Way, for which a total of $3750 was raised at last year’s event.

Products on offer from the students will include Japanese-style hand-warmers, SFU-branded T-shirts, and a wide variety of baked goods, as well as novelty photo booths, games and raffles.

Now in its third year of operation, the BusOne program provides support to first year students as they transition from high school to university through a series of weekly workshops designed to introduce them to the numerous extra-curricular opportunities available within the Beedie School of Business.

The workshops focus on academic, personal and social growth, covering topics such as career exploration, cooperative education and international opportunities, among others. The workshops also feature guest speakers from SFU services such as the Career Management Centre and Venture Connection.

“The Market on the Mezz is a fantastic opportunity for our first year students to practice the business skills they have gained so far in a real life setting while raising money for a worthwhile cause at the same time,” says Casey Dorin, Executive Director, undergraduate programs. “At the Beedie School of Business we are immensely proud of the BusOne program we have developed to support our students as they transition into university life, and we look forward to seeing the students showcase their entrepreneurial talents.”

For more information about the BusOne program, visit https://beedie.sfu.ca/welcome/busone/.