By JESSALYN KIRCHHOFF
Tiger Media Network
Today from 11 am to 2 pm, Student Engagement will host its second annual Student Small Business Market in the Quad. The Small Business Market will take place at the same time as Ag Day on the Quad to gather more attraction and foot-traffic for both events.
Director of Student Engagement Jaden Rahe provides a brief description of the event.
“The Small Business Market is a farmer’s market type ‘vibe,’ but for FHSU students,” Rahe said. “We have talented students here at Fort Hays and we wanted to provide them with a space to sell and show off those talents. The only requirement to sign up was that students must be a currently enrolled FHSU student.”
While this is only the second year that Student Engagement is hosting their Small Business Market, Rahe emphasizes that it is a goal of the office to continue the tradition each year within the spring semester.
“Originally, this event came about due to the fact that student workers in the office shared that they had classmates that sold some amazing items outside of their school work for some extra cash, but that they struggled to break into new markets and sell to people outside of their friend groups,” Rahe said. “Besides, who does not love a good craft fair? So, we made it happen here on campus.”
As for what people attending the Student Small Business Market and Ag Day on the Quad, Rahe gives some insight.
“Guests can expect to purchase items, learn about the agriculture business, receive free food, and enjoy some tunes,” Rahe said. “Additionally, for anyone interested in purchasing some items, I would recommend cash.”
Rahe goes on to mention that as of right now, the form for businesses to sell is closed so as to provide Student Engagement with enough time to gather the supplies that were needed, but that this year, they had 11 students signed up for tables.
Further, Rahe explains the main purpose of hosting the event as well as what Student Engagement hopes to achieve through this endeavor.
“The main purpose of the event is to promote our students and their small businesses that they manage to run while still attending school,” Rahe said. “We are also hoping to build a stronger sense of community at FHSU through providing this opportunity. Our overall goal is to help these students raise awareness for their small business.”
Rahe highlights the overall benefit of events like these.
“I believe that events like this provide a space for students and community to come together to support one another and that if we can provide an opportunity the benefit of community naturally happens,” Rahe said.
More information on the event can be found on its TigerLink page https://tigerlink.fhsu.edu/event/9729681.