A handful of students are trying to create the sweet smell of success.
They plan to launch a new fragrance called “My 2 Scents.”
Their product idea comes from the M-Reach group, which is a team of students who have partnered with the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
Their merchandise plans include fragrances, body wash and candles.
Group member Kiara Bryant, who is a junior, says they plan to have a variety of fruit scents, from pineapple and strawberry to cherry, peach, lemon and orange.
Bryant says she hopes the school community will support their group by purchasing their products, which they plan to make affordable to all.
One of the best parts about the business venture, says junior group member Andre Pickens, is that the students will get to keep some of their profits. The rest of the proceeds are intended to go back into the business so that they can get more materials to produce more items, Pickens said.
M-Reach is an organization for minority students who are interested in business. It focuses on kids learning how to operate a business and to create business standards. The projects they engage in are intended to help boost leadership and business skills.
For My 2 Scents, each group member will be take on business duties. Group member Mario Ogu says he intends to handle the business end of the fragrance launch.
Group member Raejine Wright says she hopes to design the product labels. “I want to do something colorful and fancy looking in cursive, but I have to get (the group’s) opinion,” says Wright.
Ogu says the University of Michigan gave the group $850 in seed money to start their business. The group is in the process of opening a bank account for their products.
“It will be a while before we actually have a product created,” Wright said.
Group member Bryant says, “M-Reach is a great experience, and it is fun. I learn more things about business because I am going into the business field. Even though we still have to do a lot of work, it is still fun.” Bryant says that from the program she will use the things she learns to start up her own business, and it also helps her get an experience of college life.
Business teacher Erin McBrien is the volunteer teacher in charge of this program. She says she likes this program because it introduces students to colleges, and it helps students learn how to own a business. She also likes the how the University of Michigan encourages minority students to apply for admission into their schools, and she also likes how it helps each student think. “I am here to see that students go to college.”
McBrien says the program encourages kids to become entrepreneurs. That’s her two cents.