The Kansas City Kansas Community College Bookstore and Workforce Development are betting on the resourcefulness of the college's students with a new and innovative initiative called KCKCC MADE.
In partnering together, the Bookstore and the college's Workforce Development Division (WFD) have created a vehicle for products made by KCKCC students, faculty, and staff to be sold through the Bookstore.
"KCKCC MADE will provide a gateway for students, faculty, and staff to sell the great products that they create and give these entrepreneurs the chance they may not have otherwise," says Marisa Gray, KCKCC Business Liaison and co-organizer of KCKCC MADE. “KCKCC MADE ensures that the appropriate resources and support services are available and makes certain valuable entrepreneurial and business start-up lessons are learned.”
All products sold by KCKCC MADE will go through a selection process which includes a meeting with a WFD representative and a comprehensive and confidential consulting session with a Kansas Small Business Development Center consultant. Applications may be requested by emailing KCKCCMADE@kckcc.edu.
Products available will include artwork, furniture, clothing, toys, photography and much more. Students, faculty, and staff who are selected to have their products sold through KCKCC MADE will receive 70 percent of the sales collected.
The team of KCKCC MADE is guiding talent through the retail process.
"It is important to promote individual innovation and entrepreneurship in academics as part of our strategy for spreading entrepreneurial thinking across the KCKCC campus," said Dr. Marvin Hunt, Dean of Business and Continuing Education. "KCKCC MADE promotes KCKCC, our students, and their creative work through a real-world retail situation."
A ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening will be held Friday, April 5, from 1:30 pm-1:45 pm in the Bookstore and is open to the public. "We want to provide an opportunity for students to learn about the realities of retail without all of the risks," said John Burright, Director of Bookstore operations.
Persons wishing further information or to submit products for KCKCC MADE consideration should contact Workforce Development Coordinator Jay Matlack at 913-288-7210 or KCKCCMADE@kckcc.edu.
