By: Yael Even
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – With Valentine’s Day around the corner, a student-run business called Forever Red is selling festive boxes for the third year in a row.
The boxes are available for purchase on the Forever Red e-commerce website for $19.99. They include candy, snacks, chocolate rose, Valentine’s teddy bear, a heart-shaped balloon, and an option of including a personalized message. Faculty Advisor, Carolyn Jean Rodeffer said the target number is to sell 200 boxes.
Forever Red offers free delivery to any dorm, sorority, fraternity, or select apartments. Or the sender may select contact-less pickup for Friday, February 12th between 12 pm to 5 pm at the Brewer Entrepreneurship Hub.
Students Acquiring Knowledge through Enterprise, known as SAKE, is a class offered through the Sam M. Walton College of Business. It’s a two-semester course where students learn the ins and outs of running the business, Forever Red.
The class is split into different groups involving operations, customer service, sales, accounting, and commercialization. Junior Ayla Johnston is part of the operations team where she helps develop the website.
“It’s cool getting real life experience at such a young age,” Johnston said.
Rodeffer said the business funds itself through sales revenues and profits. Initially, the program received money from the Frank and Judy Fletcher Foundation.
From producing the boxes to delivery, Johnston said SAKE does it all. She said is learning how to market their products to students on campus.
“It’s basically taught me what’s it’s going to be like in the real business world,” Johnston said. “It’s really nice being surrounded by people who are so motivated and eager and ready to take on these different tasks.”