Throughout the semester, students in Trisha Shrum’s Introduction to Community Entrepreneurship class could be seen around campus selling everything from puppy cuddles to freshly squeezed juice.

The course, a requirement for all community entrepreneurship majors at UVM, introduces the theory, practices, and strategies used to develop and operate a social enterprise through first-hand experience. By creating and launching their own pop-up businesses, students are introduced to critical skills such as financial management, marketing, and human resource management and learn the fundamental elements of the business planning process. In addition, they explore the connections between entrepreneurship, social welfare, and community development and discover the important roles social entrepreneurs can play by promoting a lively, vibrant community.

"The application of the theory of practice is the heart of this course," states Shrum, assistant professor in the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics. "By using a unique hands-on learning approach, students apply their classroom learning to the challenge of creating and operating their own business. Working in teams, students discover the rewards and challenges of entrepreneurship while supporting a local community organization in the greater Burlington area."

Collectively, the students' pop-up enterprises raised nearly $3,000 for local nonprofits over the semester. Read below to learn more about a few of them. 

Dog Days

Dog Days partnered with Therapy Dogs of Vermont to bring puppy love to UVM’s Davis Green. With a $5 donation, passing students on campus could find happiness and smiles with a visit among certified therapy dogs, supply the dogs with treats, and take pictures beside their new furry friends. The proceeds were donated to Therapy Dogs of Vermont, a nonprofit of highly trained dogs and their volunteer handlers that aim to connect people with dogs and show what can be accomplished with love, training, and the desire to help others.

Student entrepreneurs: Ella Ferguson, Cole Hathaway, Rose Kaufmann, Cassidy Keefe, Lillyanna Mccue, Matthew Richardson, Atti Shepherd, Bryce Williams

Apple A Day

Apple A Day brought a taste of fall to campus through their business that provides students with locally made apple snacks. With snacks ranging from apple slices with peanut butter, hot apple cider, apple cider donuts, and caramel apples, the Apple A Day team offered products to students that were not only convenient and affordable but supported local farmers. The group created snacks using local products such as Champlain Orchard Apple Cider and Chapin Orchard apples to bring visibility of local farms to campus. All proceeds were donated to the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont. This organization promotes organic practices to build an economically viable, ecologically sound, and socially just Vermont agricultural system.

Student entrepreneurs: Nick Alviti, Ethan Cruz, Billy Dixon III, Noah Eskenazi, Jake Quilty, Colin Sharkey, Ben Stinebiser

Community Café

“Feed yourself, feed your community,” is the motto for the students behind Community Café. Community Cafe sold day-old products from local bakeries like Willow's Bagels, August First, Feldman’s, and Burlington Bagel Bakery, helping to alleviate food waste and raise money to assist Feeding Chittenden in combating food insecurity. The team collaborated with local businesses to supply students on campus with local bagels and pastries to help raise awareness of food insecurity and fund Feeding Chittenden, a local nonprofit that works to alleviate hunger. Feeding Chittenden is the largest direct service emergency food provider in Vermont and serves over 12,000 people each year with their donations.

Student entrepreneurs: Anna Meli, Bella Bonneau, Gabby Griffin-Leon, Cody Godfrey, Michael Caamano, Sam Alleva, Connor Cederholm, Elizabeth Wideawake