Exploring the Minnesota Alumni Market: A Hub for Entrepreneurship and Community
The MN Alumni Market stands as a unique testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and diverse expertise within the University of Minnesota (U of M) alumni community. Founded on the desire to help alumni businesses gain exposure, it has grown from a small initiative to a thriving ecosystem supporting hundreds of ventures. More than just a marketplace, it's a celebration of dedication, passion, and the pursuit of dreams, connecting alumni entrepreneurs with a supportive network and showcasing their products and services to a global audience.
The Genesis and Growth of the MN Alumni Market
The MN Alumni Market originated from a desire to help alumni businesses gain exposure in the U of M alumni community. Starting in 2017 with just 14 businesses, it has blossomed to support over 200 alumni businesses, attracting shoppers from around the globe. This growth highlights the increasing recognition and value placed on supporting small businesses and fostering a strong alumni network. The MN Alumni Market was recognized as one of the top stores on Shopify in 2020, further solidifying its position as a successful platform for alumni entrepreneurs.
A Multifaceted Platform for Alumni Engagement
The MN Alumni Market is more than just an online store; it's a comprehensive platform designed to connect alumni, support their businesses, and foster a sense of community. In addition to the retail aspect, the Market features a directory where users can search for alumni businesses using a variety of filters, including business type, college, location, and special features such as alumni discounts or woman-owned status. This multifaceted approach ensures that the Market caters to a wide range of needs and interests within the alumni community.
The University of Minnesota Alumni Association: A Foundation of Support
Founded in 1904, the University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) serves as the backbone of the MN Alumni Market. The Alumni Association advocates for the University and its alumni with a credible, independent, and collaborative voice. Members make Alumni Association programs strong and ensure that nearly a half a million alumni of the Twin Cities campus share a sense of belonging to our vibrant global community of learners, makers and doers. The UMAA develops authentic, two-way relationships to support the University and serve the alumni community through various initiatives such as recruiting and mentoring students, providing internships, advocating with lawmakers, and fostering a sense of pride and connection among alumni.
The UMAA's Impact and Reach
The UMAA's extensive reach is evident in its vast network of alumni. Of the 622,000 U of M System Alumni Worldwide, 62% live in Minnesota. A significant portion of these alumni actively engages with the University, demonstrating the strength of the UMAA's efforts in fostering alumni involvement. The McNamara Alumni Center serves as a central hub for alumni activities and events, further solidifying the UMAA's role as a vital resource for the University community.
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Unique Opportunities for Alumni Entrepreneurs
The Alumni Market offers alumni opportunities unmatched by any other university in the nation. The University of Minnesota Alumni Market, founded in 2017 with 14 businesses, has expanded to a massive coalition of over 170 alumni businesses and services both online and in-store at the McNamara Alumni Center. From apparel and travel items to services like career coaching, the Alumni Market features a diverse range of offerings, catering to a wide array of interests and needs. This unique platform provides alumni entrepreneurs with invaluable exposure and access to a supportive community.
Building a Community of Support
Lisa Lewis, president and CEO of the University’s Alumni Association (UMAA), said the market connects alumni businesses and allows them to build a community of support while showcasing new products and services. The UMAA is the only organization with this type of market in the country. "We are building this extraordinary, loyal and large alumni community that is going to hold this university in a good place for the rest of their lives," Lewis said. This sense of community is further emphasized by Lisa Huber, the vice president of marketing and business development at the Alumni Association, who highlights the market's focus on supporting small businesses and showcasing the "humans behind these businesses."
Alumni Entrepreneurs Sharing Their Experiences
Umut Kaplan, an alumni entrepreneur whose business, Coccinella, is featured in the market, expressed his gratitude for the networking events, stating, "You get to interact with people to share about your business, and that has been wonderful." Coccinella shares the traditions of the Mediterranean with the United States, selling products like olive oil, textiles, and handcrafted soaps. Junita Flowers, founder of Junita's Jar, a mission-driven cookie company, emphasized the importance of networking in building a successful business, stating, "If you don’t have relationships, then you have just a transactional business that doesn’t go deeper, and you don’t get to serve the mission that your business was set up to serve."
The Impact of Networking and Relationship Building
Kaplan highlighted the market’s impact on building business relationships, stating, "The alumni market opens up all those channels to use where we can get to build those relationships. It is a direct impact for success, like the growth of our business." According to Flowers, being part of the market has opened doors that have allowed her to build relationships and do business beyond the market itself. These testimonials underscore the importance of the MN Alumni Market as a platform for fostering connections and driving business growth.
Expanding Beyond Retail: A Comprehensive Support System
The MN Alumni Market at the U of M Alumni Association has expanded beyond retail to support all alumni entrepreneurs! The Market is the only place where you can find U of M alumni businesses and services in one location. From solar installation, printing services, career coaching, breweries and so much more, the Market is here to connect you to alumni entrepreneurs around the world. This expansion demonstrates the Market's commitment to providing a comprehensive support system for alumni entrepreneurs, regardless of their industry or business model.
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Opportunities for Alumni Engagement
The MN Alumni Market offers various avenues for alumni to engage with the platform and support their fellow entrepreneurs:
- SEARCH: Search Minnesota alumni entrepreneurs and their businesses.
- SHOP: Shop the MN Alumni Market for exclusive goods and gifts made by alumni-owned businesses.
- GET LISTED: Get your business or service in front of 510K+ alumni who want to support you!
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