The University of Minnesota Alumni Association has officially launched Minnesota Alumni Market, believed to be the first alumni-maker online store to sell only products created by alumni-owned businesses.
The market can be accessed at MNAlumniMarket.com and will feature everything from home goods to books, apparel and even unique product lines. It brings alumni-created products together within one shopping environment, so that it's easy for alumni and friends to identify and purchase them, while helping fellow alumni connect and support each other and the Alumni Association in a non-traditional way.
“The Alumni Association works hard to create opportunities for alumni to continue succeeding after graduation,” said Lisa Lewis, President and CEO of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. “The Alumni Market gives everyone who loves the U a way to support the work of alumni creators, provides an opportunity for established alumni entrepreneurs to extend their reach, and helps new alumni entrepreneurs launch their businesses.”
The Minnesota Alumni Market was created in partnership with Jessen Media, a product development and marketing company owned by U of M alumnus Mark Jessen, who graduated from the U in 1985 with a B.A. degree in Political Science.
“As a graduate of the U and a business owner, I look for opportunities to support my fellow alumni entrepreneurs,” said Mark Jessen. “Jessen Media is proud to partner with the Alumni Association in providing a platform that helps raise awareness about alumni-created products and makes it easy to purchase them.”
While some products in the market are created by established, well-known businesses, others are created by alumni who are just entering the market and can use assistance in building momentum. Profiles of each alumni maker currently participating in the market can be found on the store’s website.
A percentage of the sales from the market will be donated to the Alumni Association and will go toward programs, services, and events alumni have indicated are most important to them.
“For the Alumni Association to help launch me and give my products some push is a real game-changer for me,” said Jonathan Johnson, a 2009 U of M graduate whose Homegrown t-shirts will be sold in the alumni market.
About the University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA)
Founded in 1904, the University of Minnesota Alumni Association connects alumni with each other, supports student success and advances the University of Minnesota. 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 all 477,000 alumni of the Twin Cities campus share a sense of belonging to our vibrant global community of learners, makers and doers. Learn more at www.UMNAlumni.org or call 612-624-2323 or 800-862-5867.
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