School of Business Administration
UD Forever Homes: Crafting Memories That Last a Lifetime
In MGT 220:Entrepreneurship Sophomore Experience, Stella Hermann created a microbusiness phenomenon that resonates deeply with current students and alums – UD Forever Homes. This unique venture aims to offer a tangible memento, immortalizing the cherished houses that define the student neighborhood and the Chapel on the UD campus.
MGT 220/221. Entrepreneurship Sophomore Experience is a required course for all Entrepreneurship Majors taught by Associate Director and SBA Lecturer Kat Cordier at the Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership within the Hub Powered by PNC Bank. The course immerses Entrepreneurship majors in the dynamics of initiating and managing a micro-business.
The inspiration for UD Forever Homes struck Stella when she realized the absence of customized products celebrating the distinctive houses that characterize the University of Dayton's student neighborhood. UD Forever Homes offers an array of products featuring intricate sketch designs of UD's iconic houses. Each item is a testament to the bond between students and their alma mater, from coasters and stickers to ornaments and canvases. What sets Forever Homes apart is the option to personalize a canvas with the image of their own Dayton house, allowing individuals to immortalize their University of Dayton memories in a truly unique and meaningful way.
"I want to be an entrepreneur because I want to make positive changes in the world," Stella explains. "I have always been a curious person, always asking the question "why," and have always enjoyed thinking outside of the box and changing processes to be more efficient and ethical. "
Stella is joined by fellow sophomore entrepreneurship majors, Briael Pounds, in charge of operations; Mason Witte, handling accounting; and Camille Walch, covering marketing.
"Stella and her team are capturing and showcasing what makes UD student life unique with their UD Forever Homes products, " shares Kat Cordier. "Their home decor creations signify joyous memories that have been made in the homes of students and alumni over the years. Estelle's passion and the efforts of the student micro-business emphasize the broader purpose of entrepreneurship as a tool for positive impact and meaningful change."
For Stella and her team, entrepreneurship is not just about running a business; it's about fostering connections and creating lasting memories. UD Forever Homes fosters connections and creates lasting memories. They offer a bridge between the past and the present, connecting generations of Flyers through the shared experience of calling UD home. As current students and alums explore the Forever Homes collection, they acquire beautifully crafted products and celebrate the spirit of community and belonging at the University of Dayton.
UD Forever Homes Mission
"I want to be an entrepreneur because I want to make positive changes in the world," Stella explains. "I have always been a curious person, always asking the question "why," and have always enjoyed thinking outside of the box and changing processes to be more efficient and ethical. "