FACS students plan and participate in second Maker’s Market April 20
Students from Specialty Markets (FACS 324) and Event Planning (FACS 351) came together to plan, execute and participate in the second Maker’s Market event April 20.
Students in both FACS classes began their semester conducting a gap analysis in an area of their interest to come up with a unique idea for their business. Throughout the semester, they gained practical knowledge by creating the products for their business, doing their own branding and preparing for the Maker’s Market event, which is the culmination of their work.
Building on the foundation of the first Maker’s Market that took place in fall of 2023, the event Saturday morning featured 53 student and community vendors.
The vendors filled the LaHaye Event Space to offer attendees a variety of products, from self-care and home items to locally sourced coffee.
Photo by Brynne Smith
Senior Meg Stepper created a business called Sip and Soak for the event.
Stepper offered attendees personalized self-care baskets at a variety of price points. The idea for her business stemmed from the gap analysis she conducted at the beginning of the semester.
“What I found was there are a lot of luxury items, but you always have to buy a lot of them, and they’re always way too expensive,” Stepper said. “I decided to do my own research, found luxury products that are affordable for students to buy and then decided to put in the customization aspect of it.”
Stepper enjoyed being able to express her creativity throughout the semester.
“My favorite part has been the creative aspect of researching the items and figuring out what will go well together, what people will really like and what the target market will enjoy,” Stepper said. “Also, just the process of putting the bundles together was fun.”
Photo by Brynne Smith
Chelsea Milks, professor of FACS 324 and 351, said that one of her goals for the event was to give students a learning experience that they can carry with them outside of the classroom.
“I like hands-on learning experiences,” Milks said. “I think this is one of the best ways to learn how to work with clients, customers and just generate profits and come up with an idea from start to finish.”
Milks also hopes that the experience of the event will aid students past graduation.
“I hope they take away the practical knowledge and application that they can make something themselves when they graduate,” Milks said.
For more information on the FACS program at Liberty, visit this website.
Smith is the news editor for the Liberty Champion. Follow her on X
