Empowering Womxn through Clothing at Connecticut College

Womxns Clothing Boutique Audrey McCarron, Lisa Torres, Lindsay Salvati, Alyssa Pietz, & Katelyn McGrail

Problem Statement Aiming to address the need for affordable and easily accessible clothes on campus Most impacted by this problem: International students and/or students who live in a different weather environment than what Conn experiences Students who are unable to afford clothes for an event at Conn Students who do not have access to transportation Evidence that proves this problem exists: Interviews with students who have talked about experiences where they were in need and had to make do with what they had Experiences of students who did not have winter clothes on campus when it snowed Working together to empower womxn at Connecticut College through clothes!

Solution How does your solution effectively address this problem? Things to consider: What does your venture actually do? Our venture wants to bring a service to Connecticut College that allows those that are in need of clothing, whether that be for a specific event (interview attire, floralia, tent dance etc.) while they are at Conn and do not have the means to get those pieces of clothing elsewhere. Whom does your solution support and how? This solution supports everyone on Conn s campus. This is because even if you are not in need of clothing, but have clothing that is in good, used condition that you are looking to give it a new home - you can bring it to this space and allow others to enjoy it as much as you had. What does your venture enable that wasn t possible for your target customer/beneficiary before? It enables those in need of certain clothing pieces to have access to a place to look and see if there is any available for use right on campus so it has easy, timely access.

Team Who makes up your team and how do you each contribute to this venture? Lisa Torres: In-charge of communicating with The Look Magazine and collaborate on a blog with advice on what to wear, clothing tips, sustainable brands, resources on campus, etc. Lindsay Salvati: In charge of event planning and organizing, i.e. running the boutique and facilitating storage and movement of clothing to location of event Katelyn McGrail: Also in charge of event planning, organizing, setting up the space, moving clothing, working in the store. Audrey McCarron: I am in charge of organizing/sorting through the incoming clothing that people bring to our venture for others that are in need. Alyssa Pietz: In charge of organizing/sorting through the clothing along with the financial aspect of the business.

Business Model Canvas Our key suppliers are Conn College students & retail brands We are acquiring clothes from them We are requiring help from ConnColl Career Center, Womxn s Center, & The Look Magazine Communication with partners & school resources Survey and interviews w/ student body Helper relationship/ support & guidance Maintaining a blog w/ updated information Workers to support clients and collect/organize clothes A space to ask questions Clothes that support the hustle of life (e.g. winter clothes, professional clothes) Education on what to wear Accessible clothes at a low-rent cost for a one-time thing Womxn on campus People who need guidance on outfit wear Most important customers are those in need on clothes for certain occasions Students (mainly international & low-income Blog for campus Local location on campus Renting or swapping clothes A space on campus Personnel A blog Renting a space to store our things can cost money Paying personnel to maintain the blog, to deal with the money, to receive and organize donations, and to support customers Customers prefer to pay with cash or venmo Low-cost for renting clothes on campus Easier & more accessible than fast fashion brands Customers tend to shop online but prefer to try-on the clothes

Venture Validation How did your team begin to validate your business hypotheses and what did you learn? In our interview process, we began asking our peers at Conn and those who we are close with. After getting validation from them, we sought out administrators, deans, and others who may be able to help with our venture. By asking our peers, we were looking to to get the validation that this idea would be beneficial on campus and if they would use this service. We, also, wanted to see who are potential buyers and donors could be and what they would be most interested in seeing sold. As for the others, we were trying to get a backing from those who could help us make our business idea into a reality. We thought that feedback would help us decide what would be most beneficial to sell at the store. We thought it would allow us to grow our idea to fit the needs at Conn. Along with this, we wanted to see where this could be on campus, who would help us out, etc.

Main Risks Which areas of your business model canvas are you the least certain of? The biggest risk our team faces is a physical risk. With the recent circumstances, as of now, our team would not be able to set up a store on campus given the closure of Connecticut College. Also, we run the risk of not being able to find an actual space on campus to set up. Jeannette Williams, the Associate Director of Student Engagement/New Student Programs expressed her concern upon meeting with her that there is no place on campus for us to open. She also stated she doesn t think there is a need for such a store on campus. What other risks remain and how would you rank them? 1. Would have relied on the moving out process for many donations. Opening in the fall, could mean limited donations as students are just moving in. 2. Cost continues to be a risk -if we are donation base and sell clothing at a significantly discounted price, we may not have the funds to pay employees, or even rent a space. 3. Current economic conditions may restrict growth opportunities -how much people donate. Could be a plus for those who are less fortunate and will be in need of clothing though.