ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEPARTMENT

Merchandise Ordering Process

Merchandise is regularly ordered once a month.
Recent order was a replenishment of standard items, e.g., maze pens and t-shirts.
Popular items are reordered approximately three times a year based on demand.
- Analysis of which items sold most and color preferences.
- Example: Blue t-shirts were unpopular; green was more favored, leading to more green options being ordered.
Design is generally consistent, utilizing the Lily logo and sometimes taglines.

New merchandise is often prompted by events or programs.
- Example: Entrepreneurship minor celebration led to new merchandise creation.
- Merchandise acts as free advertising and fosters community involvement.
Design process includes collaboration with in-house team or student groups like Rice Design.
- Designs can be created by team members, assisted by ChatGPT, or developed by students.
Custom Ink is a preferred vendor for producing merchandise due to speed and quality.

Major challenges include timelines and potential vendor issues.
- Example: An order being late despite rush payments led to facilitated refunds.
Design process is usually seamless with internal team and clear guidance provided to external students.
Successful merchandise items stand out due to customization options.
- Example: T-shirts that allowed students to customize their designs were highly popular.
- Ensuring a variety of sizes and styles is critical for customization success.
Ongoing popular items include the interactive maze pens, which engage users more than typical items.