This semester, the McDonald Entrepreneurship Lab rolled out Bear Box, a care package service for students. Three times each fall and spring semester, recipients receive curated goodies, including limited-edition apparel, snacks and Mo State merch. The items arrive — like a big Bear hug — in a cheery, maroon box.

Dana Frederick, senior instructor in the management department, says the idea’s been in development for a few years. Students in one of his entrepreneurship classes workshopped it. Earlier this year, the project received funding for prototype boxes from the office of assessment and accreditation. Frederick and Janeen Michalak, academic administrative assistant in the management department, brought these prototypes to SOAR sessions, where they connected with parents who were happy to subscribe. Now, students who receive Bear Boxes get thoughtful packages, and students who work on the project build solid skills in running a business.

The Bear Box Story

Students in two courses play key roles in the Bear Box process. In Principles of Management (MGT 340), student teams suggest care package items. “Each team proposes items for a specific box,” Frederick says. “They have to cost the items out and figure out the best place for us to source them.” And in Principles of Entrepreneurship (ENT 301), students manage orders, packaging and distribution — “the back-end side of the business,” Frederick says.

Throughout the process, students get to flex their creative problem-solving skills. For example, they had to figure out the best way to reach parents, whether through postal mail, email, social media, QR codes or a combination of efforts. When it came time to assemble the care packages, Frederick says, “A couple of our students have jobs in manufacturing, so I enlisted their expertise to organize us. They set up the packing line so that we work in the most efficient, accurate way.” During the package delivery phase, students personally deliver Bear Boxes to recipients who live in residence halls or fraternity/sorority housing. Off-campus recipients can get the packages shipped, or they can arrange a pick-up time at their convenience.

At every step, Frederick and his students assess the effects on the business. “If someone prefers to pick up their package, what are we saving in shipping costs — just by presenting that option?” he says. “These are the types of questions we’re asking all the time. Because while this isn’t explicitly a marketing, logistics or accounting class, it’s entrepreneurship. We do it all.”

“While this isn’t explicitly a marketing, logistics or accounting class, it’s entrepreneurship. We do it all.”

—Dana Frederick

What’s Next

Frederick has big plans for the Bear Box program. “We’re looking at the enrollment goals of the university’s strategic plan, and we want to mirror that growth,” he says. “Our goal is to have so many Bear Box subscribers that we’re not only covering our costs; we’re also creating significant scholarships from the revenue.” He sees it as a cycle of opportunity. Students get experiential learning by working with Bear Box. Their talent and hard work make the business successful, which creates more opportunities for more students.

And there’s potential for additional product lines. Mo State-branded coffee is currently in the final stages of development; Frederick believes it’s a natural fit for Bear alums who crave a caffeinated connection to their alma mater. Other products — candy, Bear sauce, dog treats (which Frederick calls “Bear Bones”) — are in the ideation phase. Each could become its own line of business, powered by its own team of students who get a real taste of entrepreneurship.

“That’s priority No. 1,” he says. “Even beyond our commitment to creating great products, we want to give students those priceless opportunities.”

About That Grant From Assessment and Accreditation…

Frederick applied for grant funding from the office of assessment and accreditation. With the award, he purchased prototype boxes that helped prospective customers grasp Bear Box’s potential. Essentially, it was a proof of concept and a key step in bringing this experiential learning opportunity to life.

Mark Woolsey, director of assessment and accreditation, tells us his office was excited to support the development of the Bear Box service — it’s what the grants are designed for.

“These grants are a small but meaningful way for the university to support faculty’s work in improving student learning, especially when it helps them try something they might not otherwise be able to do,” Woolsey says. “Hopefully, it demonstrates how our office can be a true partner and resource for faculty.”

To learn more about grant opportunities from the office of assessment and accreditation, visit the assessment grants webpage.