With the rise of fast fashion and its now apparent effects on climate change, there is an evident need for change in terms of how we as individuals use our clothing and footwear. Our team has created Ray Fashion Inc., a sustainable footwear company that focuses on implementing the circular economy to reduce the amount of waste generated in shoe creation. We have designed a sandal that accommodates the rapid consumption element of fast fashion with a business model that promotes sustainability through a buy-back method to upcycle and retain our materials.

With the rise of fast fashion and its now apparent effects on climate change, there is an evident need for change in terms of how we as individuals use our clothing and footwear. Our team has created Ray Fashion Inc., a sustainable footwear company that focuses on implementing the circular economy to reduce the amount of waste generated in shoe creation. We have designed a sandal that accommodates the rapid consumption element of fast fashion with a business model that promotes sustainability through a buy-back method to upcycle and retain our materials.

With the rise of fast fashion and its now apparent effects on climate change, there is an evident need for change in terms of how we as individuals use our clothing and footwear. Our team has created Ray Fashion Inc., a sustainable footwear company that focuses on implementing the circular economy to reduce the amount of waste generated in shoe creation. We have designed a sandal that accommodates the rapid consumption element of fast fashion with a business model that promotes sustainability through a buy-back method to upcycle and retain our materials.

This thesis will bring together students to engage in entrepreneurship by finding, measuring and sharing strategic market opportunities. From a student’s perspective, it will take a deep dive into the world of startup ecosystems, markets and trends utilizing both qualitative and quantitative market research techniques. The information gathered has been curated into a productive, meaningful manner, through a report titled “The State of Startups: A Student Perspective.” <br/>The first key theme of this thesis is that market intelligence can be a powerful tool. The second key theme is the power of knowledge implementation towards competitive strategies. The first section of the thesis will focus on identifying and understanding the current “startup” landscape as a basis on which to build strategic and impactful business decisions. This will be accomplished as the team conducts a landscape analysis focused on the student perspective of the student-based North American “entrepreneurial” ecosystem. The second section of the thesis will focus specifically on the personal experiences of student startup founders. This will be accomplished through the analysis of interviews with founders of the startups researched from the first section of the thesis. This will provide us with a direct insight into the student perspective of the student-based North American “entrepreneurial” ecosystem.

Classic & Current is a sustainable e-commerce business that provides affordable, appropriate, and fashion-forward business clothes for college female students. Through customer discovery and market analysis, we have identified a need for trendy, affordable business wear that is tailored to a younger demographic. Our strategy includes a circular component where customers can send back items for a discount on a new piece, which will be listed on “Our Closet,” along with hand-picked, thrifted items exclusively available to verified college students at a lower price point. Classic & Current targets females ages 18-25 who are either college students or young professionals in the United States. Our mission is to provide affordable, fashion-forward, work-appropriate, comfortable, and durable clothing while also addressing sustainability concerns. Our marketing efforts will focus on social media, specifically Instagram and TikTok, using micro-influencers and paid advertisements to push our brand and gain traction. Our financial plan includes seeking funding opportunities through ASU’s entrepreneurship programs. Classic & Current distinguishes itself from competitors by providing unique solutions for sustainability while offering elements of a classic wardrobe and trendy, seasonal items to keep customers current.

Classic & Current is a sustainable e-commerce business that provides affordable, appropriate, and fashion-forward business clothes for college female students. Through customer discovery and market analysis, we have identified a need for trendy, affordable business wear that is tailored to a younger demographic. Our strategy includes a circular component where customers can send back items for a discount on a new piece, which will be listed on “Our Closet,” along with hand-picked, thrifted items exclusively available to verified college students at a lower price point. Classic & Current targets females ages 18-25 who are either college students or young professionals in the United States. Our mission is to provide affordable, fashion-forward, work-appropriate, comfortable, and durable clothing while also addressing sustainability concerns. Our marketing efforts will focus on social media, specifically Instagram and TikTok, using micro-influencers and paid advertisements to push our brand and gain traction. Our financial plan includes seeking funding opportunities through ASU’s entrepreneurship programs. Classic & Current distinguishes itself from competitors by providing unique solutions for sustainability while offering elements of a classic wardrobe and trendy, seasonal items to keep customers current.

The college experience is enlightening, empowering, educational, but can also be overwhelming and stressful. If one investigates the atmosphere at your standard university campus, there is no doubt that all students are exhausted in their own unique way. The various responsibilities and obligations inherent in the academic course load, student organizations, sports teams, and other extracurricular activities that a student commits to fosters this stress. A common pattern, especially among students, is the progression from stress to exhaustion to lack of motivation, or helplessness. The Mayo Clinic published an article stating: “when stress begins to accumulate from negative or challenging events in life that just keep coming, you can find yourself in a state of feeling emotionally worn out and drained” (https://www.facebook.com/MayoClinicHealthSystem, 2020). That being said, the implementation of gamification in the college experience can significantly improve intrinsic motivation within students, thus reducing the stress and exhaustion. Gamification with regards to higher education is the use of game design elements in non-game contexts in order to engage and motivate learners. The primary purpose of gamification is to make learning more fun and interesting, as well as to increase learners’ engagement, motivation, and productivity. Video games and the concept of gamification in general have shown positive signs of relieved anxiety and increased enjoyment in many different aspects of life, such as education. The overarching goal of introducing gamification into the college environment is simple: To increase satisfaction, learning, participation, engagement, and retention among the student population.