By Monty Siekerman
An entirely ONU student-run business has been successful, both financially and as a learning experience. Founded in 2010, Polar Merchandise has a team typically between 5-12 students. Their goal? To provide their customers with custom promotional products at low prices.
Company associates are looking to expand their sales territory beyond campus by encouraging local companies and service organizations to buy from them. Polar Merchandise, offers t-shirts, key chains, cups, frisbees, and more. In fact, they have access to over a million of promotional products and apparel items.
Polar Merchandise sells bulk orders to any organization, business, or team, such as Rotary, Kiwanis, VFW, Ada High School students and alumni, sponsors of walks and runs, and local businesses looking for items for employees or as a promotion.
Need graphic design help? No problem. The company has a graphic design team that will work with you to make your logo special, all at no cost.
The business has existed for eight years, helping ONU students gain practical experience as well as giving back to the college. Polar Merchandise is a nonprofit so that any profit earned is given back: 10 percent to the university and 10 percent to the business college. Their sales goal this year is $65,000.
The staff prides itself on excellent customer service, low prices, and a professional demeanor. They try to relate what they learn in their business courses back to Polar Merchandise on a daily basis. Many of the employees are also involved in extracurriculars, such as Greek life, professional organizations, varsity and club athletics, and other groups on campus.
Polar Merchandise fully trains and mentors their employees as they join the team. They added 4 more to their team during the fall semester.
To contact Polar Merchandise, check out their website at PolarMerchandise.com or contact [email protected].
(Front) Senior JJ Fortner, Junior Cheyenne Eldridge, Senior Cory Lains, Senior Anna Niemeyer, Junior Katie Kurtz, Senior Ali Johnson, Senior Brandon Emert. (Back) Sophomore Ethan Flemming, Sophomore Kyle Neff, Senior Chris Garbig, Junior Mitchell Frisby, Sophomore John Sternasty, Sophomore Bayley Boston.
