Entrepreneurs at Student Made

The Idea Bank of downtown Troy has launched a new initiative: Student Made Troy.

Student Made is a business initiative that encourages student entrepreneurs to open their businesses by offering them an online storefront to sell their items. The initiative has promoted student businesses in 14 college campuses across the country.

Troy is the latest to join the ranks with Student Made Troy. Troy University will also be the first physical storefront of the initiative.

Jessica Roberts, a senior interdisciplinary studies major from Tallahassee, Florida, has opened a boutique for women’s clothing and accessories, called Jaxon Lane Boutique.

“I started my business right after COVID-19 hit with graduation money I saved up,” Roberts said. “It started as making sweatshirts and t-shirts for friends and family and then turned into getting my wholesale license and business license.”

After starting online, her business has grown beyond that. In addition to an online storefront, Roberts takes Jaxon Lane Boutique across the southeast to different pop-up shops and markets in many cities, including Troy, Alabama, Tallahassee, Florida, and Jacksonville, Florida.

She has also expanded her product line and introduced a new concept to her store: a trucker hat bar. In addition to selling clothes at pop-ups, the trucker hat bar is sometimes also set up.

At the hat bar, people first pick a hat and then pick patches they want ironed onto it, making a custom accessory. According to the Jaxon Lane website, the hat bar is also available to rent for birthday parties, office events, bridal parties, sorority events and any other celebrations.

With all the products Roberts offers the community, she is ready to get her business into the Student Made store.

“I’m most excited for the opportunity to meet other creators through the program and to get the opportunity to sell my products in a brick-and-mortar storefront,” Roberts said.

The Student Made program is just getting started on a journey to help student entrepreneurs at Troy University. The Student Made Troy storefront will be located at the Idea Bank in the downtown Troy square.

The grand opening ceremony will be on September 20 at 11:30 a.m. Shoppers will get to browse all the businesses created by students, as well as meet the creators.

Students can still get involved with Student Made by messaging their Instagram account @studentmade_troy.