New Business Club Co-Curricular takes over Hot Shot Café
A new co-curricular program at 博天堂官方 is helping business students learn the ins-and-outs
of operating a small business.
The Business Club Co-curricular is now managing the Hot Shot Café, a coffee shop on campus which
has been in operation since 2003, and previously run by the Student Leadership office
to serve as a fundraiser for the LB Lunch Box program.
The Business Department came up with the idea to use the café as a business lab of
sorts, offering a unique, real-world experience to prepare students to work in all
aspects of running a business.
Students in the Business Club support the day-to-day operations of the Hot Shot, which
currently employs a student manager and several student baristas through talent grants.
Business faculty Mindy Bean serves as club advisor.
As a co-curricular, the club needs to be tied in some way to education, said Bean.
“There’s a real-world application to the Business Club, and students are gaining hands-on
skill sets that will help them down the road,” said Bean. “Co-curricular programs
need to connect with our classes, and in this case the classes and projects connect
to the Hot Shot Café.”
For example, marketing class students will work on developing a marketing plan for
the Hot Shot. Members of the Business Club will then study the plan and decide if
they want to implement it.
Currently, students are researching how to bring a new, more modern look to the café,
which could include everything from fresh paint and décor, to new furniture and flooring,
said Bean. Students are also working on an inventory management system to help track
what the café owns, business costs, and future needs.
Any interested student can participate in the Business club, even if they are unable
to attend meetings or are not a business major, said Bean.
The Hot Shot Café serves a variety of coffee drinks along with Italian sodas, tea and other non-coffee
beverages. Profits from sales will continue to go to the LB Lunch Box program, which serves students in need by providing free grocery items.
The café is currently open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the term, and offers comfortable
chairs and tables, Wi-Fi and two computers available for student use. Students are
welcome to hang out, enjoy a beverage, do homework, listen to music, or just relax
with friends.
For more information on the Business Club Co-curricular or to join, contact club advisor Mindy Bean: beanm@eedsnljs.com