Emma Kesler
Major: Cultural Entrepreneurship
UROP: Food Business Enterprise Center
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Aparna Katre, Department of World Languages & Cultures
What do you think is unique about your major?
I love that cultural entrepreneurship explores many different learning topics, which gives students an excellent platform to dive deeper into their areas of interests.
How does your major fit into your life goals?
Cultural entrepreneurship allows me to pursue many different career paths since it enhances my knowledge of practical skills and creative solutions.
Briefly describe the details of your research project.
Sophia Duhn and I have been contracted by Zeitgeist to develop a business plan for the Food Business Enterprise Center (FBEC) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Over the past 8-9 months we have comprised a 30-page business plan and a 23-page financial workbook for potential investors to use a starting point. The FBEC would be comprised of four entities: commercial kitchens, dry/cold/freezer storage, storefront anchor tenant, and a grocer/market. The Lincoln Park Food Business Enterprise Center will strive to increase constant access to fresh food, provide entrepreneurial infrastructure, and encourage local food production which will stimulate both individual growth and economic development within Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.
How has the Undergraduate Research Opportunity (UROP) that you participated in enhanced or complemented the education you received in your major at UMD?
UROP offers a unique opportunity to show off our project that we have spent months working on. It will be fun to showcase our idea next to projects that vary in topics and audiences.
What were the most valuable aspects of your UROP experience?
UROP offers a great addition platform to present our project.