Jessica Boyd of Little Rock, Ark. spent six months completing her University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service final capstone project with Nisolo, an impact-focused fashion label dedicated to providing customers with well-designed, quality products that are sourced in an ethical manner. Boyd successfully developed a campus representative program to promote Nisolo on college campuses nation-wide.
The purpose of the Nisolo Campus Representative Program is to raise awareness about the brand and mission of Nisolo on college campuses. Student representatives will work with Nisolo to promote its products and share its mission with other university students. In addition to being beneficial for Nisolo, the program will benefit students by providing them with opportunities, experiences, and skills that will enhance their resumes and build the foundation for their futures.
Boyd spent one month surveying over 120 university students and conducting eight focus groups with undergrads to determine students’ perception of Nisolo and their motivations for participation in campus programs. Additionally, Boyd spoke with managers of other campus representative programs to determine the best overall strategy for these types of programs.
“We are passionate about the work that we do, and we are incredibly grateful for the fine job Jessica has done with the Campus Representative Program to help us share our passion with others,” said Patrick Woodyard, Co-Founder and CEO of Nisolo. “Our hope is that the program will help to grow our brand and that we’ll provide a great opportunity for students to find their passion while contributing to the social impact Nisolo is having across the world.”
Using the data she collected, Boyd created a campus representative program guide for Nisolo. This guide outlines the short and long-term goals for the program. It also suggests to Nisolo the best strategies for recruiting student representatives. The guide outlines the basic structure of the program, including the weekly and yearly responsibilities for students and for Nisolo. Finally, the program guide includes tools for Nisolo, such as the campus representative application and a basic guide to program evaluation.
Boyd also created a campus representative manual for Nisolo’s student representatives. This manual contains basic information about Nisolo and the program, and provides students with multiple tools they may need during their term as a campus representative. For example, the manual includes sections on social media strategies and suggested events.
“Jessica’s passion for social enterprise, analytical wherewithal, and dedication to this project will serve us well in years to come, Woodyard added. “Our team in the U.S., our shoemakers in Peru, and all of the future students who will benefit from the program certainly owe a big thanks to Jessica.”
Boyd’s research and the resulting campus representative program will help Nisolo to grow as a company so it can increase its impact in Peru and eventually expand its impact across the world.
The Capstone Project is the third of three major field projects in the Clinton School curriculum. Boyd will graduate in August 2014.
About Nisolo
Nisolo is an impact focused fashion label dedicated to providing customers with products that are sourced in an ethical manner. Its current line of handmade leather shoes and accessories is made by exceptionally skilled shoemakers in Northern Peru and is helping its shoemakers to grow out of poverty. One of the main causes of material poverty in the developing world is a lack of a consistent job or livelihood. Nisolo’s goal is to address this challenge by empowering talented artisans, allowing them to shape their future by way of their extraordinary work. Nisolo has chosen to focus its cause on the most important factor in establishing access and opportunity in a sustainable manner: Job Creation. Its goal is to provide an opportunity for those willing to work to be able to fulfill their aspirations. Starting with shoemakers in Peru, its vision is to serve as a springboard for impoverished entrepreneurs around the globe.
More information about Nisolo is available at http://nisolo.com/.
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