The Inaugural Student Business Fair

At Marlborough, the calendar is filled with student-driven events—years-old traditions, guest speakers, club celebrations, special lunches, program activities, and more. The campus is energized by students and their initiatives that bring the community together and highlight their interests. This week was no exception as the community spent their lunchtime shopping at the inaugural Student Business Fair. Imagined, planned, and executed by Rainey R. ’26, and supported by Engineering + Entrepreneurship Program Head Catie Mino, the event was an opportunity to spotlight student entrepreneurs and their businesses in this school-wide marketplace.

Rainey was inspired to showcase the business ventures of her peers after her experience in the Frank & Eileen Accelerator Program for the Leaders of Tomorrow, during which she created and grew her own business. While Rainey and her fellow entrepreneurs have the chance to present their ideas at the Pitch Showcase each spring, the event is mainly focused on program participants and their mentors. 

Rainey imagined the Student Business Fair as a way for the entrepreneurs to gain more experience, exposure, refine their business ideas, and offer, as Rainey described, “realistic practice in sales, marketing, and customer interaction.” Hosting the event during the school day meant that more students could see their peers’ work on display, and it “increased awareness and excitement about joining Marlborough’s entrepreneurial programs,” she hoped. Rainey also saw value in providing the young business owners with hands-on experience in vending and receiving product or service feedback, an integral part of personal and professional growth in the field.

“I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship and friendship the [Incubator and Accelerator] Programs gave me,” Rainey shared. “My favorite part of my time in [them] was witnessing the ambition and creativity of my peers and their initiatives. I really wanted to give back by exposing more students to the program while spotlighting and giving much deserved recognition to our accomplished student entrepreneurs.”

As customers filled their shopping bags on the afternoon of March 23, it was clear that the event was a huge success. Over a dozen student businesses lined the Brittain Bradley Family Plaza (BBFP) as students poured out of class ready to shop. From handmade bracelets and sweets, to nail art, clothing, homegoods, student-designed apps, and more, the products and services displayed the incredible efforts and varied interests of the student entrepreneurs. The line to purchase items stretched all the way across BBFP, signaling not just a successful afternoon of sales, but a bright future for Marlborough’s budding business owners.