TCU students and alumni showcase entrepreneurial ideas at the Shaddock Marketplace

Newly stitched clothes, handcrafted jewelry and the scent of rich coffee bags line the sidewalks past the Clark Brothers Statue as the excitement of TCU business owners fills the Shaddock Marketplace on April 5.

The Shaddock Marketplace is a student-centered, entrepreneurial showcase of Neeley’s Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation CREATE program. Last year, the students and alumni of the CREATE program earned $10,000 in sales in one day, according to the Neeley School of Business.

This semester, the pop-ups ranged from clothing and accessories to food and drinks, with students and alumni hopeful of selling out and gaining brand publicity.

Keeley Giles, a junior entrepreneurship major, created Keeley Rae Embroidery as a sophomore and now works with a Fortune 500 company.

“In my first year at the event, I sold out completely and I’ve been coming back- this is my third semester selling here, and I always love meeting the other TCU students and gaining great connections,” Giles said.

The Shaddock Marketplace gives students the opportunity to expose themselves to a legitimate sales environment, grow their brand through networking and connect with their customers.

Alumni came to the Marketplace as well.

Lindsey Dixon, a TCU alumna, graduated in 2020 and started her business, Fans Vintage, through Neeley that same year.  

“I like selling here because it creates more brand awareness around what we do,” Dixon said. “A lot of the recently graduated juniors and seniors are some of our best customers, so trying to get in front of underclassmen and making them aware of our business is important.”

Since the marketplace gathers once a semester, newer businesses like Fan Vintage and Keeley Rae Embroidery are able to expand their connections and sales through frequent attendance. 

The CREATE program is open to all TCU students, encouraging aspiring innovators to get involved in the Shaddock Marketplace.

For more information on how to be a part of this event, view TCU’s CREATE program for further details.