What's Happening?
Students from the University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic's business information technology and digital marketing technology capstone program have successfully developed a new website for One Drop Refillery, a small business in Hudson, Wisconsin. Owner
Jennifer Fravel sought assistance in clearly communicating the refillery concept, educating customers on sustainable living, and facilitating product exploration. The student team, led by Kolton Dupey, conducted extensive research into Hudson's demographics, household income, and the purchasing habits of sustainability-minded shoppers to create three distinct buyer personas. These personas guided the website's design, content, and product organization, ensuring it resonated with potential customers. The website features a personality-based product finder and is optimized for mobile use, as over 70% of visits originate from mobile devices. Since its launch, the website has received over 2,000 visits from more than 1,200 unique individuals, with over 80% of visitors coming from Wisconsin and Minnesota, indicating successful local outreach. The collaboration has enabled One Drop Refillery to facilitate over 1,270 bottle refills, contributing to a reduction in single-use plastics.
Why It's Important?
This collaboration highlights the significant impact that academic programs can have on local economies and small businesses. For One Drop Refillery, the professionally developed website is crucial for its growth and mission. As a relatively new business concept, refilleries require clear communication to attract and educate customers. The website, built on thorough market research and user-centric design, provides a vital platform for the business to reach its target audience and promote sustainable practices. This initiative also offers invaluable real-world experience for UW-Stout students, allowing them to apply their academic knowledge to practical business challenges. The success of the website, evidenced by its visitor numbers and the number of bottle refills, demonstrates how strategic digital presence can drive customer engagement and contribute to environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the project's outcome, including Kolton Dupey launching his own consulting business, underscores the entrepreneurial spirit fostered by such experiential learning opportunities, potentially leading to further economic development in the region.
What's Next?
One Drop Refillery plans to continue leveraging its website for growth, with owner Jennifer Fravel identifying opportunities in marketing, social media, customer research, branding, and sustainability education. The business aims to develop new strategies to engage with the community, and Fravel hopes to maintain collaborative opportunities with UW-Stout students, recognizing the value of their fresh perspectives and expertise. Kolton Dupey, having launched Dupey Consulting as a direct result of this capstone project, will continue to grow his business, working with other local businesses on their digital needs. He plans to graduate in 2027 and continue his role at Bernicke Wealth Management while expanding his consulting firm. The UW-Stout Polytechnic will likely continue to offer similar capstone projects, providing students with practical experience and supporting local businesses, further strengthening the connection between academia and industry in the region.
Beyond the Headlines
This initiative extends beyond a simple website launch, touching upon broader themes of sustainable consumption, community engagement, and the evolving landscape of higher education. The rise of refilleries like One Drop signifies a growing consumer demand for eco-conscious alternatives and a shift towards a more circular economy, challenging traditional retail models. The project also exemplifies the increasing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, where business and technology students combine their skills to address real-world problems. From an educational perspective, UW-Stout's polytechnic approach, emphasizing applied learning, proves highly effective in preparing students for the workforce, as evidenced by the high employment rates and starting salaries of its graduates. This model not only equips students with practical skills but also instills an entrepreneurial mindset, fostering innovation and contributing to the local business ecosystem. The success of this project could serve as a blueprint for other educational institutions seeking to create meaningful partnerships with local businesses, promoting both student development and community welfare.
