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The Story of Big Blue

Big Blue began as a class project. In their Fall 2021 Entrepreneurial Mindset class, first-year students Lilly Posti and Alexis Sommers pitched the idea of establishing a thrift store on Marietta College's campus.

Big Blue co-founders Alexis and Lilly present their poster during PioBiz

March 3, 2022
Alexis and Lilly claim the first-place award in Round One of the PioBiz Competition.

Three students shopping at Big Blue Thrift Store

April 6, 2022
Big Blue hosts its first pop-up thrifting event.

Big Blue Storefront

Summer 2022
Nonprofit status is obtained, and the location is chosen.

Big Blue co-founders Alexis and Lilly preparing for opening day

Early Fall 2022
Preparations for opening day.

Big Blue co-founders Alexis and Lilly cutting the ribbon outside of Big Blue

September 22, 2022
Big Blue Thrift Store opens. 

Opening Day Video

Big Blue co-founders Alexis and Lilly at PioPitch

October 15, 2022
Brainstorming at PioPitch.

PioBiz Winners on stage

November 29, 2022
Big Blue places 5th in Round Two of PioBiz.

Volunteers painting inside Big Blue Thrift Store during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

January 15, 2023
The store receives a facelift thanks to volunteers during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. 

Story

Student volunteers helping at Big Blue

Spring 2023
Student volunteers helped with various aspects of the business

Big Blue at Feel Good Friday

April 14, 2023 
Big Blue collaborated with Marietta Mindset by sponsoring an event on Feel Good Friday that made it possible for other student-run small businesses such as Note Worthy Designs, Kayla Rae Co, and Strings Against Stigma to sell their products on campus.

Coffee flavorings and notes shared by students

April 14, 2023 
Big Blue collaborated with Marietta Mindset by sponsoring an event on Feel Good Friday during which students made their own flavored coffee and bouquets of flowers. Students also shared their state of mental well-being anonymously and suggested solutions to mental health problems

2023 Big Blue Practicum students

Fall 2023
The first group of the Big Blue Practicum students managed the store. From left to right: Gabe Lamb (Assistant Manager), Keshaun Madlock (Bookkeeper), Professor Laura Pytlik (Faculty Supervisor), Alexis Sommers (Manager), Faith Malone (Grants & Gifts Officer), Taahir Sabree (Print & Social Media Specialist), Kelsey Bowman (Merchandising Manager), Haruka Kimura (Merchandiser), Nagisa Harada (Marketing Strategist). Not pictured: Katherine King (Inventory manager

“Free Fridays” sign

Fall 2023
The “Free Fridays” Program started, offering a portion of merchandise to the community free of charge on Friday afternoons.

Alexis Sommers and Lilly Posti showcased Big Blue's recent achievements and future aspirations at the 2023 Appalachian Social Enterprise Summit in Athens, Ohio.

October 11th, 2023
Alexis Sommers and Lilly Posti showcased Big Blue's recent achievements and future aspirations at the Appalachian Social Enterprise Summit in Athens, Ohio. Their presentation at the competition earned Big Blue Thrift Store the Runner-Up position.