Temporary space unlocks business

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This article was published 06/03/2024 (599 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

University students mill about Tommy Bernabe’s jewelry store, heading past it for lunch or lectures.

They’re Bernabe’s peers, even if he hasn’t met most of them — yet.

The small white bags in the store windows, the pendants and earrings glittering inside, have been drawing customers, he said. “I honestly can’t believe all of the progress I’ve made personally and with the business.”

Bernabe opened Nabiva inside the UMSU University Centre in mid-February. It’s temporary: he has the space for free until the end of April. Then, it’ll go to a new student entrepreneur.

The University of Manitoba Students’ Union owns the room-turned-retail outlet, which is near an entrance to the bustling south Winnipeg building. UMSU aims to spotlight student businesses; it’s holding a grand opening ceremony of the site March 18.

“I didn’t know there were so many entrepreneurs on campus,” said Bernabe, 21.

He’s had several come into the shop, asking about the space. Some are like him: businesspeople who took their first steps during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bernabe dreamt up logos and website layouts while in mandatory lockdown. He also began his studies at the U of M in 2020.

The pandemic exacerbated his social anxiety, he said in an interview. Though he built a website, range of products and display signs, anxiety kept him from growing Nabiva, Bernabe added.

Finally, in September, Bernabe signed up for a UMSU-hosted market on campus. He did things that had once scared him — making eye contact, “excelling” at the booth — and felt a positive response from shoppers, Bernabe said.

“It kind of was a catalyst.”

He started applying to other events. When UMSU opened applications to its University Centre space, which it calls UMSU Ventures, Bernabe jumped at it.

He beat out roughly 20 other entrepreneurs seeking the free real estate. Now, his necklaces and rings — some of which spin, for fidgeting — have taken over the 408-square-foot room.

Bernabe operates Nabiva in the evenings, when there are fewer people around. It’s the only time he can find between full-time studies in accounting and an internship. He’s nudged some friends to take over as salespeople during the day.

“(It’s) good exposure,” Bernabe said, adding it “really helps me get out of my shell, get out of my comfort zone.”

All customers and perusers have been kind, he noted. An UMSU executive made the first purchase.

It’s a “supportive community,” Bernabe said.

“I’ve… seen the large uptick in student entrepreneurship on campus,” said Vaibhav Varma, UMSU vice-president of finance and operations.

He’s tracked an anecdotal spike, one produced during and post-pandemic.

The students union had previously renovated the University Centre room. Sometimes, the space would host pop-ups, such as provincial election polling stations or student group thrift shops. Largely, though, it sat empty.

UMSU-hosted markets noted “a huge demand” from enterprise-minded students and Varma’s team decided to launch Ventures in its oft-bare room.

Accepted entrepreneurs can use the space for a minimum of one month. Rent lengths will be flexible and dependent on how many businesses are on the wait list, Varma said.

UMSU helps with marketing: it’s working to advertise Nabiva on public television screens on the university campus, and it plans to post about the jewelry store on its social media channels.

The student organization doesn’t take any sales profit.

The University of Manitoba is pushing student entrepreneurship and has a hub dedicated to the pursuit, Varma noted. He’s hoping the Ventures initiative will connect peers, many of whom began post-secondary studies online amid the pandemic.

“I, personally, think it’s a good idea,” said Sam Generoso, standing across from Nabiva on Tuesday.

“It’s pretty neat in terms of school, student engagement.”

The biochemistry student has clocked recent UMSU markets in the hallway, he said. It’s interesting to see small businesses “in action.”

Jennifer Omulu, a first-year student, ducked into the jewelry shop earlier in the semester.

“I was like, ‘Oh, what is this place?’” she said Tuesday, adding she didn’t know it was student-run. “It’s very nice. It’s very thoughtful and creative.”

UMSU Ventures has received the Canadian Federation of Independent Business stamp of approval.

“Oftentimes, what small-business owners lack is access to resources,” said SeoRhin Yoo, CFIB policy analyst for the Prairies and North. “Having a program that provides you with space… you can focus your attention on your actual product and what you’re passionate about.”

There’s been a slowdown in entrepreneurship due to inflation, higher interest rates, supply chain challenges and labour shortages, Yoo added.

She called small businesses “the backbone” of Canada’s economy. Getting students involved in entrepreneurship is “a great sign.”

Varma said he will encourage UMSU’s next elected members to continue the Ventures project. His term ends in April, but store space applications will remain open.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com