Launch: Lakeland Student-Run Businesses

Learn. Grow. Lead.

Launch: Lakeland University Student Run Businesses

Recent Updates:

Launch: Annual Report

We are proud to announce that Launch: Lakeland Student-Run Businesses has officially published its second annual report! The July 2021 - June 2022 annual report reflects on the growing business ventures of Launch.

Throughout the report, you will learn about how Launch has expanded the operations of all business ventures and the accomplishments of these student-led businesses. As Launch transitioned to new employees in all its divisions, an onboarding process was implemented to instill the culture and expectations for employees to maintain.

Launch is currently looking to expand its team. If you are a student who desires to be a part of an innovative team, check out our job openings below!

Launch is grateful for the opportunity to spread the implementation of experiential and entrepreneurial learning at Lakeland University. If you are interested in supporting our growing businesses, we ask that you consider donating to continue providing our students with these experiences.

View Report
Make A Donation

Launch Students Help Plan National Conference

next generation of emerging leaders

Hub For Innovation

Lakeland has always been a hub for innovation.

In that spirit, our student-run businesses offer unparalleled experiential learning and small business management opportunities.

Students will be empowered to create, develop, manage, and lead business ventures while developing into the next generation of emerging leaders. These powerful experiences are part of a campus-wide initiative that instills an entrepreneurial mindset that is applicable across all majors.

Questions? Contact Us!

Mission Statement

We transform Lakeland students into the next generation of innovative leaders by providing experiential and entrepreneurial learning opportunities that prepare students for diverse careers in a multi-faceted world.

Launch Ventures

Lakeland students are currently running the following businesses:

Elementastic offers after-school programs, interactive science shows, birthday parties, in-school field trips, as well as public and company events performed by Launch student workers.

Programs are designed to nourish children’s curiosity by providing hands-on, engaging experiments that provide insights and understanding while being fun and entertaining. Children are encouraged to observe, try, ask questions, and be surprised.

Programs can be booked now for the fall 2022 school year. To book an event or for any questions about Elementastic, please email elementastic@lakeland.edu.

Visit Elementastic

Musko's Campus Shop's purpose is to provide the Lakeland community with quality merchandise and memorable service through continued innovation and eco-friendly practices, matched with a skilled Lakeland student workforce, to ensure a seamless shopping experience that will be the cornerstone for Launch's financial success.

Musko's Campus Shop's online store is now open! Click below to visit our site! 

The 1,000 square foot on-campus store, located in the Wehr Center lobby, is aimed to open at the start of fall semester.

For the latest updates make sure to follow Musko's Campus Shop's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LUCampusShop and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lu_campusshop/

Email https://muskosshop.lakeland.edu/ for any questions.

Click Here to Visit Musko's Campus Shop!

Launch hires students for local events such as the Sheboygan Memorial Day Parade, summer camps, conferences, and more!

Please contact Launch for additional information.

Reach Out for More Information!

Lakeland University's Develop U program offers LOCAL, customized approaches to professional growth. Our workshops and training programs are affordable, engaging and flexible - providing employees with high-quality professional development opportunities.

For questions about Lakeland University's Develop U workshops, contact Kym Leibham at 920-565-1023 ext. 2155 or email her at leibhamk@lakeland.edu.

Click Here for More Information!

Nonprofit Division provides local nonprofit agencies with temporary and/or long-term staff at little to no cost. The goal is to increase the effectiveness of local nonprofit organizations by providing outstanding students to fill administrative and professional roles or customized projects or events. Additionally, this business’s team works with area nonprofits as they consider consolidating resources to improve efficiencies and collaboration for greater impact in the community. Some of the nonprofits currently being served by Lakeland University are The Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, The Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts, the Boys & Girls Clubs and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.

Click Here to Apply!



Launch's Core Values

Ownership

Launch teaches individuals responsibility and independence in all roles.

Growth Opportunities

Launch creates a space to explore professional learning opportunities that spark interest in an individual.

Schedule Flexibility

Launch understands the importance of a work-life balance and allows each employee to develop their own schedule.

Collaboration

Launch incorporates a team dynamic and a variety of independent tasks in every position.

Launch Annual Report

We are proud to announce that Launch: Lakeland Student-Run Businesses has officially published its second annual report! The July 2021 - June 2022 annual report reflects on the growing business ventures of Launch.

Throughout the report, you will learn about how Launch has expanded the operations of all business ventures and the accomplishments of these student-led businesses. As Launch transitioned to new employees in all its divisions, an onboarding process was implemented to instill the culture and expectations for employees to maintain.

Jake's, A Lakeland Community

Jake’s, A Lakeland Community

Expanding Experiential & Entrepreneurial Learning

Jake's, A Lakeland Community is an inclusive co-working space on a mission to break down the barriers to entrepreneurship for the Lakeland community and surrounding areas.

For students with an interest in entrepreneurship, an idea for a product or company, or who are curious what entrepreneurship is all about, Jake's is here to help. It serves as a hub for the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sheboygan County.

Stephanie Hoskins, a Kohler, Wis., native and co-founder of the startup Debtle, is leading the development of Lakeland’s latest acquisition. One of her roles will consist of supervising and assisting the Launch team with the development of current and new business ventures.

“Once the students learn more about entrepreneurship, I hope they are inspired to continue on that path or bring entrepreneurial ideas to whichever organization they start their careers with,” Hoskins said.

Launch Experiential Learning Approach

Expand Your Skillset 

Launch provides an environment for students to immerse themselves in small business management opportunities that will set graduates apart from the competition.

Our student-run businesses position LU students to pursue developing the well-rounded professional skillset that today’s employers are seeking.

  • Launch thrives on creating an environment where everyone can share their ideas, provide honest opinions, and build positive relationships. 
  • Launch encourages suggestions from different perspectives to increase the operations and quality of our businesses as well as enhance an individual's skills. 
Student presenting her work.

Student Executives

Meet Lakeland University’s student executives who will shape and operate the institution’s new student-run business operation. These students will create, develop, manage and lead both on-campus and off-campus business ventures while assisting in developing the next generation of emerging leaders who will be positioned for post-graduation employment.

John Putnam

John A. Putnam, of Plymouth, Wis., serves as President of the Nonprofit Division and Develop U and manages day-to-day operations of Lakeland’s nonprofit relationships and manages professional development workshops offered to local businesses as part of Launch.

John plans to graduate in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and he hopes to become a forensic accountant for the U.S. Government.

John brings to his role knowledge in finances/accounting and problem-solving skills. His main goal is to achieve excellence through investing in Lakeland students and the surrounding communities by providing consistent, positive experiences and services through Launch.

John is involved in the Lakeland Jazz Band, Accounting Club and the Forensic Accounting Club. In his free time, he loves to read, play his instruments (he can play six different instruments), learn and hunt.

Click Here to Connect with John!
Riley Jahnke

Riley Jahnke, of Howards Grove, Wis., serves as Chief Marketing Officer and is responsible for successfully developing and implementing marketing strategies to help achieve the student-run businesses (SRB) objectives.

Riley plans to graduate in December of 2022, with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in Co-Op. Following graduation, she hopes to work as a specialist or manager in a communications or public relations department for a company.

Her main goal is to utilize her communication and marketing skills to promote and build success for Launch’s businesses in a positive way.

At Lakeland, Riley is a member and captain of the LU soccer team. She has held various on-campus positions including a Student Ambassador as well as a Marketing Specialist for the Career Readiness & Cooperative Education Team. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Click Here to Connect with Riley!
Kelly Swope

Kelly Swope, of Heyworth, Ill., serves as the President of Merchandising, a dual leadership position. The responsibility of this position is to lead the development of Musko’s Campus Shop and operations of the online and brick-and-mortar store.

Kelly plans to graduate in May of 2024 with a double major in marketing with an emphasis in graphic design and business administration with an emphasis in forensics. Following graduation, she plans on attending law school or finding a job in the marketing or graphic design field.

Her main goal in the position is to expand the campus shop by generating revenue.

Kelly has held a position at Lakeland as the Advancement and President’s Office student worker. She is a member of the women’s volleyball team and in her free time she enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and playing video games.

Click Here to Connect with Kelly!
Nidal Farah

Nidal Farah, of Ventura, Cali., serves as the President of Merchandising, a dual leadership position. The responsibility of this position is to lead the development of Musko’s Campus Shop and operations of the online and brick-and-mortar store.

Nidal plans to graduate in May of 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Following graduation, he would like to own his own business.

Nidal brings a level of retail experience to the team through the start of his own clothing company. His main goal in the position is to gain real-world experience to help him succeed in his future goals.

Nidal is a member of the Lakeland men’s wrestling team. In his free time, he enjoys thrifting, listening to music, and working on cars.

Click Here to Connect with Nidal!
Andrew Erbstoesser

Andrew Erbstoesser, of Union, Ill., serves as Launch Chief Financial Officer. He is responsible for the day-to-day and ongoing impact of business operations, helping analyze, strategize, and grow the financial position of Launch.

Andrew is on track to graduate in 2023 with a major in accounting and an economics minor, and he hopes to work in financial analysis after graduation.

His goal is to use his accounting knowledge to benefit Launch and learn more about how to manage a business so that in the future he can manage his own business.

At Lakeland, he is also involved in baseball, golf and the accounting club. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing and playing video games with friends.

Click Here to Connect with Andrew!
Clare Kelnhofer

Clare Kelnhofer, of Brandon, Wis., serves as Elementastic President. She is responsible for leading the strategy, planning, and growth of Elementastic.

Clare is on track to graduate in 2024 with a double major in computer science (with an emphasis in data analytics) and business administration (with emphasis in economics). Following graduation, her goal is to work as a business analyst.

Clare plans to get more publicity and opportunities for Elementastic to present and showcase the business together as a team, and she’ll rely on her organization skills and persistence in getting those goals met and creating the best experience for everyone.

At Lakeland, Clare is a member of the women's tennis team, a Student Ambassador, a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, Honor Society, Color Guard Team, Tech Club and Study Abroad program. In her spare time, she enjoys playing sports and spending time with family and friends. She also likes exploring nature and spends time at the state parks or on the lakes in Wisconsin. She loves to travel and has been to Germany.

Click Here to Connect with Clare!

New Positions

Are you entrepreneurial? Are you self-motivated, accountable, and eager? Do you want a professional experience that will set you apart from your peers?

We have hired the inaugural leadership team, but check out the great positions listed below for our staff positions and for local nonprofits!

Perform science demonstrations to groups of children in after-school programs, in-school classroom visits, birthday parties, and summer programs.

This is a sporadic position, meaning you may have another primary on-campus paid position and work occasionally for Elementastic, as long as you stay within 20-hours (school year) or 40-hours (summer). Remember, you may also hold an off-campus job, which allows this job to be a great additional income opportunity.

Work 2-3 1-hour sessions per month based on your schedule. Note: positions available all year.

Wage: $20/hr PLUS paid drive time!

Apply Here!

Sales Associates help the Manager with store operations, including merchandising, inventory, customer service, and campus relations. The sales associate will directly report to the campus shop staff manager and the President of Merchandise.

Responsibilities:

  • Process online orders when received
  • Take notes on customer requests and suggestions for shop
    • Manage and organize
      • Assist the manager as needed

      Flexible 10 – 20 variable hours per week including occasional Friday/Saturday athletic schedule times.

      Apply Here!

      The business leader accountable for all aspects of the business - financial results, workshop creation, talent acquisition, customer service, staff management and training, and campus relations all in an effort to grow revenue.

      Responsibilites:

      • Lead the strategy, planning, and growth of Elementastic.
      • Build the Elementastic brand in the community and within the workshop’s collateral.
      • Responsible to plan experiments for the scheduled events.
      • Perform science demonstrations to groups of children in after school programs, in-school classroom visits, and summer programs.
      • Inspire and entertain children.
      Apply Here!

      Launch in Lakeland's Latest Magazine!

      Our Event Sponsors

      2021 Launch gus macker sponsors

      Board of Advisors

      Name

      Title/Position

      Employer/Nonprofit

      Michael JaberCoordinator of Instructional TechnologySheboygan Area School District
      Jennifer KrugelHR Business PartnerRockline Industries
      Ryan Kauth
      Senior Vice-President of Lending
      Green Leaf Bank
      Nick O'BrienEntrepreneurSelf-Employed
      Kristin Stearns
      CEO
      Lakeshore Community Health Care
      Donna Wendlandt
      CEOSheboygan County YMCA
      Dante Williams
      High-Level Operations
      Nolan Transportation Group (NTG)
      Ray York
      Business Counselor / Entrepreneurship Specialist
      Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC)





      Questions? Contact Us!

      Fill out the form below and a representative from Launch: Lakeland Student-Run Businesses will contact you shortly!