Ronald McDonald Houses provide accommodation and support for families with ill children, and the Montreat students were quick to identify that charity as a worthy recipient of their donations. Jared Neilsen, a sophomore from Charlotte, speaking on behalf of the class, said, “We worked hard and feel like we were richly blessed for our efforts.”
For the purposes of the class, students formed a company called Inverted Images, which researched a product to create, designed a line of pullover and zip-up hoodies and t-shirts, and sold over 350 products on all four of Montreat’s campuses and at sporting events. From more than $5300 in gross sales, the group realized the profit from which came the charitable donation.
One student, Chris Henson, alone produced more than $600 in sales, while Josh Mimken designed the clothes.
Neilsen stated that all the students will take away the experience of running a business in real life and claiming responsibility for its success without facing the harshest consequences that a failed business enterprise can bring about.
And the families at the new Ronald McDonald House might add that this experiment also proves that a dose of good will and generosity in business can do a world of good.