Two months ago, USF St. Petersburg junior Jamie Doerschuck started her own business.
It’s called BurgBox – a monthly subscription that mails Tampa and St. Petersburg-made items.
“It’s a little part of the Saturday Morning Market – in a box, delivered to your front door,” Doerschuck said.
Each BurgBox is a surprise and will contain five to six local items such as CDs, prints, artisanal food products, apparel as well as a few smaller extras. Doerschuck also plans to include “local lore” in each box – a short story about the Bay area.
The products in BurgBox are valued at $60 to $70. Doerschuck sells each package for $40 and five percent will go to charity. BurgBox’s can be purchased one time or as a monthly subscription that can be canceled anytime.
Doerschuck is planning to send out her first BurgBox on Dec. 19.
“It’s like Christmas every month,” she said.
Prior to her new business venture, Doerschuck studied music at the University of Bern in Switzerland. Doerschuck said her education abroad was a good experience, but the program did not suit her.
She recently transferred to USFSP about a year ago and changed her major to entrepreneurship in spring 2015.
Although she now enjoys the world of business, her passion for the arts did not fade away.
“There’s something magic that art can do,” Doerschuck said.
Upon moving to St. Petersburg, Doerschuck noticed the talent in the area was often overlooked and sees her business as a way to “bring up the arts.”
“All of these dorms should be decorated with local art,” she said, confused as to why anyone would choose Target instead.
Along with coursework, Doerschuck has spent numerous hours working on her new business – figuring out the website, logo and finances. For some extra cash, she creates whiteboard animation videos that are used by businesses to teach employees.
Doerschuck frequents local markets in search of items for her upcoming boxes and also to promote her business and make connections.
Although the startup business costs don’t reflect the work involved, Doerschuck said her new venture is a “labor of love” and a learning experience.
“This is my community and I want to give back.”
For more information, visit www.burgbox.com
