Marketing students are helping local businesses with their window displays.
IRON MOUNTAIN -- In this tough economy, local businesses like Twisted Sisters in Iron Mountain are always looking for cost effective ways to advertise. It's not easy.
"We don't have a lot of time," said Twisted Sisters co-owner, Melissa VanPembrook. "You're running your business everyday, trying to deal with customers and make your own products and everything so the time involved doing it is just not there."
That's where Bay De Noc Community College West Campus comes in. In collaboration with the Iron Mountain Main Street program, marketing students from the college are helping three businesses, including Twisted Sisters, to improve their window displays.
"Getting that fresh perspective," VanPembrook said. "Having somebody who's able to focus just on doing that window is a huge thing."
Kayla Perron is one of the students working on the displays. She welcomes the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom while also helping the businesses.
"When you see what they're doing in their businesses, it gives you a chance to see what essentially you’ll end up doing when you start a career," Perron said. "It's nice to see behind the scenes."
This is the first year of the collaboration, and Bay West hopes to see it continue.
"It's a one of a kind try," said Bay West Marketing Professor Larry Underhill. "You need that experience if you're going to go out into the marketing world or get another job."
Another advantage for businesses is the cost. Students only have $100 to spend on each display with the Iron Mountain Main Street picking up 50 percent of the tab.
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