Most startups don’t have the resources to maintain a brick and mortar presence, let alone one on Newbury Street. That was until six Harvard Business School students decided to open POPStart, a pop-up store for startups. Now, 10 local companies are getting their chance to set up shop on the “Rodeo Drive of the East” for one weekend only.
The team came up with the concept as part of Harvard’s FIELD program, which forces students to design and launch a microbusiness over the course of a semester. Co-founder Joshua Plavner says the resounding question from his classmates was, “How do we go to market?” So, the group decided to create a market for them.
After speaking to the community, however, Plavner says they started seeing companies beyond HBS interested in the POPStart idea. So, they began reaching out, trying to put together a unique blend of brands that customers might have a hard time finding otherwise. “We wanted to offer consumers a unique experience,” Plavner admits.
But why only a weekend? “We’re modestly funded with HBS dollars,” Plavner says. “We wanted to put together a minimum viable product to test, to see if startups realize the value proposition we’re offering.” Yet, if all goes well, POPStart could take shape.
To Plavner, it’s all about the element of discovery. The shop can connect consumers to local startups they might not have known about otherwise, and would then turn over their inventory every two to three months “to continue that freshness.” Startups could use the space to not only generate sales, but to also test products and build brand awareness. “The value proposition is on a lot of different levels,” Plavner says.
The store will be located at 328 Newbury Street, and will be open on Saturday, April 21st, and Sunday, April 22nd, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some of the founders will be in the store throughout the weekend, allowing customers to interact with entrepreneurs instead of a traditional sales staff. Here’s a look at the companies involved:
9tailors -- A custom clothing company that makes handmade suits and dress shirts for men and women.
Cocomama -- An all-natural, gluten free food brand that specializes in the use of ancient grains to produce wholesome, convenient food products. (There will be free samples!)
Everywhere is Here -- A platform offering products from around the world consumers typically miss out on because they’ve never heard of them before.
Ministry of Supply -- Offering high-tech men’s business apparel, users can get used to a life of no sweat, no dry cleaner and, of course, no iron.
Perfect Fuel Chocolate -- Made with the perfect blend of raw, organic cacao and pure American ginseng, Perfect Fuel is dark chocolate that can boost your stamina and endurance.
PlugLove -- A decorative plug for earphone jacks.
Quiyk -- An athletic apparel company, focused on Quidditch gear.
Sterling Kane -- A company that offers men’s leather goods at a price at least 50 percent lower than its competitors.
Survitalize -- A line of survival kits to help users “survive and revitalize.”
Zeo -- A sleep management company that produces personal sensors, wireless technology and smartphones, giving consumers the ability to take better care of their own health.
Zyrra -- Certified Fit Specialists use Zyrra's own measurement system to take 10 personal measurements and create a unique bra for each woman with guaranteed fit.
