Build-A-Business

Yesterday, I had the unique opportunity to visit the national headquarters of Build-A-Bear Workshops in Saint Louis, MO. My business program, along with the Pre-Business Living Learning Community, travelled to attend a company visit there. We hit a few bumps along the way, including a major one that left us stranded at a McDonald’s somewhere in Illinois for 3 hours, but we finally made it to St. Louis!

The story of the company’s founder, Maxine Clark, is one that really impresses me. Before the trip, I read an article in BizEd, the AACSB magazine. What she has done with her company in about 15 years is so impressive. She says business students “must have drive, passion, and commitment - and it also helps if they have a single great idea.” I thought this was so inspiring, especially since I’m studying entrepreneurship.

Maxine Clark created a fun environment for her customers and for her employees too, as we saw yesterday. All of the people we met seemed to be fun-loving, with their desks surrounded by their own Build-A-Bear friends. I found it really interesting that dogs and children are allowed in the office, which makes for a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. It seemed so simple an operation; I kept forgetting we were at the headquarters of Build-A-Bear, an internationally prestigious company.

As we sat in the Bear University where they train employees, we listened to representatives explain the main operations of the company to us, including sales, marketing, and the products themselves. It is always interesting to me to learn more about how much work goes on behind the scenes to present such a fantastic company.

This trip is another reason I’m so honored to be a student at Ball State and a member of the MCOB Honors Program. These kinds of opportunities are invaluable experiences that not every college student will have. Besides, spending an entire day with my Honors classmates is an experience in and of itself, especially spending 3 hours stranded at McDonald’s! We’re already becoming a tighter-knit group, which I think will be beneficial as we continue through college.

Thanks to those who put on the trip and especially to Build-A-Bear for having us!


Class of 2014 Miller Honors at Build-A-Bear Headquarters in St. Louis, MO




Taking a tour of Build-A-Bear Headquarters


Bear University


A life size “cub condo” at Bear University – just my size!