Student-Run Enterprise course gives SNAX Café a new life: Introducing Mansion Munchies
Silberman College News
Snax Café on the Florham Campus closed down at the start of the pandemic in March 2020 and because of a lack of resources, kept its doors closed until now. This semester, during Spring 2022, Snax is being given a new life as Silberman College of Business (SCB) introduces a new Student-Run Enterprise Class to its repertoire, the first class of its kind in our university's history. It has been re-branded by the students in the course as Mansion Munchies.
The idea came to fruition by Dean Pierre Balthazard. “Our student-run enterprises, like the SNAX Café on the Florham campus and our community work through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), provide an ongoing framework for authentic work that engages students in collaborative problem-solving, entrepreneurial thinking, and economic development.”
Dean Balthazard continues by saying, “Silberman students are leaders in action and our student-run enterprises –like the SNAX Café — offer hands-on, experiential leadership, and learning opportunities for those who desire to manage a business. Each enterprise is a for-profit business created by students and managed by students as paid contractors. Businesses like this and our efforts through the SBDC offer services and products to consumers on campus and the local community. They are designed to complement classroom learning, allowing Silberman students to put their skills gained in the classroom into action immediately.”
The course is being headed by Silberman College of Business Professor Domenick Celentano and Director of Hospitality and Tourism Management John Niser. Both gentlemen will bring their expertise — Domenick with his extensive knowledge in marketing, small business development, and entrepreneurship; and John who has immense practical and operational knowledge of the field of Hospitality Management. Before coming to FDU, John was the CEO of two of the most prestigious Swiss Hotel schools.
The idea of the course is to allow students to gain hands-on experience in a live setting. This pilot group of eight students will devise a marketing plan, launch a marketing campaign, and develop and apply effective management skills, business modeling, and business plan development all to understand and successfully run an actual restaurant.
Being that this is the first course of its kind offered by Silberman, the student-run café will, in part, be a guinea pig for the college. Dean Balthazard has high hopes to implement more student-run enterprises following this initial launch and anticipating positive results.
Mansion Munchies is anticipated to open the week after spring break. You can follow their journey through their Instagram — @fdumansionmunchies
