From Class to Cash: Bulldog Supply Co. Run by Students

MONONA – A new student-run business is bringing Bulldog pride to life at MFL MarMac High School, giving students hands-on experience in entrepreneurship while supplying the community with school-branded apparel.

Bulldog Supply Co., a student-operated sports apparel store, officially launched earlier this semester after a Facebook page for the business was created Jan. 20. The store sells Bulldog-themed merchandise including hoodies, T-shirts and hats, with designs created entirely by students.

The project is led by business teacher Stephanie Wikner, who serves as the program’s advisor and helps guide students through the realities of running a business. From concept to customer, students are responsible for nearly every aspect of the operation, including branding, design, pricing, order tracking, marketing and customer communication.

“While we are still in the early stages, we began receiving orders almost immediately after sharing our first designs, which has been exciting and a great learning experience for the students,” Wikner said.

The idea for Bulldog Supply Co. grew out of Wikner’s own professional development after attending a summer course in Mt. Pulaski, Ill., which emphasized the importance of real-world learning. Rather than relying on textbook examples, the program was designed to immerse students in the challenges and rewards of operating an actual business.

The store focuses primarily on Bulldog apparel but also accepts custom design orders, allowing students to learn how customer preferences, production limitations and pricing decisions intersect. Wikner said those real-time decisions have helped students develop both technical skills, such as graphic design and e-commerce, and soft skills like teamwork, time management and professional communication.

As orders began coming in, Wikner said students quickly recognized the responsibility that comes with serving real customers, prompting a noticeable shift in mindset and ownership of their work. “Running a business isn’t instant, and students are seeing that firsthand,” she said.

The program is closely tied to career readiness, exposing students to business, marketing, accounting and customer service concepts that apply across many career paths. Plans are already underway to expand offerings to include additional apparel options such as infant clothing, joggers, bags and other accessories, while continuing to improve the store’s website and bookkeeping systems.

Wikner says the long-term goal is for the store to become the go-to source for Bulldog gear while continuing to serve as a practical classroom for students learning what it takes to build a business from the ground up.