For its annual Most Disruptive Undergraduate Business Schools feature, Poets&Quants sought promising startups founded by undergraduates majoring in a business-related field. One of the most important criteria is that their startup must show great potential for lasting beyond business school. For the feature, P&Q reached out to 33 of the highest-ranked business schools of 2024.
Scheller undergrads and sisters, Ali Sellers and Avery Sellers were selected for their company, Custom Crumb.
Industry: Food and Beverage
Brief Description of Solution:
- Custom-made cookies with edible logos
- QR code and logo integration on cookies for marketing purposes
- Bulk orders and delivery options for corporate events
Funding Dollars: $5,000 safe note, Y Combinator
What led you to launch this venture? My twin sister and I have been baking for over 10 years together. Last year, we changed our majors to pursue a business degree so that we could officially launch our business. After participating in Georgia Tech's startup program, CREATE-X, and learning the ins and outs of entrepreneurship, we officially launched our product.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far with venture? Our biggest accomplishment has been our growth within the last month. We have sold over 2,000 cookies in just 4 weeks.
How has your business-related major helped you further this startup venture? My major has helped me in numerous ways, from marketing techniques to accounting practices that I can apply directly to my business model. My professors have supported me throughout my venture.
Which business class has been most valuable in building your startup and what was the biggest lesson you gained from it? Business Lab has been the most valuable for helping me build my startup. It has taught me that a startup is built by understanding a customer's problem through customer discovery.
What business professor made a significant contribution to your plans and why? I would say that all of the business professors that I have had have made a significant contribution to my plans.
What founder or entrepreneur inspired you to start your own entrepreneurial journey? How did he or she prove motivational to you? My aunt started her own baking business when I was young. Her work ethic and excitement for her work truly captivated my interest for my own entrepreneurial journey.
What is your long-term goal with your startup? The long-term goal with my startup is to scale the business and eventually begin selling nationally. I would love to see my cookies in businesses all throughout the U.S.
How has your local startup ecosystem contributed to your venture's development and success? The CREATE-X program and all of the networking and learning opportunities significantly contributed to my startup's success. My mentor, Sonya Rush, played a pivotal role in where my startup is today.
Reprinted from the P&Q article "Most Disruptive Business School Startups of 2024."