Student Entrepreneurs Launch Sweet New Business

“As an international student, I always miss the food back home when I am at school,” said Yuyang "Vicky" Gao '24, one of the founders of Sweet Next Door. “So I thought, why don’t we bring this to our community so everyone has the chance to try our food and have more options for desserts and snacks?”

Sweet Next Door launched at the end of January, serving up traditional Chinese “button” sandwich cookies to be purchased in Yardley Dining Hall. The offerings included several flavors, including vanilla and chocolate with eyes designed by Hongyi "Krystal" Lin '24. The next suite of products included crocheted roses and another Chinese traditional treat, Snowflake Crisps, just in time for Valentine’s Day. 

Gao is a year-two member of the Global Entrepreneurship program which empowers and inspires students to take their ideas and turn them into real businesses. Through the program, students learn about market research, the ideation process, marketing, operations, and more.

“Global Entrepreneurship was definitely one of the factors that enabled me to launch this business. I learned how to put my idea into action, have the courage to take risks, find the needs of the community, set the price, and launch the business,” she said.

Sweet Next Door also features an element of social impact through supporting “those who make our community better everyday.” The business vows to donate a sampling of its products to School staff members on the maintenance, housekeeping, and other teams to show appreciation for their contributions to the community.