News
Search All News
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Office Hours
Monday - Friday 9am - 5pmClosed Sat. and Sun.
Student Entrepreneurs Shine at Lehman’s First Holiday Market
Student entrepreneurs and Professor Andy Gold, bottom right, celebrate the Holiday Market's successful launch.
December 16, 2025
Lehman College marked a new end-of-semester tradition this season with the launch of its first-ever Holiday Market, a festive pop-up event that showcased student-run businesses and generated more than $3,000 in sales for participating entrepreneurs.
Hosted by the Lehman College School of Business in partnership with the Bronx Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the inaugural Holiday Market on December 4 brought together more than 150 attendees for a two-hour celebration of innovation, creativity, and community. The event was led by the College’s Entrepreneurship and Marketing Clubs and featured close to 20 student vendors offering everything from handcrafted goods and artwork to skincare products and culinary treats.
“As the only public school of business in the Bronx or Westchester, we take seriously our commitment to preparing students for high-growth careers and real-world opportunity,” said Dene Hurley, Dean of the School of Business. “Events like the Holiday Market bring experiential learning to life while strengthening our connection to the local business ecosystem.”
The lively marketplace included music by student DJ Isaac Saavedra, known as DJ Sonido Tokio Mix, and festive décor by student entrepreneur Eileen Mazariegos of Mazalloon Encanto Décor. Attendees had the opportunity to shop locally, network with student founders, and participate in giveaways—all while supporting Lehman’s growing community of young entrepreneurs.
“The Holiday Market was truly an incredible and amazing experience that allowed me to showcase my balloon arches and decorative designs,” said Mazariegos. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to display my talent, connect with new customers, and bring a bit of creative magic to the event.”
Student-owned businesses featured at the Holiday Market included Opong Linel Luxury, an activewear brand founded by Melissa Opong; D’Maritza Cake Shop, a Dominican bakery co-founded by Elisjoe Ramirez; Mels Wellness Spa, a skincare business founded by licensed esthetician Melany Fabian; and The Kraft Dealer, a custom artwork and photography brand founded by Lila Rose.
Vanessa Joseph, Regional Director of the Bronx SBDC, emphasized the importance of the partnership. “Partnering with the School of Business and helping to support the rising tide of Lehman student entrepreneurs is closely aligned with our core mission,” she said. “The energy at the Holiday Market was extraordinary, and seeing the faces of the young entrepreneurs engage in commerce was priceless.”
The Holiday Market is part of a broader entrepreneurship initiative within the Lehman School of Business, which offers hands-on, credit-bearing entrepreneurship courses, a summer accelerator program, a student entrepreneurship club, a speaker series featuring local business leaders, and business advising services through the SBDC.
“This Holiday Market is more than an event; it’s a snapshot of the entrepreneurial energy emerging across our campus,” said Andy Gold, clinical professor of entrepreneurship. “Our students are building real ventures, solving real problems, and shaping the future of the Bronx’s creative and small-business economy.”
Following the success of its inaugural year, plans are already underway to expand the Holiday Market in 2026 with additional vendors, community partners, and holiday-themed programming.