From Theory to Practice: My First Real Dive into Marketing
In my third bachelor year at UHasselt, I had the unique opportunity to start my own Small Business Project (SBP) with four fellow students: Blixt. Our mission with Blixt was simple yet bold: to design aesthetically reflective sleeves that make people more visible in traffic without the need to wear traditional, bright-yellow safety vests.
The idea stemmed from the observation that while safety in traffic is essential, many people avoid wearing fluorescent vests because they're not particularly stylish. We wanted to combine visibility with a product people would feel proud to wear. After numerous brainstorming sessions, sketches, and careful material selection, Blixt was born. The name "Blixt" means "flash" in Swedish and perfectly captures our vision: safety with style.
Alongside the creative journey of designing the product itself, I took on the responsibility of marketing our startup. I managed the online presence of Blixt, focusing on social media and our website. This experience allowed me to develop and showcase my marketing skills, finding the best ways to communicate our message to a broad audience. To enhance Blixt's visual identity, I organized a brand shoot for product photos, ensuring the images reflected our blend of aesthetics and safety.
Throughout the project, I also learned to use Canva, which became a fantastic tool for creating visual content and strengthening our brand identity. From eye-catching social media posts to sleek website elements, this experience taught me the power of branding and the importance of a brand's look and feel.
This project not only gave me invaluable hands-on experience but also revealed my true passion for marketing and branding. I discovered how much I enjoy working on a brand's visual and strategic side and how inspiring it is to tell a story that resonates with people. This realization ultimately led me to pursue further studies in strategic marketing, where I could deepen and refine this passion.
Looking forward, I'm excited to take on a role in the marketing world where I can help brands grow and share their unique stories. Blixt was my first step on this journey, laying the foundation for what I hope will be a long and fulfilling career in marketing.