Students Help New Local Business Boost Internet Presence

August 15, 2017

OBU students Bailey Davis and Kailey Moore took their classroom knowledge and made a real-world impact for a local business during the spring 2017 semester. They partnered with a local small business as part of their small business marketing class taught by Dr. Daryl Green, assistant professor of business and Dickinson Chair of Business. Davis and Moore selected a new business in town, Element Elite, a tumbling gym in the heart of downtown Shawnee.

Element Elite’s goals are to grow as a small business, have a more prominent presence online through social media and to expand their facility. Shayla Menhusen, owner of Element Elite, has years of tumbling, coaching and cheerleading experience. During the spring semester, Davis and Moore worked with Menhusen by offering new insight in the marketing arena, specifically through online marketing.

With their certification in Google digital marketing, the two students helped Element Elite improve its online and citywide presence. They created a detailed Instagram for the small business and updated the business’ Facebook page. Davis and Moore also aided in setting up dates for various summer camps.

Moore looked at other gym facilities to give advice on best practices to Element Elite.

“The greatest thing I learned while working with Element Elite was taking on the challenge of doing research on other gyms and seeing how they market,” she said. “I then examined what I liked and didn't like and helped use it to Shayla's advantage to give her the best marketing tools.”

Fellow teammate Davis remained in contact with Element Elite over the summer; helping with expansion budgeting and creating a business plan.

“One of the greatest things I learned while working with Element Elite was how a fast growing small business adapts to the demand of customers,” she said. “While working with this company, I experienced how well the business is growing due to great marketing and hard work.”