From Classroom Idea to Campus App: Alexis Ward ’25 Launches Student-Focused App Campus Collective

Alexis Ward (Questrom‘25) is back on campus after one year postgrad promoting the launch of a new digital marketplace called Campus Collective, motivated not only by her entrepreneurial spirit, but also significant college student demand. Campus Collective, initially just a concept that came out of one her BU Questrom concentration courses, is now developed and live in the app store.

Starting from her freshman year at Boston University, Ward’s beloved salon visits began to rack up. Unwilling as so many are to sacrifice her essential little luxuries, she took up a waitressing job in Brookline to sustain herself. She observed that many other students were also struggling to manage jobs and classes while still paying premiums for common services. These observations became apparent when Ward pitched the initial idea for Campus Collective in her MK467 Global Marketing Management class. When Professor Sharon Topper asked the class who would use the app – every hand rose.

With Professor Topper as her mentor, Ward began to build her business right after graduation. Equipped with the entrepreneurial experience from the Questrom undergraduate core innovation project, and the work ethic learned from teaming with Questrom peers, she was well-positioned to bring her idea to fruition. Drawing on her experience of outsourcing services such as haircuts, manicures, professional headshots, fitness classes, and spray tans, she built a digital marketplace for students, by students. Verified with their student email, consumers can use on-campus student vendors for local, affordable, and community-building services af all kinds. Conversely, students can operate and earn from their personal businesses on the site. Campus Collective is available now on the App Store for all BU students, with plans to scale to other campuses soon. Ward is proud to have her alma mater as the perfect launch point, hoping to build the campus ecosystem for student vendors and consumers alike.

Inspiring entrepreneurs on campus, she encourages students to continue building businesses after graduation as she has. Currently navigating a move to New York City, a new job, and building Campus Collective, Ward advises to just “take the leap and figure it out as you go.” With a supportive community and proper organizational systems, she has been able to thrive in her new environments and avocations. Finally, she urges everyone to stay flexible and open-minded in their college and early post-grad life. A great way to just start is by exploring small business opportunities on Campus Collective or looking into any campus entrepreneurial experiences.

Article and Interview by Amelie Bram