On campus, Business Administration major Dylan Harper ‘19 is a Residence Life Community Advisor, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and a Student Government Association Senator for the senior class, while also working part-time off-campus at Coxe Curry & Associates as a campaign assistant.

Harper can also add small business founder to his growing resume.

Inspired by his joy of buying second-hand apparel but burdened by the inconvenience of not being able to visit thrift stores as often as he’d like with his college schedule, Harper started Quik Threads to bring the shopping experience closer to consumers.

On September 18 and 19, Harper and the team held Quik Thread’s official launch with a pop-up shop in the Turner Lynch Campus Center. It was Quik Threads’ first public exposure, and Harper deemed it successful.

“It really put the quick in Quik Threads,” Harper said of the kickoff, as QT sold nearly 75-percent of its inventory over two days. Harper was blown away by the response and how many Oglethorpe students participated by coming out and buying clothes. “The coolest thing was watching people buy it and wear it on the spot, or the next day after the event.”

The idea of owning his own business first came to Harper about a year ago, and he decided to put a plan into action this past spring. However, he is not doing this alone. With the help of other Oglethorpe students, he and his team began collecting clothes, creating a website, and developing a marketing strategy to get Quik Threads off the ground.

Quik Threads sold more than expected during the pop-up – a good problem to have – and is now replenishing its inventory for future events. Next, Harper wants to engage in the Brookhaven community and grow from there. Harper also wants to start branching out to other colleges to increase the visibility of the company, because as Dylan explained, Quik Threads is, “built by students, for students.” The vision is to collect and sell all types of apparel, and expose people to more global fashion.

Harper also gave credit to the business spirit that surrounds Oglethorpe.

“Oglethorpe has given me a resource and has taught me the importance of wanting to be a continuous learner,” Harper said. “It has given me a network of people who I am able to bounce ideas, build a network, and ask questions. There is so much support, not only from students but faculty and staff as well. People see entrepreneurship as risky, but I received so much help from the Oglethorpe community.”

Quik Threads intends to continue growing its online presence, in addition to pop-up shops. For more information, check out Quik Thread’s website.