For many students, their first apartment feels like a blank canvas – exciting but daunting. Furnishing it can quickly become a logistical nightmare, especially when you factor in tight budgets and delivery hassle. Thankfully, WashU students don’t have to face this struggle alone. Unboxed Gems, an MBA-founded company, is here to help turn dorm rooms into dream homes with affordable furniture and convenient delivery.

Unboxed Gems wasn’t born in a classroom; it emerged from a real-world need. The founders, a group of WashU MBA students, saw firsthand their peers’ challenges when trying to furnish their apartments. Instead of simply commiserating, they decided to take action and make the process of finding stylish and affordable furniture as easy and stress-free as possible for their fellow students.

The journey wasn’t without its obstacles. One hurdle they encountered was revamping their website to showcase the quality of their inventory. A seemingly simple task quickly snowballed into a full-fledged project. The team cleaned and prepped the furniture, created a new backdrop, arranged everything for professional photography, and meticulously edited the photos. The result was a clean, professional website that showcases the quality of their offerings.

Unboxed Gems CMO Haad Zahid said that receiving funding from WashU was a significant vote of confidence in their idea. Having their own inventory and completing paid moving jobs were exciting progress markers. But making their very first sale – a tangible symbol of their hard work paying off – was the most rewarding.

Unboxed Gems is more than just a furniture company; it’s a testament to the WashU community’s nurturing environment for student entrepreneurs. Professors like Doug Villhard offered invaluable advice to the team, but the most significant impact came from Josh Samuel, Unboxed Gems’ CEO. Haad credits Josh’s constant innovation, dedication, and leadership for propelling the business forward.

Haad has a simple yet powerful message for aspiring student entrepreneurs that was shared with him by a mentor: “Your startup isn’t a hobby Don’t treat it like one.” Be prepared to put in the long hours and never lose sight of your vision. The road to success won’t be smooth sailing, but the rewards are more than worth it.

Unboxed Gems is a shining example of what students can achieve with a little ingenuity and a lot of determination. If you’re a student searching for furniture that fits your budget and style, check out their website or follow them on Instagram @unboxedgems.