Ipswich students show their UQ pride

A team of business students from the University of Queensland's Ipswich campus have gone into business marketing UQ-themed products to raise money for charity. The students called their company Eye Inc. and worked with Chew's Place Consulting (CPC) to produce transparent I HEART UQ pencil cases with 10% of their profits to be donated to Variety Queensland. Managing Director and business student Jonny Bell said one of the main objectives of the product was to give UQ students, staff and alumni a unique way of showing their love for the University. He said, "I think it is an extremely stylish and practical way to show pride in UQ." Mr Bell said he had gained enormously valuable experience from the short time he had been running the business. He said, "There were no shortcuts or limitations. We literally created a functioning business from scratch in just a few weeks." Members of Eye Inc. have forgone commission on the product, instead choosing to redirect those funds to help Variety Queensland support disadvantaged children. Mr Bell said, "Every child deserves to have a childhood." "Variety's mission is one we strongly support and we are extremely excited to be able to cooperate with them to provide a greater public awareness of the work they do." Eye Inc. marketing manager Andrea Vignati said she had thoroughly enjoyed the creative aspect of the course. "My favourite part was the brainstorming to generate the idea of the pencil cases. The friendly environment the course created made it a fun experience," she said. The I HEART UQ pencil cases are a continuation of the theme established by the popular "I HEART UQ" calico bags marketed by fellow student start-up Strictly Aces in 2008. Eye Inc. has already generated interest from customers including a large sale to UQ Business School. The pencil cases are available online and will also be on sale at a stall located on level 2 of Colin Clark Building on Wednesday October 6 from 9am. The cost of the pencil case is $4.99. Further information on Eye Inc. is available on the company's Facebook group, "I LOVE UQ".