Students lend a hand with new business
Tulane students have been helping New Orleans native Brandon Martin with his business, The Errand Man Can, through the Levy-Rosenblum Institute for Entrepreneurship. (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano)
Stop wasting precious gas miles driving to and from the grocery store. No more walking to the supermarket and lugging heavy shopping bags home. New Orleans native Brandon Martin is working with Tulane University students to boost his business, The Errand Man Can.
The Errand Man Can is a grocery delivery service that provides high-quality and low-cost food items from Trader Joe"s grocery to Tulane University students and residents of the Garden District.
“Parents can order Trader Joe's care packages and have them delivered directly to their kids on campus. That way, they know their children are not just spending money on unhealthy snacks.”—Brandon Martin, The Errand Man Can
The Levy-Rosenblum Institute for Entrepreneurship at Tulane selected Martin as an entrepreneur that A. B. Freeman School of Business students would help. Program manager Rosalind Butler works closely with the student interns and clients to ensure realistic deliverables and outcomes.
Senior Callista Michael-Rill, an intern with the Levy-Rosenblum Institute, said, “I have been aiding Brandon in a variety of ways to get his business going, including helping him train the three other Tulane students who are brand ambassadors Olivia Celata, Marissa Wiegner and Emily Jeffrey.”
Shoppers can place orders anytime online using their computers, phones or tablets and Martin will deliver groceries from Trader Joe"s in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“I got the concept for The Errand Man Can from living in New York the last 10 years where you have all types of conveniences and delivery services,” Martin said. “When I was getting my master"s degree, I literally did not have time to think about eating, preparing a meal or grocery shopping, so I utilized delivery services even for my laundry.”
Martin completes an errand run once a week for minimal orders of $25. Shoppers must place their orders by 4:30 p.m. each Thursday. On Sunday mornings, Martin drives to Baton Rouge to pick up the groceries from Trader Joe"s and makes deliveries between 1:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.
Customers can pick up their orders from the designated spot located at the corner of Audubon and Zimple streets for no additional charge or The Errand Man Can offers direct-door delivery for a $10 fee.
Greg Thomson is a senior at Tulane University majoring in communication.
