Each year, the Entrepreneurship program in the UW Business School provides an opportunity for students to take a business idea and start their own business, thus providing a hands-on experience in a real-world marketing industry.

This year, a dynamic group is using the opportunity to exhibit their clothing line, Acadeema Apparel.

Acadeema Apparel targets UW faculty and students through creating custom designs for various departments and organizations.

The business began in 2006 when a group of students wanted to purchase UW Business School clothing merchandise, but discovered the task to be nearly impossible.

"We wanted to buy Business school sweatshirts earlier this year," said Joseph Sunga, sales and marketing vice president of Acadeema Apparel. "We were surprised we didn't have sweatshirts and surprised to learn other student organizations were in the same boat."

The group brainstormed ideas that would ultimately benefit the general public through customization, convenience and commerce.

"We were exchanging ideas at the beginning of the quarter," said Tim Uomoto, creative director of Acadeema Apparel. "We got together as a group and contributed ideas that could be implemented and had potential. We wanted people to know that we were a clothing line targeted towards academic clubs."

Acadeema Apparel designed the pharmacy class of 2010 sweatshirts this year and is advertising its name through various outlets across campus.

"We have made a good connection with Hala Dillsi," Sunga said. "We made an announcement to Student Senate at the beginning of the year. We're advertising through word of mouth and contacting student organizations through e-mail. The name has been going around."

Other clients of the company include Phi Alpha Delta, the UW College of Forest Resources/Forest Club, the UW Business School and ASUW Student Senate.

The student-run company will benefit these five students in their academic careers while allowing clients to show pride in their educational program.

"I enjoy working with all these talented people and it's great to learn and get hands on experience," said Wendy Lee, chief operations officer. "We realize the freedom we have in this business. I've learned a lot from communicating with people from different backgrounds."

All proceeds made through Acadeema Apparel will support the UW Balmer Hall Building Fund.

"In terms of the program at the school, it's valuable to give students real world experience," said Aaron Hawley, chief executive officer. "In the advanced phase, it is incredibly valuable for when students graduate into the real world."

The group anticipates the business will serve as a binding component between faculty, students and their individual facilities.

"We're creating merchandise for different student organizations to promote pride for the organization they represent," Sunga said. "You can get a shirt for something you're very passionate about that's specific to your community, instead of something generic. The best part is that our clients get to have input about their ideas. We try to get in their heads to create an idea and take the product from start to finish."

The group is optimistic about the future of their business and hope other students will begin to take notice.

"This is real life, real money, real people," said Shirley Khang, chief financial officer. "Our company has a lot of potential to be very successful."

Reach reporter Vicky Yan at news@thedaily.washington.edu.