Wood Enterprise Institute

What is the Wood Enterprise Institute (WEI)?

The Wood Enterprise Institute (WEI) is a hallmark example of the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials’ commitment to experiential learning, where students don’t just study concepts — they put them into practice. In this immersive, two-semester-long program, students operate as a real start-up company, taking an original wood product from concept to market. They work as a team to design and manufacture their product, create a business and marketing plan, and manage all aspects of production and sales.

Open to all majors, the WEI program (two semesters of classes and labs) blends creativity, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship, helping students develop valuable skills in leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and project management. Since 2007, student teams have designed and sold products - such as coasters, cutting boards, pet food bowl holders, and a variety of home décor items - adding their own flair and innovation.

Through the WEI, students gain more than just business knowledge; they experience the thrill and challenge of turning an idea into something tangible that customers can buy and enjoy. It’s hands-on, minds-on learning at its finest — an experience that builds confidence, sparks creativity, and prepares graduates to succeed in any field.

What classes are needed to join the Wood Enterprise Institute (WEI) for the 2025-2026 school year?
 

• Fall 2025: SBIO 3445 - Entrepreneurial Wood Design and Innovation (3 credits): Year-long, concept-to-market business project applied thru the creation of a student-selected, designed, and manufactured wood product. Instructional Hours: (2 Lec, 3 Lab, 3 Crd). Tues./Thurs. 12:30pm-1:45pm and lab on Tues. 2:00pm-4:50pm

• Spring, 2026: SBIO 3446 - Entrepreneurial Wood Design and Innovation (3 credits): This is a follow-up course to SBIO 3445. Students continue experiential learning in teams, organizing and deploying their wood product project according to a business plan. Instructional Hours: (2 Lec, 3 Lab, 3 Crd).

Through the Wood Enterprise Institute, students gain firsthand experience in every facet of running a business. From the moment their team decides on a product concept, they step into the roles of entrepreneurs - conducting market research, creating budgets, sourcing materials, and developing a cohesive brand identity. They learn to set prices that balance profitability with customer appeal, create marketing strategies to promote their products, and manage production schedules to meet demand. Students also handle sales transactions, track inventory, and evaluate financial performance, just as they would in a real company. Along the way, they discover how to navigate challenges such as supply chain issues, shifting customer preferences, and cost constraints.

By the end of the year, they not only have a tangible product to show for their work, but also the confidence and practical know-how to start and manage a business from the ground up.

In addition to mastering the business side of their start-up, WEI students roll up their sleeves and bring their product ideas to life in SBIO's fully equipped laboratories. Under the guidance of faculty and staff, they learn to operate woodworking machinery and tools safely, developing both technical skills and a respect for proper safety protocols. Students work through every stage of production—from selecting and preparing raw materials to cutting, shaping, assembling, and finishing each piece with precision. Along the way, they explore creative problem-solving, finding innovative ways to improve efficiency, enhance quality, and add unique design touches.

Whether crafting coasters, cutting boards, pet food bowl holders, or custom home décor, students gain an appreciation for craftsmanship, attention to detail, and the value of producing a high-quality product that customers will be proud to own.

Using wood as the primary material for WEI projects reflects the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials’ mission to promote environmentally responsible practices. Wood is a renewable, natural resource that stores carbon, requires less energy to process than many alternative materials, and can be sourced responsibly to ensure healthy forest ecosystems.

By designing and manufacturing products from wood, students learn how sustainable material choices can reduce environmental impact while still delivering beauty, functionality, and durability. This process not only deepens their understanding of sustainability but also equips them with marketable skills that employers value - such as sustainable design thinking, product development, project management, and the ability to communicate the environmental benefits of their work.

As a result, graduates of the WEI program enter the workforce prepared to contribute to industries where innovation, responsibility, and environmental stewardship go hand-in-hand.