Senior Molly Swope is on the brink of launching her own online business. She does not intend to sell clothes, used textbooks or electronics, but rather, bassoon reeds.

The name of Swope’s business is Bravo Bassoon Reeds and she hopes to have the business up and running by the start of November.

According to Swope, a music major and entrepreneur minor, each student playing the bassoon at the University is required to make their own reed, which is the attachment placed at the top of the instrument. Swope said once she realized the quality of handmade reeds, she got the idea to try to sell them.

‘Most reeds you find in music stores are cheaply made because they are mass produced by machines and those reeds usually only last a month or so,’ she said. ‘I think with handmade reeds you get a better sound and they last longer as well.’

Freshman Laura Willis has been a bassoonist for around eight years and she said she agrees handmade reeds are better than ones found in stores.

‘The reeds Molly intends to sell are excellent sounding reeds,’ she said. ‘They are solid and stable, which make them good quality.’

Not only is there appeal in the quality of the reeds, but also the need for them at nearby schools, which is another reason for creating a business, Swope said.

‘I know a lot of schools in Northwest Ohio buy a handful of reeds, especially at the beginning of the year, so the market is there,’ she said.

Bassoon professor Nate Zeisler is helping Swope get started by advising her on business decisions. He said his fascination with entrepreneurship and music is one of the driving factors of getting involved in this project.

‘I’ve always been interested in bridging the art world with the business world,’ he said. ‘I’ve been encouraging students to try and generate a fusion between the two fields and then Molly came up with this idea, which is exactly that.’

Zeisler said one key aspect that may lead to Bravo Bassoon Reeds being successful is the fact that the business is online.

‘At a music store you are usually going to spend a couple of extra bucks because they purchase their reeds from manufactures, which ups the price so the store can make a profit,’ he said. ‘The reeds we’re selling are made by hand and are less expensive, so I think there is good chance for this business to thrive.’

Although income would be nice, Zeisler said he hopes the business creates more than just money.

‘Our goal is to inspire other students to start their own businesses someday,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t have to be some big idea, just start small and that might lead into something big or at least a learning experience. I know Molly will definitely have something valuable to take away from this business and you never know what idea will take off.’

Swope said she is also looking at the bigger picture and not just dollar signs.

‘We really want to create a lot of good through this business,’ she said. ‘The plan is to provide people with a better quality product, which will make the instrument easier to play, and therefore, it will be more enjoyable. That is our way of being a musical advocate for the community.’

Swope said she plans on selling regular reeds for $10 and premium reeds for $25. Part of the purchase for each premium reed sold will be donated to the charity Global Heartstrings.

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