Marquette Business senior Elliot Russell loves to feed people.
The marketing and information systems major’s entrepreneurial journey began when he purchased a flattop grill pushcart, hosting barbeques for local youth and friends before hitting the streets to sell smash burgers on weekends. When he rented out Innovation Kitchen in the Alumni Memorial Union, he sold out in three days.
Today, Russell is the founder of Good Eats Sandwiches, the first student-run food vendor to officially partner with Marquette. He’s also the driving force behind “Everybody Eats,” an initiative that provides free meals to refugees and others in low-income neighborhoods.
It’s all an apt fit for Russel, who will graduate this week with a concentration in professional selling through the College of Business Administration’s Center for Professional Selling, which prepares students for successful, values-driven careers in sales.
“I was inspired to start Good Eats Sandwiches during the summer before my junior year,” Russell recalls. “I was interning at Pete’s Pops at the time, and it was the longest period I had stayed away from home. While making my own meals, I took inspiration from my mother. She is from France, and I grew up eating sandwiches made from all the ingredients in my house — baguettes, nice cheeses and leftover meats.
“I have a diverse group of friends and have been exposed to ethnic foods from all over the world. I started testing out different recipes by making sandwiches for my roommates, and they’ve always hyped up my food. Once they started comparing my sandwiches to their moms’ cooking, I knew I had something special!”
For Russell, his business venture has never been about profit. Instead, he has let his passion for good food and helping people lead the way, a shining example of Marquette’s Catholic, Jesuit values in action.
“I have always loved feeding people, and it’s a big pillar of my faith to look out for the less fortunate,” says Russell. “My goal was never to turn a huge profit, but to make enough to be able to give free meals to those in need. This is what drove me to start ‘Everybody Eats’ —it brings me joy to see the genuine smile on people’s faces when they enjoy food. Food brings people together in special ways.”
The business acumen and applied learning opportunities offered through a Marquette Business education provided the foundation for Russell’s passion and entrepreneurial spirit to take shape and make a positive impact in the community.
Russell has also participated in a number of on-campus initiatives aimed at supporting student entrepreneurs, including the Dorm Fund and Pitch Purpose competitions, where he was awarded funding for his business. He even had the unique opportunity to pitch his business to alumnus and NBA legend Dwyane Wade.
“Marquette does a great job of providing students with a wide variety of opportunities to learn from professionals and alumni,” Russell says. “From pitch competitions to networking events to expert faculty who are more than willing to help, I have felt supported each step of the way both in and out of the classroom.”
After graduation, Russell plans to pursue a full-time career in business, continue running Good Eats Sandwiches and provide meals to community members in need.
