Learning in Action: Tilde Bean

Tilde Bean, a new eCommerce platform creating inclusive clothing such as t-shirts and casual work apparel for women in STEM, places women at the center of its mission. One of the ways this small but mighty business achieves its goal is by offering short-term, high-impact experiential learning opportunities for current Parkside students.

Jozi Anderson, a UW-Parkside alum, recently launched Tilde Bean with the expert support of Kathryn Jackson, Director of Parkside's Small Business Development Center. Jozi shared, “Kathryn has been instrumental in working with Wisconsin entrepreneurs. Kathryn's belief in me was the nudge needed to realize Tilde Bean's sisterhood community mission. Kathryn led me to Kaila Bingen of Parkside's Community and Business Engagement, who is amazing with supporting students and businesses on our journeys. With these inspiring people collaborating with Tilde Bean, we are able to build into a business that will be a bridge to belonging.”

In order to expand her work, Jozi knew she would need more help. By joining the platform Parker Dewey, she was able to hire Jenny Osorio, a senior business management and marketing major, and Brianna Hunter, a junior business management student, as micro-interns. Jozi explained that when developing these roles for Brianna and Jenny, she considered her own internship experience when she was at Parkside. “My Parkside internship raised me up from a timid girl in some spaces to an experience where I reported to a woman who was a role model for other women. She created an environment where women were seen and heard as colleagues, not competitors. That experience shines a light on Tilde Bean's mission of community-building and sisterhood through thoughtful ethical design.”

Jenny started her micro-internship close to graduation and demonstrated an incredible work ethic while balancing work with school. Jenny advanced from co-lead to leading project management, a role in which her extraordinary interpersonal skills play a major factor in the growth of Tilde Bean. Jenny shared, “I truly appreciate the learning experience and the opportunity to contribute to Tilde Bean.”

Brianna first started as a social media strategist, but her exceptional creativity quickly led her to assume the role of copywriter. She’s continued to grow her skills and is becoming the digital media lead to develop community engagement opportunities through educational and social content. Brianna reflected, “My favorite part of the internship is being able to see the work that I created out on social media!”

Brianna acknowledges that a major benefit of her micro-internship is the mentorship and leadership she receives from Jozi. “Jozi’s business is built on sisterhood, but how she treats us is also through the lens of sisterhood – the unification of women.”

Since its founding in 1968, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside has been a trusted partner for the region’s higher educational needs, empowering students to thrive, advancing applied knowledge, and developing talent for the future. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificates and pre-professional programs, designed to foster personal and professional growth through real-world and impactful learning experiences. Located in the dynamic Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, UW-Parkside offers unmatched access to world-class internships, professional networks, and endless career-building opportunities, placing students at the center of it all.

Media contact:

Derek Fye
Communications Manager
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Fye@uwp.edu | (262) 771-5419