Student spotlight: Gabriella Mak, NRF Foundation Next Gen finalist

Gabriella Mak, an Indiana University junior from the Chicago suburb of Long Grove, Illinois, is making waves by combining her love for business and fashion. Studying marketing, business analytics, and merchandising, Gabbi is a student in both the Kelley School of Business and the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design. She’s brought her vision to life through innovative projects, from creating bold merchandising strategies to earning a spot as a top-five finalist in the NRF Foundation’s Next Generation Scholarship.  

It’s a competition in which Eskenazi School merchandising students have established a formidable track record: Gabbi is the school’s tenth top-five finalist in the last 12 years. This year's finalists will gather at the NRF Foundation Honors 2025 gala in New York in January, where the top recipient will be announced, earning a $25,000 scholarship, with the four other finalists each receiving a $10,000 scholarship.

On campus, Gabbi is involved in the Retail Studies Organization, the Retail Workshop, and Phi Gamma Nu, a business fraternity. With her drive, resourcefulness, and passion for making an impact, Gabbi embodies the spirit of IU—exploring new opportunities, building meaningful connections, and thriving across disciplines. Eskenazi School communications and marketing intern Forough Sehat interviewed Gabbi for this profile. 

Forough: Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me today, Gabbi. I'm really excited to learn more about your journey and experiences. How do you balance being a student in both Kelley and Eskenazi? 

Gabbi: It's been an interesting challenge. I've always known I wanted to combine business with fashion and retail, so this feels like the right path for me. My mom worked in marketing, so I grew up familiar with the business world. When I discovered the merchandising minor in Eskenazi, I realized it was the perfect way to merge my analytical and creative sides. 

Right now, I feel more rooted in Kelley because my majors are there, and I'm currently deep in I-Core, which is very business-focused. But I love my time in Eskenazi, especially through RSO and my merchandising classes. Spending time at Kirkwood Hall feels like a nice creative break from Kelley's structured, analytical side. 

Forough: I can imagine it must feel like two completely different worlds. Can you tell me more about the NRF experience? 

Gabbi: Sure! NRF stands for the National Retail Federation. It's a large organization that focuses on empowering people in the retail industry, including students and professionals. I got involved last year when I participated in the University Challenge, a group case competition. Later, my professors nominated me for the NRF Foundation Rising Star Scholarship, which awarded me $1,000. I was given the chance to attend the NRF Foundation student program in New York, held every year in January.

In New York, I attended panels, career fairs, and a major retail event, "The Big Show," geared more toward industry professionals. It was very inspiring to see big names in the industry like Fern Mallis, who started New York Fashion Week, and Libby Edelman from Sam Edelman shoes. I also met IU alumni who are now leaders in the industry, like the Chief Merchant at PetSmart and others. It was amazing to see how far IU graduates have gone in this field. 

This year, I applied for the NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship. The application process involved essays, case studies, and multiple interviews. In my case, I created a collaboration concept for Uniqlo, a Japanese retailer known for its minimalistic basics. I proposed a partnership with Tyler, the Creator, to launch a bold new brand called Golf Nouveau. The idea was to empower Uniqlo's customers to take more creative fashion risks. It was a long process, but I'm proud to have made it to the top five finalists. 

Forough: That's such a brilliant idea. How do you approach projects like this and find inspiration? 

Gabbi: For this project, I started by immersing myself in the brand. I visited a Uniqlo store in Boston, observed customers, and took notes. I noticed they had a diverse customer base and were known for collaborations with pop culture figures. 

That's when I thought of Tyler, the Creator. I'd heard he often shops at Uniqlo, and I discovered he even wears their basics during performances. Combining his bold aesthetic with Uniqlo's minimalism felt like a natural fit. Throughout the process, I listened to his music and researched his fashion influence. I wanted the concept to feel authentic to him and Uniqlo, and it was a really rewarding experience. 

Forough: You’ve been busy with NRF and your studies. What other projects have you worked on at IU? 

Gabbi: One project that stands out was for my visual merchandising class. We had to choose an e-commerce brand and create a plan to bring it to life as a brick-and-mortar store. My team and I picked Djerf Avenue, a trendy clothing brand run by an influencer. We imagined a physical store in Chicago, building on the success of their pop-up events in New York. It was exciting to combine creativity with business strategy. 

Another unique project was for a business writing class. We worked on a rebranding proposal for Dan-O's Seasoning, a niche, healthy seasoning brand. We modernized their image to make it more appealing to a broader audience. That project helped me refine my skills in business communication and prepare for challenges like the NRF case. 

Forough: You've shared so much about your experiences and accomplishments here at IU. I'm curious—what initially led you to choose IU as the place to pursue your studies? 

Gabbi: Honestly, I didn't want to come to IU at first. Being from Illinois, I wanted to move far from home and thought a big city like New York or Boston would be better for pursuing fashion. I applied to a few Midwestern schools but didn't seriously consider them initially. My parents, however, were set on me staying closer to home, so we toured IU—and they loved it. 

At first, I wasn't sure, but IU's strong business program convinced me to give it a chance. I realized it's not about where you go but how you make the most of your opportunities. Coming from a large high school, I was used to being part of a big community and felt confident I could get involved and thrive here. 

Joining my business fraternity during my first semester made a huge difference—it gave me a supportive community of friends. Seeing familiar faces from high school and other Chicago suburbs also made the transition easier. Now, I love it here. I've found great organizations, friends, and opportunities, and I'm so glad I decided to come to IU. 

Forough: What are your plans moving forward? 

Gabbi: I'm studying abroad in Milan next semester, and I'm so excited about it! I've been to Italy before and can't wait to immerse myself in the fashion scene there. I'm hoping to intern while I'm there, even if it's just doing small tasks. After that, I'll work in Bentonville, Arkansas, as a merchandising intern for Sam's Club, part of Walmart. It's been such a busy semester with I-Core, so I look forward to traveling and gaining new experiences. 

Forough: How has it been transitioning from Chicago to a smaller city like Bloomington? 

Gabbi: It's been an adjustment. Growing up in Chicago, I loved exploring the city and its possibilities. Bloomington is smaller, but it has its own charm. There's so much to enjoy here, like trying new restaurants, walking around campus, and especially the beautiful fall scenery. Having a car this semester has expanded my horizons, and I've been able to explore more of the area. 

Forough: Do you have a favorite spot in Bloomington? 

Gabbi: The Eskenazi Art Museum! It was one of the first places I visited when I toured IU, and it's still one of my favorites. I also love Soma Coffee, especially the one on 3rd Street—it's so bright and spacious. Recently, I've been eating at Chubbie's on Kirkwood a lot. It's like a local version of Chipotle, but better. You should try it if you haven't! 

Forough: I'll add it to my list! Do you have any advice for students considering IU? 

Gabbi: Be open-minded, and don't be afraid to try new things. Even if you're unsure at first, give yourself the chance to explore and adapt. If something doesn't work out, that's okay—just keep looking for what feels right. IU has so much to offer, and it’s all about finding your community and making the most of your time here. 

Forough: Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Gabbi. This has been such a great conversation. 

Gabbi: Thank you for having me! This was so much fun, and I enjoyed it.