Sparrows and Lilies: A student-led business all about slowing down and living in the moment

By Sam Sofio

In the spring semester of 2024, three students – Anastasia Stanhope, a junior Accounting major; Cadence Brown, a junior Marketing major; and Evelyn Mazzye, a senior Finance major – collaborated together to create a business called Sparrows & Lilies. Through Cedarville University’s Integrated Business Core program, they developed a meaningful product.

The Integrated Business Core program enables business students to create, manage and market exciting and innovative businesses. The Integrated Business Core is a year-long program where student-led teams obtain funding and implement what they learned in marketing, management and finance to produce a successful business. 

Sparrows & Lilies is seeking to do exactly that. 

Sparrows & Lilies encourages anxious students, busy mothers and daily coffee lovers with a refreshing product that brightens each day with a reminder of God’s tender love and care for them. Sparrows & Lilies offers women an attractive and unique drink sleeve that slides onto their favorite hot or iced beverage to absorb condensation and keep their hands not too hot, not too cold, but just right.

“We knew we wanted to do something with coffee because we all love coffee,” Brown said. “So we went down to Rinnova and did a lot of market research. We asked people what they did not like about their ice drinks, and we got a lot of feedback about condensation and how that annoys everyone.” 

They based the business name on Matthew 6:25-34, Sparrows & Lilies, and incorporated the name into their drink sleeves elegant design. 

“This verse teaches us that if God cares for the lilies in the field and the sparrows in the sky, how much more does he love and care for us?” Brown said. “We know that everyone lives in a busy world. We are not taking moments to slow down and live in the moment, but if you use this drink sleeve and look at it, you are able to take a moment and remember that God loves you and God cares for you just as He cares for the sparrows and the lilies.”

During the fall semester of 2024, their plan became a reality when Sparrows & Lilies was officially founded.

“Having a product in our hands is encouraging and exciting because it took us so long to get here,” Brown said.

Stanhope, Brown and Mazzye are encouraged to hear compliments such as, “This is so cute,” “This is so fun” and “I use it all the time.”

“I love seeing people use our sleeves,” Brown said. “I am encouraged to remind people through our brand that Jesus loves them.”

Through social media, marketing tables and word of mouth, Stanhope, Brown and Mazzye seek to achieve their mission, “To encourage people that when life gets overwhelming, slow down and focus on the good around you.”

Despite only having three team members, the Sparrows & Lilies team works together to overcome obstacles. Brown handles the marketing and communications, Mazzye handles the business financials and Stanhope assists in both the marketing and financial aspects of the company. Brown and Stanhope work together to track inventory and ship their product. Through the Integrated Business Core program, Stanhope, Brown and Mazzye have learned the importance of communication. 

“If we are not communicating, our product is not going to succeed,” Brown said. “Whether it’s communicating what kind of Instagram post we want that day or communicating finances.”

Especially with Christmas around the corner, Sparrows and Lilies’ drink sleeves are an excellent gift option for moms, sisters, aunts, cousins and grandmothers. From refreshing smoothies to hot or iced coffee, Sparrows & Lilies provides a reminder to live in the moment and value what is in front of you. 

“Especially for moms in their busy days,” Brown said. “If they get an iced drink from a coffee shop, they can put it on their cup, and remember – slow down, it’s okay,” 

Sparrows & Lilies can be followed on Instagram at @sparrowsliliesco or on Facebook at Sparrows & Lilies Co.

Sam Sofio is a sophomore Professional Writing and Information Design major. He enjoys conversations about the love of Christ and aspires to write for a Christian organization.