Fifteen Harding students in an independent research business course are working with Duck and Buck Commander, the business behind “Duck Dynasty.”
Dr. Phil Brown, chair of the accounting and finance department, said he first had the idea of teaming up with Duck and Buck Commander when Willie and Korie Robertson visited campus in the fall. Brown said Director of Professional Business Studies Glen Metheny organized a special event and Q&A for business and communication students with the Robertsons.
One student asked Willie Robertson what his 3-5 year business plan was. Willie Robertson said they did not have one. Brown said this started the idea that would evolve into a relationship between Harding students, alumni, faculty and the Duck Commander and Buck Commander businesses.
Among the 15 students in the class, there are representatives from seven different majors — all hand-selected and recommended from their respective departments. In addition, several alumni have gotten involved to assist Brown. Blair Bryan, an alumnus and the director of alumni networking, joined the project after a phone call with Brown one night. Brown said he was in need of another set of eyes and ears in West Monroe, La., where the Duck Commander and Buck Commander businesses are located. Bryan offered his services and headed up the effort to get more alumni involved. Twelve alumni and four faculty members volunteered. Brown said two Harding board members are involved with the project as well.
Grant Taylor, a Harding alumnus and the general manager of Buck Commander, said he hopes that he can help students realize that they are not far away from the “real” business world. He said he is trying to be like a big brother and give them a “heads-up” about what is ahead.
“For us, from a business perspective, we understood that there is growth to be realized through exposing a little bit of vulnerability,” Taylor said. “From a student perspective, our hope is to convey the practicality of what they’re learning while they are getting their degree. There is some real relevance to these classes.”
John Gimber, licensing specialist for Duck and Buck Commander and Willie Robertson’s cousin, said the project is “one of the least one-sided agreements you’ll ever see.”
He said students get the opportunity to practice upper-level decision-making skills with zero risk and faculty get the chance to advise and shape students throughout the learning process. Gimber said Duck Commander and Buck Commander “get the ability to have a bunch of great minds … giving us advice and working on our behalf with the ability to pitch us ideas.”
“For John and (me) and for our organization, we’ve invested some time,” Taylor said. “And I feel confident if this thing ended today, I’ve been compensated double for my time.”
After seeing the well-rounded success and benefits from this project, Bryan said he hopes that more departments and more classes will want to pursue projects like this one.
This semester the students are focusing on branding the business. According to Brown, they chose branding as the focus because it is the core of a business and every other project and idea should branch out from the central brand.
Bryan recalled the first off-site retreat with the students in the class. One female student told him: “I think I learned more today than any other single day in my life.” Brown said the project is a “different vision in education” that teaches the spontaneity and flexibility needed to work in business.
