A new website developed by University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic students has provided a significant boost to One Drop Refillery, a Hudson-based small business focused on sustainable living. The website, built by business information technology and digital marketing technology capstone students, aims to educate consumers about the refillery concept and make it easier for them to shop for products.
Jennifer Fravel, owner of One Drop Refillery, sought a functional and approachable website to explain her business model. Refilleries allow customers to bring reusable containers to refill essential oils, cleaning supplies, personal care items, or dry goods, reducing single-use plastics. Fravel needed to communicate this new concept, answer common questions, and highlight the benefits of sustainable living.
The UW-Stout Polytechnic capstone team, led by student Kolton Dupey, director of technology and marketing at Bernicke Wealth Management, took Fravel’s vision and created a website designed to feel welcoming and informative for newcomers to the refill concept. The students researched Hudson’s demographics and sustainability-minded shoppers to develop three buyer personas. This helped them tailor the website’s content and design to attract specific customer segments.
“The capstone students took my vision and turned it into a website that was both functional and reflective of the One Drop brand,” Fravel said. “Most importantly for me, I wanted the website to feel welcoming and approachable, not overwhelming, for someone who may be completely new to the refill concept.”
Since its launch, One Drop Refillery’s website has seen over 2,000 visits from more than 1,200 individuals. Dupey noted that more than 80% of these visits originate from Wisconsin and Minnesota, indicating the site effectively reaches its intended local audience. The website has also shown strong engagement, with 14% of visitors returning in the last 30 days, a rate higher than nearly 80% of comparable home goods sites.
The student team also focused on user experience, ensuring the website was mobile-friendly, as over 70% of visits come from mobile devices. They selected Wix as the platform, citing its ease of use for future updates and its ability to accommodate Fravel’s current needs and future expansion plans.
“That outside perspective was incredibly valuable because, as the owner, I can sometimes assume people understand the concept as well as I do,” Fravel added. “The students helped me step back and look at my business through the eyes of the customer.”
The capstone project’s success not only benefited One Drop Refillery but also spurred the creation of a new business. Kolton Dupey, impressed by the real-world application of his skills, launched his own consulting business, Dupey Consulting. He plans to continue assisting local businesses with their digital presence while working full-time and pursuing his degree, which he expects to complete in 2027.
UW-Stout Polytechnic’s applied learning model aims to prepare students for the workforce. The university reports that 100% of recent Business Information Technology (BIT) and Digital Marketing Technology (DMT) graduates are employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation, with average starting salaries of $65,000 and $51,000, respectively.
Fravel expressed enthusiasm for continued collaborations, believing they create valuable connections between students, businesses, and the community. She highlighted the immense benefit of the students’ time, creativity, research, and fresh perspectives on a critical business asset like a website.
One Drop Refillery, which opened its doors in April 2026, has already facilitated 1,270 bottle refills, contributing to a reduction in waste. The business operates two storefronts in Hudson, on Sommers Street and Second Street.
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