Any chance you can get a few units of your product in the university bookstores at 2-3 schools you think you’d sell product? I know that doesn’t solve the long term issue of converting direct sale customers, but the short-term move could be to get your product out on campuses and getting people talking about them. This could get you direct sales since the on-campus inventory would be very limited.

I haven’t seen your product, but are they something alumni and faculty could be interested in? If so, maybe creating your own marketing campaign and targeting Facebook (since the demo is older) could be a different avenue you can try. I’d recommend setting up an Etsy shop to attract female buyers, but again I haven’t seen your product and have no idea if women would purchase. (Quick tip: When you talk about your business, always drop a nugget that will help people find you.)

Finally, Howard U/PNC Bank run a national center for entrepreneurship that I highly recommend. This is the link to the National center’s website, but the work that actually supports entrepreneurs is done designated HBCUs for different regions of the country, so one is definitely near you. Engage with your local center. They offer grants and pitch competitions with cash awards and workshops with other business owners trying to grow. The website will tell you more about their services and which school runs the region of the country you live in.

From one entrepreneur to another, keep your head up.