COLLEGE PROS™

UPDATE

2009-11-16T09:22:00.002-05:00

Change is upon us.

College Pros will relaunch in January 2010 as part of a new, more broad website recognizing the accomplishments of young individuals.

Please check back closer to the launch date for further information.

Thank you!

UPDATE

2009-06-05T06:58:00.002-04:00

Summmer has arrived, which means a whole new batch of pros. As we assemble the summer edition, take this moment to look back on past College Pros. From online business to a basketball philanthropist, we've got it all.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Think you should be on the site?

Email: ItsCollegePros@gmail.com

CP Feature: The BLACK Collection

2009-05-18T11:07:00.000-04:00

Reggie Black is founder and CEO of BLACK Collection, a clothing design company. He is a recent graduate of Delaware State University.

You started in the fashion industry at the age of 12 while working in a family business. What was this business? What did it expose you to?
I began my first quest at business, retail and fashion at an urban store located in Washington DC called SOLO (Strive Or Lose Out) Sports. Working at SOLO Sports exposed me to the inner works of a business, and what it took to operate a company overall. It taught me so much; I just knew that I wanted to create a fashion company that would cater to a clientele outside of the local area.

Did you have other experience in the fashion industry growing up?
I actually didn’t. SOLO Sports was pretty much it. I just knew where I wanted to take the company, so I couldn’t wait until I was able to travel, learn, and see more.

What made you realize that you wanted to start your own company? How old were you?
Well ever since I used to work in SOLO, I couldn’t wait to start the line. I actually decided to start the line on a bus ride during my study abroad experience in South Africa. I was on the bus writing ideas, and I just told myself when I get back to the States, I was going to begin the groundwork for starting the line. I was about 21 years old.

So you decided to start the BLACK Collection. What were your first three steps? The first three steps were getting all the legal, and tax documents in order that was first. The second step was getting advice from some great friends of mine that had already had clothing lines similar to what I wanted to do. (Shout out to Tabi Bonney). Just so I would at least have an idea of what to expect. The last step was to just get to work.

How many collections have you released since its inception? In what way do you try to make each collection different?
WOW!!! Great question! We've never released “collections”; we've just released products, up until our newest release of the Spring/Summer 09. That was a collection. I’m pretty sure we’ve released over 25 to 30 products. Considering we are an exclusive, limited product brand we try not to release too much, at one particular time. Each product we release we bring something different, step outside the box a bit, but we remain on course with the BC sharp point. I feel we grow through each piece we release.

What is your favorite piece in your current collection?
Hands down it has to be the BC Cardigan. My partner Dylan Chase created a masterpiece. Its clean, chic, and the elbow pads have a great quality finish when you actually see the product in person. The picture doesn’t do the product any justice. You have to see it in person, or purchase one at www.blkcollection.com

Have you been featured in any shows? If so, which ones?
Yes, we’ve been featured in several shows. HIV/AIDS Awareness Benefit Show Sponsored by BET, Howard University’s Spring Homecoming Show 2008, St. Mary’s College Fashion Show, Syracuse University Fashion Show, Pretty N Punk Fashion Show, EliteDC Magazine Spring Issue 08 Fashion Show, Sex in the City Fashion Show which featured a performance by Lyfe Jennings, etc.

What has been your most reliable source of funding? Has it been difficult to find financial support?
The most reliable source has been us: Team BLACK Collection. We have decided to fund everything ourselves to remain sole control of all business operations. Most investors tend to want a percentage or some sort of input in day-to-day operations. It has definitely been difficult, especially now with the economic hard times we are faced with now.

As founder/CEO, what is a typical workday like?
As of right now BLACK Collection is my full-time occupation, but I also have a regular job. My current (8am-3pm) offers the flexibility I need to get things done. A workday starts off with morning recaps, and things to do with my partner Dylan Chase. This occurs every morning before we clock in to our other jobs. After that I’m replying to emails, text messages, Facebook post, Twitter replies, etc. I normally receive a text from our PR Director Sonnie Daze with updates in regards to PR opportunities, and any additional ideas she may have around 10:30am. We follow through with what she has to discuss, and close any outstanding business ventures. During the day its constant contact with consumers, and people interested to know about BC. I live on my Blackberry. After my 8a-3p it’s straight to the grind. Whether it’s creating products, meeting my partner to go to a networking event around the city, or simply meeting and planning it’s strictly to the grind. Days off, and weekends and a completely different story, it’s work for a large percentage of the day. Probably all day!

Do you design everything yourself or do you work with a team?
Absolutely not! Team BLACK Collection works collectively on our pieces. Two of our new products the “Love Is Suicide” hoodie, and the “Man/Woman Hearts Tee were designed by our new edition to BC, Sonnie Daze. Dylan Chase designed the BC Cardigan. We all bring something different that works well with our team chemistry. Team BLACK Collection is comprised of 3 individuals. Dylan Chase who I was introduced to by my initial partner Mike Briscoe. She has been with the company for almost 2 years, and Sonnie Daze who has been a great friend, and supportive of the line for about 2 years and counting recently just joined the company. Sonnie and I met through Myspace, funny but true.

What makes the BLACK Collection different from other brands?
We don’t base our brand on current trends like most brands. What they fail to realize is that once that trends fades so does their business. We create personality driven, classic, chic, innovative products that will be appreciated years from now. We focus on longevity, and timeless brand equity, and brand loyalty.

Have you had to make any sacrifices to pursue this career?
Yep! A lot! I’ve made serious financial decisions to fund BC. I’ve let go friendships of those who didn’t believe, I’ve sacrificed having a “regular social life” but that doesn’t bother me. The biggest sacrifice which I don’t regret one bit was dropping out of graduate school in the process of pursuing my MBA. I had to decide what it was going to be? I’m positive I made the right decision.

What suggestions would you make for a young person interested in becoming a designer?
Rule #1: Self-Validate: don’t wait for anyone to buy into your idea. Follow your dream, and give it 150% daily. Rule #2: Have Patience! You’re definitely going to need a lot of it in this industry. Rule #3: Don’t take short cuts, or you will definitely get cut short. Rule #4: Work hard Rule #5: Be Consistent!

Do you love what you do?
Wouldn’t trade it for anything!

Click here to see the BLACK Collection!

CP Feature: American Bird Products

2009-05-11T10:04:00.006-04:00

Samuel Fox is the Co-Owner and Co-President of American Bird Products, proud manufacturers of the internationally-known Audubon Bird Call. He is a student at Yale University.

The American Bird Products dates back to 1951. How did you first get involved?

My interest in the company came from the respect I had for my late grandfather, Roger Eddy. My brother, Martin, and I purchased the business, with the support of our mother from Roger Eddy’s (my grandfather) estate about a year after he died. I was a junior in high school when I first got involved. The challenge of running a successful business and putting my own mark on a company that had been in operation for more than fifty years was the truly enticing part.

What is your role/what does it require of you? How long have you been with American Bird Products?

My brother and Martin and I have been at the helm of ABP, Inc since 2004. We are each 49% owners. My mother and father each hold 1% for voting purposes if Martin and I ever have any disagreements we cannot resolve ourselves (so far we have not). With such a small company it is not a stretch to say that I do everything necessary for the business to thrive. I am involved with everything from production of the products, to customer service and sales, to packing orders and shipping them out. During the school year I spend a limited amount of time at our physical location but am able to keep up with everyday operations via computer. I normally spend about 5-6 hours a week in the office and I dedicate about an hour a day to general upkeep on my computer or on the phone. During the summer though, it is a full time job.

About how many people work for American Bird Products?

My brother and I are full time employees. We also employ an office manager who comes in on a part time basis. She does regular office maintenance, packs and ships orders, keeps the books (deposits checks, etc). And during production runs (usually about three months long, twice a year) we employ at least two full time laborers.

How difficult is it for you to juggle between studying at Yale and running a business?

It has been difficult to prioritize all of my responsibilities. On top of my schoolwork I am also on the Yale track team which takes up even more time than school or work. Admittedly, since taking over the company, I have put business before schoolwork, but, mostly because of geographic constraints it has been difficult to spend enough time working for ABP. I look forward to graduation for a number of reasons, including the fact that ill have more time to dedicate to my company.

American Bird Products produces the Audubon Bird Call and the Soda Bottle Bird Feeder. Could you explain the uses of each? Which one is the most popular?

The Audubon Bird Call is a simple device. It is comprised of a small Birchwood cylinder and a zinc-cast plug connected by a short screw. The wood and metal plug are dusted with a rosin which is essential in producing the call’s voice. When twisted together, the friction creates a squeaking sound reminiscent of many wild song bird sounds. The Soda Bottle Bird Feeder is an environmentally friendly and durable zinc-cast adapter meant to turn a recycled 2 liter soda bottle into a bird feeder. The soda bottle simply screws right into the feeder adapter which includes two feeding trays and perches. We like to think that the feeder is also virtually squirrel proof, as squirrels have difficulty balancing on the slippery plastic of a soda bottle. Our Bird Call is our classic product and sells much more successfully around the world.

Do you plan on introducing new products?

We have begun to introduce some new services for our customers. Bird Calls are now customizable as we are able to laser engrave any image that will fit onto the Call. Certain customers use the Bird Call as a promotional item. We can provide Calls in a range of colors and can imprint company, or organizational logos directly onto the Call. We are also always looking to expand deeper into the gift market as that is the market that we have been most successful in.

Your grandfather, Roger Eddy, was known for handcrafting the bird calls and refused to use mass production. Do you still do the same?

We still manufacture our Audubon Birdcall by hand in the same fashion as my grandfather almost 60 years ago. It is important to do so because our strongest marketing position for the product is “all-american and hand-made.”

American Bird Products distributes not only in the US but throughout the world in places such as Japan and Australia. Did these distributors become a part since your leadership of the company? If so, how did you go about doing this?

Our European distributors came with the company when we took over, but most of our others have been cultivated in the last 5 years. Persistence and asking a lot of questions is key when looking for customers. In Australia we spoke to our small customers to find out who their main suppliers were domestically, then we went after those companies as possible distributors. Same for the UK and Japan. There is also an element of luck. We have been approached by individuals from many different countries looking to become distributors of our products.

Where do you see American Bird Products in the next five years? Do you plan to continue with the company after you graduate?

There is certainly a cap to the success of our products. We are not producing hot new electronics or revolutionary software etc. We make a classic American tool/toy and our sales are better described as steady rather than explosive. However there is definitely room for improvement. I would like to delve deeper into the promotional market and also cultivate more international customers. The infusion of energy that ABP stands to receive when I graduate and am able to work side by side with my brother on a regular basis will no doubt lead to growth in sales and production. And, as mentioned, we are always looking to extend our product and service line.

Do you enjoy what you do?

Running a business is fun. Every sale, every order, every shipment seems to be your own creation. Seeing a business interaction go from early phone calls, to price quotes, to logistical coordination, to shipment, to payment is one of the most fulfilling things I can think of.

Learn more here!

CP Feature: AArow Advertising

2009-05-04T01:40:00.014-04:00

Mike Kenny is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of AArow Advertising, a unique spin on advertising. He is a graduate of San Diego State University.

In one sentence, how would you describe your business?

We are an international marketing company that combines the power of human interaction and the talent of our AArrow Sign Spinners to create cost-effective marketing campaigns for our clients.

Good advertising depends upon a unique approach. In what way is AArrow advertising different from other advertisers out there?

Most advertisers think they have to use the ‘shotgun approach’, meaning they think if they throw enough advertisements out into world people are bound to look at it. This makes people feel disenchanted with the overbearing amount of ads they are exposed to. On the other hand, we believe in targeting consumers one by one, so they receive the individual advertising experience that actually makes our client’s message ‘stick’ in their heads.

What sparked the idea?

When Max and I were 16-year-olds, we got a job where we were asked to hold a sign on the street corner. The only problem for us was that it was probably the most boring job in the world. We grew up in the Southern California extreme sports culture and, as skateboarders and surfers ourselves, we started doing tricks with our signs to entertain ourselves. And it turned out to be an effective advertising solution that can be seen around the world.

When you started the business in 2002, what were your first three steps?

The first thing we did was invent an aerodynamic AArrow that came with a few failed attempts. Second, we made a skateboard-style music video of our sign spinning to show off our talent and skill. Third, we headed to the streets, targeting hundreds of local businesses, to sell our innovative and unique service, only to be turned down by every single one. Eventually, persistence and a true belief in the concept led to our first client: The Healthy Back Store in San Diego.

You were only in high school at the time you started AArrow Advertising. How did you know what steps to take business-wise at such a young age?

We had just graduated high school and learned a lot by trial and error; evaluating what works and what doesn’t and adopting the approaches deemed the most successful. We really we couldn’t have done it without the support of our family, friends and mentors. When you don’t know what steps to take you have to ask.

Where did you look to find funding for AArrow Advertising when you first started out? Was it difficult?

We started AArrow Advertising with almost no money and to this day have had to rely little on outside financing. This has forced us to be resourceful and to become a profitable business very quickly, as there was no other way for us to make it happen.

Currently, you employ more than 750 youth between the ages of 16-24. How do you promote yourself to this age group as an employer?

AArrow Advertising has developed such a strong culture and recognizable brand that we attract a great deal of youth that share our same core beliefs by continuing to build the brand and being an active member in the community and in local school districts. We have developed strong youth hiring partnerships with city governments, school districts and other youth-hiring organizations in every city we operate in that assist in our hiring needs.

Why do you have such a strong focus on youth employment?

Our drive to start AArrow Advertising came from a desire within us and our friends to not have to work most of the jobs that are available to youth that don’t challenge, motivate or interest the employee base. The 16 to 24 age group is often overlooked when it comes to employment opportunities, and I believe that about 70% of this age group is currently not working. So we decided to make youth employment a core focus of ours and the young people we employ have responded to the tasks at hand with an immense amount of energy and enthusiasm.

Other than being of young age, what qualifications are required of employees to become skilled spinners?

Age really doesn’t matter in becoming an AArrow Sign Spinner. The most important quality is the attitude you possess and your competitive drive. If you are a positive person and you believe this would be a fun and exciting job, chances are this is the right place.

The best spinners are recognized as “AArrow All-stars” in your various locations ranging from Washington, D.C. to Las Vegas. How does one get to this level?

Serious amounts of practice. Our current World Champion, 17-year-old San Diego native Teddy Hale,

has been sign spinning for four years now and continues to practice every day; just as any other athlete would. The sign spinners on the top 10 list are there because they continue to push the limits of this sport higher and higher.

Your clients include Fortune 100-500 companies, sports and entertainment industries, websites, food chains, and celebrities. How did you attract such a broad range of clientele? Who are your most frequent clients?

We attract such a broad range of clients because of the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of our advertising approach. This advertising concept works for the smallest and the largest businesses because of how many people we can get to look at the client’s message. Advertising based on
human-to-human interaction will work for every client from Snoop Dogg to Staples. Our most frequent clients continue to be luxury apartment complexes, mobile phone providers, restaurant chains and retail stores.

You recently started to grant franchises of AArrow throughout the nation. Why? What analysis did you do before making this decision?

We have been interested in the concept for years and became convinced in 2007 after we had been receiving an overwhelming amount of phone calls from people all across the world asking how they could own a piece of the business. Since our concept is centered on local operations, it makes sense to have an entrepreneur operate an AArrow Advertising city.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce awarded AArow Advertising the Most Outstanding Community Involvement Award in 2008. Was community involvement always your intention?

Yes, AArrow Advertising is a very community-based organization. We hire youth, drive traffic into local businesses and use the power of our advertising to make a difference in the world by raising awareness about important social issues and needs.

It looks as if every member of the company has a lot of fun. How do you make sure that despite all of the work it requires working with AArrow Advertising is enjoyable?

We truly believe that you have to enjoy what you do since you dedicate such a large portion of your life to work. The concept is naturally fun and the AArrow Advertising employees are here because they have a passion for the sport of sign spinning. It’s a job where you get people to smile and applaud for you all day long… what could be more fun that that?

Where do you see AArow Advertising in the next three years?

Our business expansion plans in the next three years include 50 major U.S. AArrow Advertising markets and 20 countries with AArrow Advertising operations across them, as well as securing top brands as our sponsors. We also see sign spinners from around the globe traveling to compete in the AArrow World Sign Spinning Championship which (of course) will be on ESPN by that time. Most importantly, we see ourselves still having fun and still spinning every chance we get.

Start spinnin' here!

CP Feature

2009-04-19T09:11:00.001-04:00

PaperG facilitates online advertising using a format called "Flyerboard" which allows enterprises to post online flyers on web sites in varying networks. Victor Wong, a student at Yale College, is the CEO.

PaperG is the brainchild of students from both Yale and Harvard University who entered the I³ Harvard College Innovation Challenge together. How did the team form?
A couple of Harvard students who ran The Crimson newspaper were looking for a way to better attract local advertisers online. Separately, a group of Yale students were inspired by a virtual bulletin board that people were using to spread word about campus activities. We got together and decided to build a commercial version of the Flyerboard as a way for local businesses to more easily reach their communities.

What inspired the idea for PaperG? Had the idea come about before the group came together?
The idea of the Flyerboard preceded the formation of the group. Students at Yale were already using a virtual bulletin board to spread word about campus activities. I saw this and wondered why it couldn’t be used to spread word about local activities and happenings. As a result, I came up with a way to apply the idea to local online advertising. The thought that this idea could help solve the financial problems of newspapers motivated me to recruit some of my peers to form PaperG and make this a serious endeavor.

PaperG’s main focus is an online advertising tool called “Flyerboard.” Could you explain how Flyerboard works?
Flyerboard is a virtual bulletin board that resides on local websites. Local readers sort through the Flyerboard to discover what’s going on around their neighborhood and what sorts of deals are available. It’s really great for advertisers because they can use any image that they already have (flyer, print ad, etc.) and the Flyerboard automatically converts it into an attractive, interactive Flyer Ad with built-in sharing features.

Flyerboard guarantees exposure to leading local websites. How did you develop this partnership?
We started with The New Haven Independent, the website for our local city, and it snowballed from there. As advertisers saw the Flyerboard and ran ad campaigns, more advertisers came. The Flyerboard has an interesting effect where the more advertisers there are, the more effective it is since people use it as a resource rather than simply an advertisement.
Once it was clear the advertisers liked how easy and useful the Flyerboard was, more and more publishers wanted to have the Flyerboard on their site to increase their online revenue. It’s grown from there, and now well known media groups are starting to partner with us to figure out how to capture local ad dollars in their neighborhoods.

Who are your primary clients for Flyerboard or does it often vary?
When we first started, our advertisers tended to be local event marketers for restaurants, museums, concert venues, and charities. Since then, the Flyerboard has built out support for other types of clients and we’ve seen a large amount of advertisers like local real estate agents posting housing listings and retailers posting special deals.

You received $5,000 from the I³ Harvard College Innovation Challenge. Has this been your principle source of funding? How have you applied it?
The money from the I³ competition really helped us in the beginning. We were able to use the $5,000 to hire programmers to develop Flyerboard further. We’ve since raised an angel round of capital from media and technology executives and then a larger round led by a venture capital firm.

How do you spread the word about Flyerboard? Do you utilize the same techniques the advertising tool puts into use for your clients?
Flyerboard relies on online word of mouth. As users pass flyers to each other, we have had some advertisers find us almost accidentally and sign up. Publishers always like seeing what other publishers are doing and so they also find us because the Flyerboard is becoming a prominent part of other sites. After a while, people start talking about you because they see you everywhere and it becomes more and more effective. The same can be said for our advertisers who put these flyers up across their locality on the various Flyerboards we have.

Board members for PaperG include accomplished individuals such as Mark Potts, renowned journalist, and Stephen Taylor, former President of BGEP and Publisher of Boston.com. How did you gain their support?
I showed some professors at the Yale School of Management our prototype and asked for their opinion. Stephen Taylor was teaching a class on new media economics and had me come in to present to his class. He was impressed enough by what we were doing that he joined our advisory board. From there, we were able to build on our credibility to meet many more individuals excited by what we were doing, eventually getting to the phenomenal board we have today.

What advice would you give to a student starting his or her own business? Is it important to make it a team effort?
Just do. Once we closed our first round of investment from a small group of angels, I asked our lead investor why he chose to invest. He said, “Victor, a lot of people talk. You do. You asked for money after you built something.” I think most people get so preoccupied with trying to raise money that they never get anywhere. The most important you can do is just to do it and keep doing it and you’ll eventually get it right.

Another great piece of advice I’ve heard is a quote from Tom Bodett saying, “The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” You can only read and learn so much without doing. Doing is the ultimate teacher. If all you know comes from what you do, there will never be a gap between what you know you are capable of and what you actually perform.

It’s absolutely necessary to have a great team as well. There is so much to do and so much to worry about that I think it’s impossible to go at it alone.

Where do you see PaperG in the next five years?
Next year alone will look very different from the last year. We have a very ambitious new product to be released soon which we believe will change the way local online ads are designed, bought, and sold.

Our vision for the next five years is to have local ad solutions so pervasive to local commerce that we are part of the community fabric, reaching everyone and working with everyone. I see our solutions to be the first thing local businesses instinctively turn to when thinking of marketing anything in their community.

Click here for more information!

CP Feature: Baby's First Home

2009-04-13T16:11:00.000-04:00

Amanda Raposo is the start-up director of Baby's First Home, a shelter for mothers in New York City aged 17 and 21. She is currently a student at New York University. (on the left is her partner Jessica Mason)

Baby's First Home aims to serve as a housing and support center for mothers in New York City aged 17 to 21. What sparked this idea?
I was a freshman at NYU’s Silver School of Social Work when I started working with teen mothers through a pilot program called 1st STEP (Services to Empower Parents). I helped to provide these women with access to resources in the city. I was quickly frustrated by the multi-dimensional problems my clients faced, their inability to take advantage of the resources I provided, and the near impossibility of finding housing for those who needed it.

Jessica Mason was a sophomore at NYU’s Silver School of Social Work working at an inner-city public school. She was outraged to see so many young girls drop out of high school because of pregnancy. Teaming up with Jessica, we agreed to open a shelter for homeless teen mothers together. Baby’s First Home will be the only long-term supportive housing for teen mothers who have aged out of foster care in New York City and its surrounding boroughs.

What resources will BFH provide to the housed families? Will BFH also serve as a community resource for those families not housed in the BFH location?
By offering counseling services, peer mentoring, access to educational and vocational training, health education, life skills programs, empowerment and leadership programs, spiritual services, as well as social and cultural opportunities, we plan to help mothers build independent lives and stable futures for themselves and their children. Our goal is to create a strong foundation in which these young women can build off of upon completion of the two-year residential program. Baby’s First Home is already partnered with a program called 1st STEP (Services to Empower Parents) that helps teen mothers at Bellevue hospital find vital resources in the city and surrounding areas.

Although Baby’s First Home will be providing shelter and services to five families on-site, our goal is to reach hundreds of families through our website. We plan to increase website membership each year by at least 15% for the next 5 years by creating an online forum where we can help other young mothers access the resources they need, as well as a network of young women interested in empowerment and leadership.

You've chosen to open your first location in Queens. Why?
To be honest, it was the opportunity offered to us by my father who was willing to donate a building in Queens that initiated our mission in creating Baby’s First Home. We did not choose the location, the location chose us. However, the borough of Queens also happens an area with great need for our services.

When you open BFH's first location, how will go about finding staff members as well as getting in contact with the families that can utilize your services?
Via our website and postings alone, we have already had so many people reach out to us either wanting to help or needing our help. For the homeless mothers looking for our support, we offer them services that they can use now and plan to keep in touch with them until we are ready to open. We are also affiliated with many other shelters in New York and Long Island that focus on our exact demographic.

In terms of staffing, we will have an application process, background check, and interviews. Our close connections with the NYU Silver School of Social Work along with our ability to network online will provide us with a sufficient pool of possible applicants to develop our staff.

You've received funding from both Youth Venture and NYU that totals to $11,000. How did you portray BFH as a strong applicant for these funders?
We told our story and spoke from the heart. It’s as simple as that.

We are a team of young women who have witnessed the results of teen pregnancy and homelessness in our daily lives and we backed our stories with statistics of the need and a visual of the building. We had a very preliminary budget and the presentation in itself was quite basic. I truly believe that the passion for our vision was our ultimate strength.

As grand prize winners of the NYU Reynolds/YV "Be A Changemaker" competition you were also given a private lunch with Craiglist founder, Craig Newmark. What was that like?
The lunch with Mr. Newmark was enlightening and reassuring. Mr. Newmark is a down-to-earth, extremely intelligent and quirky man with an incredible story about entrepreneurship. His ability to make his dream possible was quite inspiring to us. He was also kind enough to answer any questions and listen to our experiences. His advice and guidance, which ranged from web design to creating a team to networking, measuring impact and expanding, were very helpful to us.

How do you spread the word about BFH?
We did and continue to do everything in our power to reach out to as many people as possible. From developing a 30-second elevator pitch that we can use in any social situation to creating a support letter and press packet that we can send out to various people within various fields, we are determined to get our story out. We expanded the team by posting our mission and application on various websites including idealist.org, volunteermatch, NYU CareerNet, craigslist, etc. We made business cards and brochures as well. We have found that the most effective means of publicity is word of mouth. We ask for advice and guidance from those with experience and we do our best to speak everyone we can because you never know who might be interested in or who might know someone who might be interested in supporting our cause.

As student entrepreneurs, what's a typical work day like?
Incorporating BFH work among our student responsibilities is tricky. We developed a system where we break down our long term and short term goals, then them onto our on our BFH timeline so that we can break down our needs and goals each week. On a given Friday, I will spend about an hour making phone calls and at least two sending emails and finalizing appointments. Other responsibilities range from coordinating the team, filling out grants, working on financial and law processes, and figuring out or implementing the needs in taking the next step.

Where do you see BFH in the next three years? Do you plan to continue after graduation?
Baby’s First Home will always be a part of my life to some capacity. The first three years will involve a lot of adapting and continued program development. This time will be spent stabilizing all aspects of the program and funding. I have personal plans to spend time abroad and go to graduate school and will only pursue these goals once BFH has measured and proved its success.

You've chosen non-profit instead of for profit. Why?

In deciding to work with the poorest on the social ladder, there really is no profit that can be made with our target population. We are, however, working on developing revenue-streams and a comprehensive sustainability plan. We have already launched our Kids for a Cause program. Here, NYU and Columbia students have teamed together to offer a childcare program that donates 100% of proceeds to charity. “Kids for a Cause” monthly field trips give parents the day off while their children are taken to wonderful NYC venues. Parents are invited to name their own price in the form of a donation – of which 100% goes directly to Baby’s First Home.

We also plan to profit by advertising on our website, selling Baby’s First Home baby supplies, and expanding the home to create units with subsidized rent for young women and children. This income will help ensure the survival and sustainability of Baby’s First Home.

Click here to learn more!

Support Alert!

2009-04-08T00:32:00.000-04:00

Solange Knowles believes. Do you?

The Intern's Desk

2009-04-05T21:13:00.000-04:00

Turning Books Into Movies at Paramount Pictures

Coming to New York filled with dreams and fantasies of making a place for oneself within the television/film industry is one, I know, shared amongst most students, artists, and other anxious trailblazers who set out for the Mecca of entertainment that is New York City. For me, this dream became all the more real last year when I had the opportunity to intern at Paramount Pictures in their Literary Affairs Department.

It happened in passing, when a friend of the family, another NYU student, randomly (but knowingly) asked “If I’d like to intern at Paramount Pictures?” Of course, I jumped at the opportunity and e-mailed her contact as soon as I got home. Within the next couple of days, I had an interview scheduled, and by that same time the following week was receiving the greatest news of my life at that point, that I had gotten the job.

The first question many people asked me and one I even asked myself is what exactly goes on in the Literary Affairs Department? Those within the Literary Affairs Department ultimately act as the liaisons between Paramount endorsed production companies and Paramount’s choice selections of books that have potential to be made into movies. It is a relatively small department, consisting of only five people (including the vice president’s assistant and I). However, what they lacked in size they made up for in productivity. I soon found myself familiarizing fax and copy machines, as well as passwords, procedures, and even the corporate credit card to order various lunches, as well as, help organize the company’s Christmas Party.

When we were not corresponding with filmmakers and authors, you could always find those in the office reading books, listening music, and even chatting on AIM. The atmosphere within the office was, without a doubt, the best aspect of working in such a hectic but eventful environment. The connections I made with people have had a lasting impact on my career and myself.

Looking back, my time at Paramount Pictures, even if I did not realize it every time I walked through those big glass doors, was the experience of a lifetime where I was able to gain first hand and crucial knowledge of the film industry that I will utilize to help build and hold a reputation within the film industry.

Cameron Stokes, New York University '10

CP Feature: Flyer Enterprises

2009-04-03T13:42:00.000-04:00

Lauren Clarisey is a senior at the University of Dayton and CEO of Flyer Enterprises. FE is a student-run corporation at the University of Dayton which operates businesses ranging from coffee shops to an off-campus retail store.

What is your position at Flyer Enterprises? What does it require?

I am the Chief Executive Officer of Flyer Enterprises at the University of Dayton. My role is to oversee the management of our seven divisions and act as the primary representative and strategist for the organization. I also work closely with our Board of Directors which is made up of several members of the university administration. In addition to being a full-time student, I work between 25 and 35 hours a week.

What was the process for taking on such an important role? Do you enjoy it?

My decision to attend UD was heavily influenced by the opportunities provided by Flyer Enterprises; I knew that I wanted to move up to a management position as soon as possible in order to take full advantage of the experience.

I began working with Flyer Enterprises my freshman year making smoothies at The CHILL, a smoothie bar in the campus RecPlex. After managing The CHILL for one semester, I accepted the position of President of Retail. In this role, I worked to open FE’s newest and first off-campus venture, Flyer Spirit. Flyer Spirit is university retail store featuring apparel, gifts, and housewares for Dayton Flyers fans, students, and alumni; the store is a joint-venture with the UD Bookstore.

After getting Flyer Spirit off the ground, I was promoted to CEO. This decision was made by my predecessor and the Board of Directors. I shadowed and trained with the previous CEO for almost four months before his graduation. I love what I am doing and am incredibly grateful to be in this position.

Briefly tell us about Flyer Enterprises. Imagine you are talking to a student who has never heard of it but is eager to learn more. Can he or she get involved from any college/university?

In 1990, the University of Dayton became one of the first universities to have a student-run business, and Flyer Enterprises remain one of the largest in the nation, compared competitively with similar businesses at Harvard, Stanford, and Georgetown.

Flyer Enterprises is one of UD’s largest employers with approximately 190 undergraduate students, revenues of over $1.4 million a year, and five consecutive years of increasing profits.

Seven different businesses are operated by Flyer Enterprises, ranging from coffee shops to a full-service café to an off-campus retail store. UD undergrads fill the roles of sales associates, managers, and executives. Students really do make all decisions at every level and answer to a Board of Directors.

What is the reaction like from students and faculty at the University of Dayton? Do you receive positive or negative feedback?

Flyer Enterprises has come a long way in the past ten years and owes much of the success to the support and mentorship of UD’s professors and administration. FE is seen as an asset to UD’s School of Business Administration. The SBA has a strong entrepreneurial focus and encourages learning outside of the classroom. We are lucky to have the opportunity to benefit from the people and resources available at the University of Dayton.

Where did the name "Flyer Enterprises" originate from?

UD’s athletic teams, the Dayton Flyers are named for the city of Dayton, the “Birthplace of Aviation.” In 1990, when two separate student-run businesses, a convenience store and a coffee shop, were brought together, the newly formed corporation was dubbed “Flyer Enterprises.”

Does Flyer Enterprises partner with UD on projects or are the two completely separate?

Flyer Enterprises does partner with UD on some projects. One way students can get involved is by participating in the Flyer Enterprises’ Leadership Development Program. This is a course that allows staff employees to gain managerial experience while receiving one hour of academic credit from the School of Business Administration. The course is taught by FE executives with topics such as vision and strategy.

Flyer Enterprises has also partnered with several professors to act as subjects of various consulting projects. The class may be informed of a current challenge faced by FE and asked to present a proposed solution at the end of the semester.

Three of the divisions managed by Flyer Enterprises are joint-ventures with UD’s Dining Services. There is now one division that is a joint-venture with the UD Bookstore.

After graduation, do you plan to continue working within businesses or do you plan to take on a new interest?
After all I have learned within Flyer Enterprises, I absolutely want to continue working within the business field. I have had the opportunity to be exposed to a few different industries which has really helped broaden my options for post-graduation.

Where do you see Flyer Enterprises in the next five years?

Based on the progress that Flyer Enterprises has made in the past five years, I can only imagine where the company will be in 2013! By that time, I expect that Flyer Spirit will have a solid grasp on their target market and have reached a stable financial state. Depending on the success of this first off-campus venture, Flyer Enterprises may decide to continue in this direction and expand beyond the grounds of the UD grounds.

The University of Dayton also has big plans for expanding campus and Flyer Enterprises is expecting to grow with it. New divisions to serve the expanded campus will open as the buildings are developed.

As FE’s reputation on campus continues to be recognized, the caliber of employees who are recruited and hired will prove to be an extraordinary group of students.

I would like to see Flyer Enterprises continue to network with other student-run businesses and even host an annual seminar on UD’s campus to share knowledge and ideas.

Personally, how has your work with Flyer Enterprises helped you? Do you think all students should look for opportunities like it?

My experience with Flyer Enterprises has truly shaped me as a student, a leader, and a business woman. I have had incredible opportunities to be involved in “real life” business decisions as well as the privilege of working with a group of driven and talented individuals. The skills and confidence I have gained over the past four years could not have been developed any other way. I strongly encourage every student to take advantage of any opportunity like this. If a program is not already established, see what you can do to start – you will be amazed at what you are capable of!

For more information click here!

Note: Lauren Clarisey will be working for Dunnhumby USA, an advertising and marketing company based in Cincinnati, Ohio, when she graduates May. Her successor, Jessi Neff, is the new Chief Executive Office of Flyer Enterprises at the University of Dayton.

SPECIAL EDITION: A Moment with Juelz Santana

2009-03-31T16:27:00.001-04:00

*SPECIAL EDITION*

Usually I don't post special coverage until Wednesday, but I'm so excited about this one that I had to post it a day early.

Last Friday, I attended a concert featuring rap artist Juelz Santana. He played familiar hits as well as some unfamiliar tunes that sound just as good as the ones we know. I caught up with him after the concert to get his take on achieving success. He's but a dreamer like the rest of us, and for that he belongs on College Pros.

Click play.

The Intern's Desk

2009-03-29T19:47:00.000-04:00

Going to press at GIANT Magazine...

It was January 2008, I was a High School Senior, and I needed to think of a Senior Project. My boarding school allowed its seniors to work on a month long project during May, as opposed to attending classes. I decided to do an off campus Senior Project—interning at a Magazine in NYC. My first choice was GQ, but unfortunately their Human Resource department did not allow High School students to intern. As I struggled to meet my deadline for choosing a Senior Project topic, I hastily searched the Web for other interesting internships.

Fortunately, my aunt’s friend Ali worked in advertising and he was able to get me an internship with a magazine. Unlike GQ with its focus on Male Pop Culture, Giant Magazine is an upscale Hip-Hop publication that focuses on Music, Fashion and Culture for the urban reader. When Ali presented me with the opportunity I remembered thinking that a Hip-Hop magazine did not match my interests. But, with a deadline looming in the air, I accepted interning at Giant Magazine as my Senior Project.

And boy was I in for a surprise. The Hip-Hop magazine had so much diversity in the office, and everyone was young and laid-back. Yet, they wore professional attire, except for casual Friday’s. Reggie Hudson was my overseer. He was in charge of telling me what work to do. After my first day at Giant, I quickly learned that magazines have two parts: the advertising side and the editorial side. The editorial side featured celebrity photo shoots, featured articles, advice, fashion, etc. The advertising side, where Reggie worked, was in charge of getting the advertisements in the magazine (this is where all the money comes from).

On the advertising side, they made me call brands to gather the correct contacts and addresses. They also had me do inventory work to make sure all the brands paid for advertising with the Magazine. The editorial side had me pick up and drop off clothes at the headquarters of places like BCBG, Armani, Artful Dodger, Baby Phat, etc. They also allowed me to go to photo shoots, where I met Kid Sister and a bunch of other up and coming celebrities. The best part of my internship was being at Solange Knowles’s photo shoot. I was allowed to take a picture with her, which got published in the August 2008 edition of Giant Magazine.

Overall, I had a great time interning at Giant. I learned how the magazine industry works and how it is evolving in this new era where internet articles are more popular than published articles. And I believe magazines will survive because they are handy to carry around; computers on the other hand are too hefty to lug on trains, planes or bathroom breaks.

Anthony Portillo is currently a freshman at Wesleyan University.

CP Feature: Diabetic Angels

2009-03-27T10:26:00.000-04:00

Jackie Singer is a junior at the Honors College at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She and her twin sister, mother, and aunt are the founders of Diabetic Angels. (In photo from left to right: Mollie, Mollie, Jackie, Jackie)

How old were you when you started Diabetic Angels?
Although my twin sister, Mollie, and I began lobbying Congress and the White House, to increase funding for diabetes research at the age of six, we were 10-years-old when, with the help of our mom Jackie and her twin sister Mollie, we started the Diabetic Angels.

Is there a story behind it?
Yes, there is a story behind the creation of the Diabetic Angels, one that is sad and unfortunate, but the good news is we have a happy ending! The inspiration behind the Diabetic Angels began in grade school, when Mollie and I experienced discrimination and intolerance. By the time we reached fourth grade, Mollie had repeatedly faced challenges no child should have to experience. However, the incident that caused us to say 'enough,' turned out to be a blessing in disguise. This particular incident came about after we had been invited to a friend's birthday party when prior to the party the host announced, "Mollie, my mom said I have to uninvite you to my birthday party, because Diabetics are a hassle...but Jackie can still come!" I'm sure you can imagine how humiliated and sad Mollie felt, and I was stunned…I wondered how anyone could do something so hurtful. I remember thinking, isn't it bad enough that Mollie and kids like her have to live with this devastating disease? How much more does she have to take? I knew that we had to stop this insanity; we were determined to do everything in our power to not let this happen to Mollie, or any other Diabetics ever again. We realized that people are rarely intentionally cruel; rather they are just afraid and uninformed. We could stop the pain if we could stop the ignorance; we only had to teach our friends about diabetes and let them become part of the solution, rather than remaining the problem!

As a direct result of this incident, we have created an organization that through education helps to prevent other diabetics from encountering the same hurtful experiences. So, while simultaneously volunteering for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation , we, meaning our mom, aunt, Mollie and me, have made the Diabetic Angels our passion and our mission. We are determined to help people across the globe, which we are currently doing, by creating a network of Diabetics and people who support them known as, "Diabetic Angels." DA's not only communicate and interact via the Internet, but they work together to educate, advocate, and fundraise for a common goal: to erase and prevent discrimination, while working to cure diabetes.

What type of Diabetes have you been diagnosed with?
Well, although we are twins, I, Jackie, do not have diabetes…Mollie does. Yes, my twin sister is a Type 1 Juvenile Diabetic (also known as insulin dependent). Mollie was diagnosed at the age of four and although she has had her problems, 15 years later, we are thrilled and grateful that she is healthy and free of complications.

Do you think it is important that the founder of a cause has also had personal experience with it?
Yes, it is important, but not necessary. In the case of the Diabetic Angels, three of the four Founders of the DA's are not diabetics, only Mollie is a diabetic. However, every member of our family lives with diabetes through Mollie. We must do whatever we can to help cure diabetes today, for every day we go without a cure, more diabetics are added to the 246 million people worldwide, who already struggle with this devastating disease.

When you started Diabetic Angels at your school, it began as a club. How did you get classmates to join? Did teachers show support?
In the beginning, the DA's started with 10 of our best friends, who were well aware that Mollie was a diabetic. As time went on, the word spread that this 'club' was unlike any other, it was a fun group that took action for something in which we all believed…a cure for Mollie. We didn't have boring meetings that resembled a science lesson; rather we made them fun and interesting. For example we would have meetings at the local water park, or pizzeria, or we would have a sleep over party, it wasn't all work or all play, we mixed it up by having bi-monthly meetings that proved to be both productive and fun! Also, when we started to attract local and national media coverage, the DA's became pretty well known for giving interviews and fundraising via the annual JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) "Walk to Cure Diabetes," as well as, for their letter writing campaigns to the President and congress.

We went from a simple club at school to an international social network connecting people on 6 continents. We have raised over $600,000.00 for medical research and are so proud of the members of "Diabetic Angels ," they are helping each other, reaching out to those in need, and ultimately aiding in finding the cure!

Currently your website functions as a social network which allows anyone to become an interactive member and supporter of the cause. How did you spread the word out about your cause online?
Today, aside from local, national and international media coverage (newspapers, tv, radio, etc.), the internet is the easiest and fastest way to spread awareness, from being featured in national magazine articles i.e., Teen Vogue and Justine, to receiving online publicity through popular blogs in the diabetic and health community, as well as, through Myspace and Facebook, just to name a few. Finally, with the help of dosomething.org , our profile is listed on their website, and I, Jackie am listed as a 2008 Do Something Award finalist (formerly known as the BR!CK Awards). The DA story and my picture are currently being featured on bags of Frito-Lay's Doritos Nachos Cheese Tortilla Chips too!

How have you moved your cause forward politically? Have you taken steps to gain support from Congress?
Yes, we have literally been walking the halls of Congress since we were six-years-old, as diabetic advocates; its actually one of our first and most memorable experiences. We traveled to Washington D.C. and met with congressmen and senators (Reid, Rockefeller, President Bush) and lobbied for diabetes research. At twelve, we testified before Congress for the third time and with the help of numerous congressmen and senators, we held a press conference on the steps of the Capitol. Today, advocating is an integral part of being a DA, as we encourage our DA's to call/e-mail/fax/write their local and national representatives a few times a year, or whenever important legislation is to be renewed/passed by congress. These important bills for example may potentially increase funding for medical research, (i.e. diabetic related breakthroughs, promising technology, medical devices, etc.).

When you first started Diabetic Angels, how did you raise funding?
We started small, with local fundraisers, i.e. lemonade and bake sales, then we approached local businesses around the Las Vegas area, and with a little word of mouth and passionate letters, we soon received corporate sponsors that backed the DA's. Also, as our club grew, we started receiving out of state inquiries that turned into out of state donations; needless to say we were thrilled! All in all, we have found that with the exception of the corporate support we have received over the years, the most effective way of fundraising has been through our letter-writing campaigns, which, is painfully honest and more personal.

You were a 2008 finalist for the Do Something Award. How did you go about doing this and how has Do Something helped you to further your cause?
Being a finalist in the Do Something Awards was truly an honor, and the process, the friends, and information I attained along the way has been extremely beneficial and are all things for which I am very grateful. Regarding the process to apply for the Do Something Awards, it began with creating a profile for Dosomething.org, then completing their online application (essays, recommendation letters, etc.), and once that is submitted, I was informed I was chosen as a finalist (YAY!). A few months later the finalists were flown to NYC to participate in a "Boot Camp" or an informative series of lectures to help us further our project/organization, a photo shoot for the Doritos campaign (bags of tortilla chips that would have our picture and summary of our cause on the back), and completing our trip to the Big Apple was multiple interviews to narrow down the finalists who would be chosen as nominees for the Teen Choice Awards, which was televised on Fox last summer and selected the $100,000.00 winner of the 2008 Do Something Award.

Do you come from a family of twins? What is that like? Has it been helpful in the success of Diabetic Angels?
Family is definitely a number one priority for us, and in case you were wondering, all of us LOVE being twins! Being twins, as well as, twins of twins (haha!) does help in the awareness and advertising aspect of our cause. If we attend a conference for example, we each spread out and are able to talk to 4 times as many people.

In addition to Diabetic Angels, you are pursuing a music career. What sparked this?
Going back a few years, our mom and aunt had their own musical act and were very successful, but as we grew up, we discovered that we too had a special love for music. Initially, our mom and aunt tried to talk the two of us out of a career in music, but we were destined to follow in their footsteps and pursue a career in music. So one day, when our mom and aunt were showing us something about harmony and stage presence, the four of us sang together, and at the same time all of us recognized that something special had just happened, we created a sound that was truly unique and we knew it! We now call ourselves, Mollie and Ja ckie MJ2 , which is the short stage name for Mollie and Jackie and Mollie and Jackie. See us on Youtube.

How do Diabetic Angels and your rising music career work together?
For the four of us, it just seemed so natural to combine our two passions, music and nonprofit/advocacy. Our goal as MJ2 and as the DA's is to simultaneously be successful in the music industry, while raising awareness for the DA's and the need to cure Diabetes. We plan on utilizing the talent and publicity surrounding Mollie and Jackie MJ2, as we, the founders and creators of the Diabetic Angels, tour America and the world, and release our first album. We strongly feel that it is imperative for us to demonstrate to other diabetics that nothing should stand in the way of their dreams.

How do you juggle being a student with Diabetic Angels and a music career?
We focus on what we need to do, as we choose our classes for the Honors College, construct schedules, and set goals. But it is true that we do have high expectations for ourselves, whether it be maintaining a 4.0 GPA, growing the DA's, or recording and touring as MJ2! That is not to say we consume our lives with these three passions and nothing else, we realize sometimes we just need to give ourselves a break and have some 'us time.'

After all is said and done, are you having fun?
Absolutely! That is what life is all about having fun, recognizing your blessings and keeping your misfortunes in perspective! I once heard a quote from Albert Schweitzer and I truly believe it to be true: "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." All of us have so much fun and whole-heartedly love and believe in what we are doing to help people, through our music and through the DA's.

Click here to join the cause!

The Intern's Desk

2009-03-08T21:51:00.000-04:00

Live From Studio A. This is Today…

Trying to dodge tourists, screaming girls, and security guards at 30 Rockefeller Plaza just to get through the revolving doors was just one of the difficult tasks I faced. With my internship on the Weekend Today Show fresh doors for my future career opened and relationships sparked between fellow interns, producers and talent.

My internship was unique because I worked Wednesday through Sunday. Every Saturday and Sunday waking up at four in the morning to get down to the plaza before the show starts was not a struggle but an adventure. Every morning I would encounter new experiences. For instance, one challenge I faced was having to pick up Joey Chestnut (the winner of the National Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest) from Good Morning America and bringing him back to Today in order for him to make his air time. It was hectic working on such time constraints, but it was a tremendous learning experience.

One great thing about the Today Show internship is that interns are given weekly scheduled meetings with executive producers and talent to learn exclusive information on how to get started and key insights to the business; especially in using NBC to network, communicate, and experience. Interns are also given informational sessions to learn more about aspects of the company, for instance the famous NBC page program.

Each day brought new and exciting networking opportunities such as sitting down and getting the opportunity to talk to talent such as Matt Lauer, Meredith Viera and Lester Holt or getting to read the teleprompter in the studio to add to your resume reel. Especially with Weekend Today, having only four interns left us with more hands on activity. Almost every week I would go on a shoot either such as a story at the American Girl Doll Store or hunting down eligible men to appear on the show for a crazy hair story. On one shoot a car drove me to a suburban town in New Jersey where I assisted in the Chinese Adoption segment. I met a family, in which the mother adopted four children from China and has raised them on her own. This was something I was thrilled to be apart of to meet such different people and learn their stories.

I really learned a bit of everything. I now know how to log, how to edit, how to pitch stories, how to dub tapes. NBC was like a family: the talent, interns, and producers, and all employee help out and display why NBC is such a success. The perks of working at 30 Rock is not just getting a V.I.P seat to the Summer Toyota Concert Tour, though being front row to Rascal Flatts and Natasha Beddingfield and may more was a great opportunity, but it is the people that you meet and work with and the knowledge you gain from the hands on experience that makes the internship priceless.

The late hours, the early hours, all my time spent was worth what I experienced and learned last summer. NBC Universal is not just a production company, it is truly a family.

Carolyn McEvoy is a junior at Michigan State University.

CP Feature: Sucka 4 Love Clothing & Entertainment

2009-02-20T15:02:00.000-05:00

Bobvala Tengen is founder of Sucka 4 Love Clothing & Entertainment. He is a recent graduate from the University of Cincinnati.

What is the name of your company and what is your position?

Sucka 4 Love Clothing & Entertainment is the name of the company. The entertainment part comes in because I love to throw parties and fashion and nightlife are almost intertwined in my eyes. My motto is love whatever you are doing. Own it and show the world. In order for me personally to ever do my best I have to love it. Own it means to make it yours or to put your stamp on it. Show the world is where my swagger comes in because this is where the true test comes in. No matter what people think I am going to always love what I did even if everyone else hates (but it is nice when everyone else likes it as well).

What inspired you to start? How long did it take to launch?

The inspiration to start the company was mostly just a personal challenge. I was talking to some friends and I simply thought I should start my own clothing line. It was almost a joke that became real serious. I always considered myself to be a very fly individual but to a certain extent that’s really easy. You go to the hottest stores, search the web and put together a nice outfit. You wear it and then get the feedback from the people. So now it’s like you have to create this look from scratch and hope that the masses will love it. Launching the company took maybe two weeks to do. I had a concept but I didn’t know what to call it. Sucka 4 love was the first thing that came to mind. Then I played devil’s advocate with myself and I was like would I wear something that said Sucka 4 Love on it. Then I just asked a couple of my friends what they thought, I created a secret group on facebook to get some feedback, and then made things happen. I had a logo and I threw it on some boy shorts and threw a party and then three days after my party I made a polo shirt. But it took me a year to make my first t-shirt which is the “men lie” t-shirt.

Where is it based?

It’s based in Washington, DC, but we have two other hubs in Cincinnati, OH and Charlottesville, VA. My partners Kyle Miller (UVA) and Jasmin Solorzano (Howard) are in these locations.

What your goals for the company?

My biggest goal is to open a store. I also would love to make a shoe with Adidas because that’s my favorite brand of sneakers. Collaborations with maybe T-mobile or Apple. I could see myself designing the Valentine’s Day edition Iphone or sidekick. I think my biggest goal of all for the company is to make it successful enough where I don’t have to work for anyone and create a company others would love to work for.

How do you market your company? Is it by word of mouth?

I market the company using facebook and myspace. I think I created the biggest buzz by throwing parties which led to word of mouth. I think being from DC helped a lot as well just because I have a friend in almost every major region of the country. So it was real easy to just hit them up and tell them to tell their friends. I am working on my website www.officialsucka4love.com. Once I get that finished I think things will run a lot smoother.

What is a typical work day like?

There is no such thing as a typical work day for me because everyday is different. One day I could be working on throwing a party and the next I could be working on a shirt. The only thing I do everyday is check all my email accounts. Check a couple of street fashion blogs. Request about 50 people to be my friend on facebook and myspace and then in my spare time I try to come up with a plan to take over the world (Just kidding.) I always take the bus to school. I like public transportation a lot. I get a lot of inspiration from my many bus rides and just walking everywhere. You see a lot of stuff doing that that you normally would have missed if you were driving. I will give you the run down on creating a shirt since my days aren’t that typical. First it starts like anything else, a concept. So my first shirt which says “Men lie, women lie, numbers lie” on the front and on the back it says “But love doesn’t.” Inspiration came from Jay-Z and some awards show. He said “Men lie, Women Lie but numbers don’t.” He was throwing a subtle diss to all the people who were talking bad about him and pretty much just saying I’m getting paid, what about you? So I remixed it and said numbers lie. Which I think is very true if you watch “The Wire” you see instances of fake stats to make a reduction in crime or reading stats provided by politicians when they want you to vote for them or not vote for that other guy. People use numbers to tell many lies so that’s why I said numbers lie.

The color inspiration came from the Jordan Aqua VIII. Looking at the shoe, I just loved the color scheme and that was my first pair of Jordan’s. If you look at the heart on the sleeve of my shirt it looks like the tongue of the Jordan’s. I also wanted to throw in symbols so I put the man symbol in the word men, the female symbol in the word women and I have numbers pattern inside the word numbers. Then instead of dots on top of the letter “I” I used broken hearts. I think lies lead to broken hearts. So once my concept is finished I link up with my graphic designer and we lay everything out and we work on sizing. Then we go to the screen printer and try to match the paints with the colors that I had in mind and then the shirts are printed. Then comes the grind on Facebook and Myspace promotion to sell the shirts. I get the money via Paypal and then I mail out the shirt. That took me a year to do the first time because I had to find the right graphic designer and the right screen printer and then I had to raise the funds to pay for everything but now things are lot smoother and it takes more like maybe a month or two at the most to get a finished product.

Where do you see the company in the next five years? Do you plan to expand upon what you’ve already established?

In the next five years I should have a sneaker/streetwear boutique. Hopefully, I will have expanded beyond just t-shirts and have a blazers, sweatshirts, cardigans, hoodies, buttondowns and jackets. My biggest plan for the next five years is to recruit someone who is into women’s urban fashion so I can have a true women’s line.

What inspires your entrepreneurial spirit? Any words of wisdom for students who are pursuing their own business?

My biggest inspiration is not having to sit at a desk at the age of 35 hating my job and being stuck in the matrix. I did a lot of internships in DC working with people who hated their jobs and had dreams of doing something else but for one reason or another couldn’t really follow their dreams and I had to do something to make due and pay rent. My advice to any other students are if you really want to do something just do it I know its cliché but I hate the feeling of thinking of what might have happened if…. So just try to pursue your dream. It doesn’t hurt to try, look at me! I can’t draw a straight line to save my life and can’t sew a button on a shirt but I plan to have one of the hottest brands in the next couple of years. You just have to find what you do best. For me it’s creativity and networking. I come up with good concepts and I am able to link up with the right people to make those concepts come to life.

The last thing you have to do is believe in yourself even when everyone tells you that maybe you should try to do something else. It’s been plenty of times where I was like why don’t I just quit, but like I said earlier loving what you do doesn’t allow you to quit.

Make sure you check him out at http://www.myspace.com.officialsucka4

love and twitter.com/sucka4love

CP Feature: Size Me Up

2009-01-28T13:25:00.000-05:00

Melissa Adelman is co-founder and partner of Size Me Up, a company dedicated to simplifying the shopping experience. She is currently a student UNC-Chapel Hill.

What was your inspiration for starting this company?

I grew up right outside of New York City and have always been drawn to both the glamour and the business aspects of the fashion world. However, as a 5’10” woman, sizing inconsistencies among brands seem to make every shopping trip a challenge and often end in unnecessary frustration. I’ve tried on many pairs of pants marked “Long,” only to find that they barely made it past my knees. I would constantly gripe to others, thinking I was the only one affected by these sizing inaccuracies, and quickly realized that everyone has his or her own version of a shopping nightmare. This problem has become particularly troublesome for many with the advent of the internet apparel market, when the consumer does not even have the option of trying on the clothing before purchasing.

As a business major at UNC-Chapel Hill, I made the most of the resources available to me. I teamed up with some excellent people—fellow business major Jessica Crowell and computer whiz Garrett Berg—and entered the Carolina Challenge business plan competition. The business plan: a comparative sizing system to help women and men of different shapes, sizes, and heights easily find their correct size. We won the competition last April, and since then we have been working to bring this product to market and solve the sizing problem for billions of shoppers.

What are the goals of your company?

Our goal is for our patent-pending tool, Size Wand℠, to be available on the major online apparel retail websites so that shoppers can easily find their size in any item of clothing when they are shopping online. For example, if the shopper wishes to buy a pair of Abercrombie & Fitch Madison Flare jeans, she simply enters her size in an item that she knows fits her well (e.g. A pair of Gap Long & Lean jeans, size 6) and the tool will tell her to buy a size 4 in the Abercrombie jeans. Once she is given a size recommendation, the shopper will be more likely to make the purchase online and less likely to return the item. Besides becoming a “magic button” for shoppers, the tool will add an enormous value to online retailers; the increased browse-to-buy conversions and the decreased returns will save retailers billions of dollars.

How do you get the word out about your services?
Since we were featured in Forbes.com and the Yahoo.com homepage in January, many major national and international TV networks, radio stations, and newspapers have contacted us with interest in featuring our business. Because of the publicity, many e-tailers have contacted us to see how they can get involved in our business, because Size Wand℠ will make both their lives and the lives of their customers much easier, simplifying the entire experience of shopping for clothes online.

In addition, we spread the word about sizewand.com to consumers like you on sites such as college-pros.com. By sharing your closet at sizewand.com, you'll be ready to experience the convenience of Size Wand℠ the moment it goes live. Once logged into your account, Size Wand℠ literally does all the work for you without even clicking a button. Size Wand will automatically display your size as you browse clothing items throughout a retailer's site.

Where do you see the company in the next five years? Do you plan to expand?

In 5 years, we see the company expanding well beyond the 3 partners to a successful business that services all of the major online apparel e-tailers internationally.

What motivates you?

As an entrepreneur, I’m really excited about the ability to introduce a technology that will improve the lives of many people. I have heard countless horror stories from all different types of people who are frustrated with the lack of uniformity across sizes and the inability to make a successful clothing purchase online. The Size Wand℠ tool will take the guess work out of the process and make shopping fun again.

Do you have peers who are also pursuing entrepreneurial ventures?

Yes, I have peers who are pursuing entrepreneurial ventures, who I met at groups such at MindPetals NYC and the New York Tech Meetup. It’s easy to meet others when you go to these events, but in general, I know relatively few people who become entrepreneurs in college or right after graduation. It’s definitely not as common an option.

How important do you think it is to start at young age?

I think if you have a great idea and a drive to be an entrepreneur, it’s very important to start while still in college. College students have more flexibility in their schedules to evaluate this type of opportunity. In addition, college campuses have a wealth of resources (e.g. market research, professors with contacts and experience in entrepreneurship or a given industry.) As a student, you’ll find many influential and knowledgeable people are more willing to help you with your idea than once you get out into the real world. In addition, there are student business plan competitions that are a great way for you to evaluate your idea and even win money to start the business.

For more information check out http://www.sizewand.com

Support Alert!

2009-01-22T10:59:00.000-05:00

Who believes in you in all you do? None other than rapper Wale.

Hip Hop and Ya Don't Stop

2009-01-21T11:01:00.000-05:00

Where can you find T.I., LL Cool J, Trey Songz, Tony Okungbowa, and the unstoppable Russell Simmons all in one place? At the Hip Hop Inaugural Ball of course! Hosted at the Harman Center for the Arts, this event brought out suits and gowns. The evening combined a private reception, an awards show, and a after-party-- all perfectly in tune with the class and professionalism the political world has carpeted over everyone since the election of Barack Obama. Thanks to Expressive Frontier, I had the opportunity to interview a number of prominent faces such as Mario, Russell Simmons, and Bow Wow. (Video coming soon). I also, most memorably, got to meet Dick Gregory. Enough said, right?
Trey SongzRussell Simmons

T.I. and Judge Mathis

Group photo!Young Jeezy
Mario
Bow Wow
CEO of Expressive Frontier Brennan Gerald and Dick Gregory

Not A Day of Rest

2009-01-20T17:38:00.000-05:00

Sunday was my busiest day. The day began at the Georgia Democrats brunch hosted at the Hyatt Hotel. The program included a special performance from the Ron Clark kids (You Can Vote However You Like!) as well as commendable remarks from the Honorable Andrew Young who described Barack Obama as a "global candidate" and "created by God as a man for the season."

Directly after the brunch, I made my way over to Gwen Ifill's Book Party hosted at DC Coast. (Thank you Michel Martin!) It was a pleasant gathering in celebration of her new book on Barack Obama entitled "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama. I snagged myself a signed copy and plan on reading it immediately.

My day continued at a private reception for Realizing the Dream, Inc, an organization headed by Martin Luther King III. Their mission is to fulfill Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of a Beloved Community through initiatives that empower people to take control in their lives and communities. The reception was followed by an awards ceremony celebrating the work of individuals such as Queen Noor and Harry Belafonte. It was hosted by Nick Clooney (renowned journalist and yes, George Clooney's father).

John Lewis
Harry Belafonte

The evening quickly arrived and off I dashed to The Root Inaugural Ball. If there were a ticket to the hottest party in town, it may have been to this one. Samuel Jackson, Larry King, Diane Von Furstenburg, Alice Walker, Chris Tucker, and many more attended this celebration. Oh and of course let's not forget the one and only Oprah Winfrey. She made a brief appearance along with best friend, Gayle. Not one to pamper a celebrity ego, but I must say that Ms. Winfrey is as wonderful in person as she is on television.
Alice WalkerSamuel JacksonBiz Markie spinnin'.Larry KingOprah Winfrey being whisked away by her secret service.

What a Sunday.

2009-01-19T13:54:00.000-05:00

And the celebration continues. Today I attended

And the honor goes to...

2009-01-19T13:24:00.000-05:00

On Saturday evening, I attended the BET Honors Awards at the Warner Theater here in Washington. It was quite a celebration honoring icons such as Judith Jamison, B. Smith, and Mary J. Blige as well as icon on the rise, Tyler Perry. I am still getting over feeling starstruck. It's not every day that I get to chat personally with legends. Judith conquering the world of dance, B. Smith as an ever-expanding entrepreneur, Mary as the high priestess of hip-hop/R&B, and Tyler as a cinematic mogul-- you really can't get any better than that.

The legendary Judith Jamison

R&B songstress Monica

Congressman James Clyburn

Entrepreneur B. Smith

Congratulations to the honorees, you deserve unending recognition for your achievements.

Making Progress

2009-01-17T00:11:00.001-05:00

My inauguration festivities began at the Campus Progress Inauguration Kick-Off Party. It was a packed event filled with advocates of all ages. Campus Progress is a part of the Center for American Progress, a nonpartisan research and educational institute. It works with students at colleges and universities to help young people make their voices heard on issues that matter most. Don't we just love groups focused on our generation? We sure do.

The party featured John Podesta, co-chair of the presidential transition team and founder of the Center for American Progress and Paul Begala, a former advisor to President Bill Clinton. Musical entertainment was provided by Chester French, an up and coming pop duo (signed to Pharrell's label Star Track Entertainment). They're a charismatic, clever pair. Make sure you check out the video of their performance.

I also ran into two other familiar faces-- rapper Wale and Solange Knowles. Look out for interviews from them soon.

Want to learn some more about Campus Progress? Maybe you could become one of their student representatives. http://www.campusprogress.org/

Yes We Can....Party?

2009-01-12T23:08:00.000-05:00

Disclaimer: Where there is work done well, there is a party to celebrate.

There is no place like Washington for the next two weeks, and quite possibly the next 4 years. Next week, Barack Obama will officially become the 44th President of the United States. I have lived here my entire life and have never seen the mayhem anticipated in the streets of downtown DC.

Starting on Friday, I will begin personal coverage of the inaugural celebrations. The festivities begin for me at Jay Z's Inaugural Gala. Presented by the well-known entertainment and lifestyle group Team BBC, these celebrations promise to be ones to remember.

But wait! It doesn't stop there.

Continuing throughout the weekend, Team BBC is bringing P.Diddy, T.I., Young Jeezy, Akon, Common, as well as hip hop legends Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Biz Markie, and Kid Capri to the nation's capitol. It simply does not get any better.

But ladies and gentleman as you grab your tickets and assemble your attire, do me a favor and keep in mind the reason we are celebrating. It's not about the glitz and the glamour, but it's about the change we created together.

Pick your party from the list below. I look forward to seeing you.

"HISTORY IN THE MAKING ‘09"
Five Events Featuring: Jay Z, Diddy, T.I.,Young Jeezy, Akon & Common

January 16-20th, 2008
@
LOVE
1350 Okie Street NW , Washington , DC 20006

www.THEWITNESSPARTY.com

______________________________

Washington, DC - January 16-20, 2009, Marc & Taz , TEAMBBC.COM and their esteemed affiliates invite you to share this historic weekend at the largest free standing venue in the country, LOVE.

Friday 1.16.09: 8p-4a

The Jay-Z Inaugural Gala sponsored by Hennessey. Join us as we usher in of a new era of humanity. 2009: AMERICAN HISTORY with Jay-Z.

Saturday 1.17.09: 8p-4a

Diddy’s Ciroc Party, celebrating the BET Honors. The BET Honors will recognize legendary songstress Mary J. Blige for her contribution to entertainment and other pioneers in the Film, Music & Television industries.

Sunday 1.18.09: 8p-4a

Belvedere Vodka presents Presidential Status featuring elite performances by T.I. & Young Jeezy hosted by Akon.

Monday 1.19.09: 8p-4a
The Moet & Chandon Inaugural Ball with a special live performance by Common.

Tuesday 1.20.09: 8p-4a

The Legends Ball: featuring performances by Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Biz Markie and Kid Capri. Celebrate this historic weekend with four Legends of Hip Hop.

| 21+ | Early arrival is strongly suggested.

Attire: Black Tie Optional.

About the venue…

LOVE

LOVE Night club, has in a very short period of time showcased a notable list of high events ranging from DNC Fundraisers hosted by former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, to the compelling intent-driven evenings for major corporations such as America Online and Monster.com.

"The Witness Party"
Five Events Featuring: Common, The Honorable Jesse Jackson, Jr, Angela Bassett, Maserati of Baltimore, Courvoisier Exclusif, Moet & Chandon, & The Society of the Crown

January 15-20th, 2008
@
The Park at Fourteenth
920 14th Street NW , Washington , DC 20006
____________________________________________________________

Washington, DC - January 15-20, 2008, Marc & Taz and TEAMBBC.COM and their esteemed affiliates invite you to share this historic weekend at the Luxurious Park at Fourteenth for five distinctive events.

Thursday 1.15.09: 5p-2a

PANDORA: The Society of the Crown - The Pan-Hellenic Inaugural Spectacular and The Notorious Movie Premier Party presented by Bad Boy Entertainment, Fox Searchlight Films and Source Magazine

Friday 1.16.09: 6p-4a

Leaders of the New School presented by COMMON, Young and Powerful for Obama, & The Honorable & Mrs. Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Saturday 1.17.09: 6p-4a

The Black List: The celebration of America ’s first black president - a truly special addition to “The Black List”.

The Black List: Volume One is the brainchild of renowned portrait

Photographer/Filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and acclaimed NPR

radio host, journalist and former New York Times film critic Elvis Mitchell. The

Black List's interviewees come from a diverse collection of disciplines from the worlds of the arts, sports, politics, business and government.

Sunday 1.1/809: 6p-4a

The Prestige: The United Alumni Celebration. Distinguished Alumni from the nation’s most prominent institutions convene at The Park.

Monday 1.19.09: 6p-4a
Executive Privilege: The Ivy League Inaugural Celebration.
Young professionals from across the country descend upon the Nation's Capital to celebrate the inauguration of the 44^th President of the United States .

Tuesday 1.20.08: 6p-4a

Day: The Inauguration Viewing Party presented by Courvoisier Exclusif

Evening: The Capitol File Gala hosted Angela Bassett and the Honorable & Mrs. Jesse Jackson

21+ | Early arrival is strongly suggested.

Attire: Black Tie Optional.

About the venue…

PARK at FOURTEENTH

The Park at Fourteenth is a restaurant, lounge, and event space on four floors overlooking Franklin Square in Down town Washington , DC . Offering a sense of timeless elegance, beautiful views, and a warm welcoming interior, The Park at Fourteenth is the perfect place for dining, socializing and hosting your next event.

Need a little more info?
http://www.historyinthemaking09.com or www.thewitnessparty.com

THE INTERNS DESK:

2008-10-30T14:48:00.000-04:00

For the Love of Money

Last summer, I interned with Key Bank’s Real Estate Capital Private Equity group in Washington, DC. Like many other companies, Key Bank offered a scholarship attached with an internship. I was awarded an $8,000 scholarship plus an internship that paid $15 an hour. I enjoyed the internship a great deal; I worked very hard so it made me feel like I was part of the group. As an intern it is essential that you are adding value, because if you are not adding value most likely you will end up not getting a permanent offer. I tried to show my boss that I was really interested by participating as much as I could. Being an active intern is essential. Often times, the opportunity to participate depends on where you work. I was very fortunate enough to be placed in a setting that allowed me the opportunity to work with people who wanted to make my experience the best it could be. As an intern your job is to be a sponge, you should soak up every bit of knowledge you can. For example, my managing director received his MBA; he is where I want to be in the future. Therefore, I used any available opportunity to work with him directly.

Because I worked within the Real estate capital division; I prepared and read over deal memos detailing key financial statistics and industry comparables to issue debt to different real estate developers. Moreover, I developed numerous excel reports consisting of market data such as rental rates and competition for primary and submarkets. In addition, I created market project establishing a database for the group. Lastly, I collected market data on a quarter basis and set up the parameters and metrics for the national real estate division on a nation wide market.

Working at Key Bank has opened up a window of opportunities. For example, due to my past working experience I will be interning at Morgan Stanley this summer in their investment banking division. I am a Richard B. Fisher Scholar, meaning I have received a $7500 scholarship plus the Morgan Stanley internship in New York for the upcoming summer.

A misconception that many students have about their future is that you have to already know what you want to do after college. Interning during your college years is all about learning. Internships allow you the opportunity to see what you like about a potential career field and then decide whether or not you want to be in it for the long run. Not only this, but it will set you apart from your peers. Surprisingly a lot of students do not maximize their summers. By interning, companies and different graduate schools will see that you are self-motivated; it shows that you are smart, diligent, and are interested in your future. Also, you will be inspired by the people you work with and as a result you will become more ambitious.

For anyone looking into internships, I wish you the best of luck and I hope that you found my reflection helpful. Interning this past summer was a phenomenal experience for me and it could be the same and more for you.

Written by Jackson Sarter, Morehouse College '09

Mr. Russert, we miss you.

2008-06-14T10:14:00.000-04:00

College Pros mourns the loss of a scholar, a mentor, and the man who was warmly welcomed into the homes of millions of Americans every Sunday morning. Tim Russert was like a second father to me--giving my life direction as I pursue a career in broadcast journalism. Personally, I feel as if I have lost a member of my family.

Take time to appreciate all of those around you. Life is full of unexpected moments.

Say a prayer for his son, Luke, and his wife, Maureen Orth. His family was by far the most important part of his life.

"Study hard, laugh often, and keep your honor." Tim Russert

-

Jonna Humphries
Editor in chief
College Pros

COLLEGE PROS™

*UPDATE*

UPDATE

CP Feature: The BLACK Collection

CP Feature: American Bird Products

CP Feature: AArow Advertising

CP Feature

CP Feature: Baby's First Home

Support Alert!

The Intern's Desk

CP Feature: Flyer Enterprises

SPECIAL EDITION: A Moment with Juelz Santana

The Intern's Desk

CP Feature: Diabetic Angels

The Intern's Desk

CP Feature: Sucka 4 Love Clothing & Entertainment

CP Feature: Size Me Up

Support Alert!

Hip Hop and Ya Don't Stop

Not A Day of Rest

What a Sunday.

And the honor goes to...

Making Progress

Yes We Can....Party?

THE INTERNS DESK:

Mr. Russert, we miss you.

UPDATE