You no longer rely on your parents for cash or support, so you need to fend for yourself. Of course, that's not always an easy thing to do. Wouldn't you love to earn some money in between studying and partying?

Well, college students, you can.

CB Teen takes you inside the success stories of former and current college students who found ways to make fast money, and in some cases, start their own businesses right on campus. Jonathan Leezer, a 22-year-old senior at Slippery Rock University (Slippery Rock, PA), came up with an idea for a new business while hanging out with his friends. He wanted to start a product delivery service that could reach the target student group at his college.

Last fall, Jonathan created a Web site for Rock Delivery (www.rock-delivery.com), his new start-up. Through the site, he began fielding orders for a broad array of products ranging from BEN & JERRY's ice cream to ping-pong balls. Jonathan would buy such items either on sale or in bulk at wholesale stores and then sell them to those in the town of Slippery Rock. Instead of a customer having to make a trip to a store themselves or locate a hard-to-find product, they could just place an order through the site and it would be delivered at their convenience.

Now college students have a way to avoid the hassles of finding products at stores off campus, and at the same time, save some money.

Operating from his off-campus residence, Jonathan makes college life more convenient and offers a delivery service to fellow college students on the campus of Slippery Rock University. "We began by advertising there with flyers. We do really well on campus," notes Jonathan. So far, the company has turned a 22 percent profit. In January 2005, Rock Delivery became an official Limited Liability Company, recognized by the state of Pennsylvania. Jonathan plans to continue his business after he graduates in December with a degree in information systems and a business administration minor. "We may begin to franchise. We may also target local businesses for possible partnerships," says Jonathan. He's currently looking into purchasing a local abandoned building and renovating it into a giant storage facility.

Picking Up Prime Business Skills
Brian Carr: a 27-year-old business owner in Jersey City, NJ, graduated from Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA) in 2000 with a degree in business management. Back in his freshman year, Brian created a proposal for a class project in which he and another student created T-shirts advertising a house party. Brian has been producing and selling custom design T-shirts ever since through Solid Threads, LLC, which he now owns and operates.

In the company's beginnings, during Brian's sophomore year, he would go door to door on campus selling his own designed shirts. Soon, Brian was able to hook up with a local print shop where he became the students' middleman amidst learning some business skills. "They would tell me what kind of shirt they wanted created and I'd place the order with the print shop," Brian recalls. After college, he created an online store (www.solidthreads.com), where he returned to selling his own designed shirts.

In June 2004, Brian made a decision to quit his advertising job and solely focus on Solid Threads. He set up a stand at a local street fair where he nearly tripled his total sales. He has since come to an agreement with popular retail store Urban Outfitters, where his shirts will be sold.

Currently, Brian is working on expanding his business and giving college students opportunities. "I hope to open my own print shop and have students become my middlemen, doing what I used to do," he says.

Similar to Brian, Phil Han has taken the leap from class project to start-up company. Phil is a 19-year-old sophomore at Babson College (Wesley, MA), ranked one of the best entrepreneurship schools in the United States.

In a class on how to start your own business, Phil and his classmates created a company selling the popular wristbands similar to the ones made famous by LANCE ARMSTRONG's cancer-fighting campaign.

After earning a huge profit that was later donated to charity, Phil decided to pursue a similar company now known as Royal Marketing Co., LLC. He and a group of 15 sales representatives solicit customers who can place orders for customized wristbands either directly or through the company Web site (www.royalwristbands.com). Although the company is doing well in its short existence, forward-thinking Phil realizes the wristband trend may lose popularity. "I'm currently working with our vendor in China to supply other products to be imported and sold in America," he says.

Asher Abraham, a 22-year-old senior at Queens College (Flushing, NY), is currently a sales
representative for Cutco Cutlery, a division of the Vector Marketing Corporation (www.workforstudents.com). Cutco manufactures and sells kitchen knives through in-house demonstrations. Asher is one of the top grossing sales reps in the company. Through his dedication and work at Cutco, Asher has been able to buy a car and an apartment. But according to Asher, it's the experience -- not the money -- that is his greatest reward. "It's not what you do but what kind of a person you become in the process," he contends. "The company has taught me to be more confident. I've learned so much."

Asher believes the skills he has acquired through Cutco will help him in anything he decides to do. "It's like running your own business. You have to call, set up the appointments, learn to manage your time," he says. At Cutco, you make as many house demonstration appointments as you want. As far as school goes, Asher doesn't cut corners -- he focuses more and procrastinates less, resulting in a near-perfect GPA for the past spring semester.

Cutco's hiring of college students has been a mainstay within the company since its inception. Al DiLeonardo, CEO of Vector Marketing East, became a Cutco sales rep while attending Temple University (Philadelphia, PA). "You learn to build relationships and rapport at Cutco. You learn invaluable management skills and gain great resume experience," says DiLeonardo. It's the commitment between the company and its student employees that has helped Cutco grow to over 225 operations within the United States.

As for Asher, he's in the process of completing his degree in corporate finance with a business minor. He envisions staying with Cutco well after his graduation, and hopes to become a full-time manager within the company.

Parker Brown, a 21-year-old senior at the University of Louisville (Louisville, KY), began working at a 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise in Louisville in January 2003 to earn some extra cash. In the years since, Parker has found the job to be much more valuable. "It's a great place to work. You learn many skills, including aspects of running a business, marketing, and management," he says.

1-800-GOT-JUNK? was actually created in 1989 in Vancouver, British Columbia, by a college student. Brian Scudamore, then a freshman business major at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, B.C.), founded the business as a way to pay for his college tuition. Brian spent $700 out of his $1,000 savings to buy a pickup truck. He then traveled door to door asking the city's residents if they had any junk they would like removed. In exchange, Brian charged a fee. Soon enough, Brian had a lucrative business going.

By 1993, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? (www.1800gotjunk.com) was a brand name in Vancouver. Brian incorporated the business and began to grant franchises. "Currently, there are 157 franchises throughout North America," notes Brian. The pickup service is also negotiating to expand to Australia.

As for Parker, he's finishing up his degree in communications this year, and has been promoted to a driver position at 1-800-GOT-JUNK?. He's also considered following in Brian's footsteps and owning his own franchise.

For these students, the message is clear: Finding the right job opportunity can mean more than just extra cash. It can become the road to a lucrative and successful career or entrepreneurial endeavor.

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