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If you think work-study
can't get you anywhere, think again. Just ask Melanie Spring Harris!
Work-Study Gig Turns into Big Business Venture
By Feona Sharhran Huff
September 2001
The CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- Like many college students,
Melanie Spring Harris, a senior organizational communications major
at Keuka College, Keuka Park, NY, worked odd jobs to help fund her
education -- stuff she despised doing.
Fortunately, after two and a half years, Melanie finally got the
opportunity to get paid doing something she truly enjoyed. She accepted
a work-study job where she built Web sites for classmates and friends.
Word of her fantastic skills spread straight to the office of Doug
Lippincott, Keuka's communications director, who was interested
in improving the school's site.
"I created some templates and [the school officials] liked
it," says Melanie. Soon after, she was hired to redesign Keuka's
official Web site.
Melanie saw her first big biz' deal as inspiration to search out
other businesses in the community who needed an online site boost.
She met with one business owner who liked her idea and helped her
register a business name. After that, Melanie's
E-Spring Works was on the track toward entrepreneurial success.
"E-Spring Works was started to service small businesses whose
advertising budgets don't fit the pricing of big Web design firms,"
Melanie explains. "I believe it's necessary that businesses,
no matter how small, use [Internet] resources to gain a customer
base."
Her business strategy was simple: door-to-door solicitation and
word-of-mouth marketing. It worked, too. Melanie now has between
12 and 15 clients. Her largest contract thus far has been $17,000.
For her six-month anniversary, Melanie was able to purchase a vehicle
-- a red 2000 Alero. And, her company recently merged with Lance
Technologies, a move that's allowed Melanie to assume more of a
Web marketing role.
Even though business is good, Melanie is focused on completing
her education, and advises other college entrepreneurs to do the
same.
"Don't quit college because you're making money now. You won't
have a degree behind your name if your business goes under,"
Melanie warns.
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