MARCH 1989 Dollars An e
U. THE NATIONAL COLLEGE NEWSPAPER 17
Dartmouth student churns out thriving, diverse businesses
By Lulu Kroll
The Dartmouth
Dartmouth College, NH
What do news, food and musichave in
ommon? All of them are at the crux of
usiness ventures that have been own-
ed and operated by Dartmouth College
undergraduate Matt Ridenour over the
past several years.
Ridenour is a budding capitalist who
seeks and creates new business ven-
tures, both within the confines of
Hanover, N.H. and beyond. His succes-
ses attest that entrepreneurship is
thriving at Dartmouth.
During his freshman year, he formed
ENTREPRENEUR NEWS
Ad club boasts in-house agency ...
"No other Big Ten school has an agency inside its ad
club," boasts Indiana U. senior and Ad Club Presi-
dent Doug Stone. Indeed, the club, called Ad Infini-
tum, has made waves in Bloomington, Ind. Last year,
Stone recognized the club's potential and volun-
teered to lead it. Modeled after an actual advertising
agency, the club is divided into creative, art, produc-
tion, media and research departments. A year ago, it
grew from 13 to 50 volunteer members. Money
raised is being put toward a new office, an Apple
Macintosh computer and a laser printer. Last fall, it
earned a profit of about $5,000, up from around
$600 a year before, Stone said. Jodi Sternoff,
Indiana Daily Student, Indiana U.
Move over Reebok ... A new design of
sneakers have hit the college market. Sweet Pea
Sneakers (actually Pro-Keds with some exterior de-
sign) are here. Adorned with lace, appliques and
crystals, each pair is hand-designed and no pair is
identical. The creation of student artist Pam Kobrin,
the shoes retail for $38, but have sold for as much as
$90 in New York City. Hi-tops, child's and infant
sneakers are also due out. Michele
Fredericks, The Metro, Fairleigh Dick-
inson U., NJ
Lofty goals ... Industrial supervision majors
David Daiss and Scott Lawrence like to set lofty
goals. As part of the remodeling business they
founded, the pair is building lofts in residence hall
rooms. "We saw aneed for loft-building on campus.
Not everyone has the ability or the tools to construct
a loft of their own," said Daiss. Their company,
Northland Remodeling, also has contracts with area
businesses and residents. The duo has sacrificed
hobbies for their work but said it was worth it. "tm
tired of working for people and not coming out on
tap," Lawrence said. Kathy Hunton, The
Lumberjack, Northern Arizona U.
University of Georgia MBA
Located near Atlanta, the South's busi-
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. One-year MBA program for ex-
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business degrees
. Two-year program for other
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. 11 elective courses allow the
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. Excellent microcomputer facili-
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. A:sistantships w/fee waiver;
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THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
Write or call:
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(404) 542-5336
Contact School
Directly
GRS Investments with two students.
The trio's first business, Unlimited
Sounds, originated from the purchase of
a disc jockey sound system. Unlimited
Sounds quickly expanded to two sys-
tems and hired more student DJs.
In the fall of 1987, with Unlimited
Sounds revenue secured, Ridenour de-
cided to seek other opportunities.
"We wanted to try something new,"
Ridenour said, "something interesting
and challenging."
'Challenging' is a good way to de-
scribe Ridenour's next venture. Aware
that Dartnews, the college's subscrip-
tion news service, was having problems,
Ridenour made a takeover bid. He suc-
ceeded and revamped the service.
He worked out new deals with The
New York Times and USA Today. He
hired more employees, moved data into
computers and upped delivering wages.
Incentive bonuses were also installed.
His efforts paid off; subscriptions
jumped from 350 to 790 over last year.
He passed Dartnews on and moved to
other businesses. He created an ice
cream express and food delivery service
through a local restaurant. Between 50
and 100 orders are phoned in each
night, according to Ridenour.
The newest GRS business, Alumni
Custom Cruises, stems from Ridenour's
desire to extend his interests. After re-
searching various alumni chapters
across the nation, Ridenour said he's
hoping to sell 40-60 trips in 1990.
His interests beyond Hanover have
taken a turn West. He and two partners
plan to bid on a nightclub in California.
Ridenour's goal is simple: He wants to
touch all Dartmouth students' lives.
"I would like to think by the time a
person graduates that he had contact
with GRS Investments either through
working for the company or buying
their products or services."
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