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- ness hub, the Georgia MBA offers: . One-year MBA program for ex- ceptional individuals with business degrees . Two-year program for other candidates . 11 elective courses allow the creation.of specialized areas of expertise . Excellent microcomputer facili- ties enhanced by a $2-million tBM grant . A:sistantships w/fee waiver; MBA internship and placement services; low cost of living; and renowned faculty THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA Write or call: MBA Program Director, 351 Brooks Hall,GSB, UGA, Athens, GA 30602 (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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