2008 Woodie Awards
Students open small businesses, enjoy fruits of self-sufficiency
Mia Walters
Issue date: 6/3/08 Section: La Vida
Hutchins said he purchased Lawn Raiders because he realized he does not like working for someone else, and as a result, needed a way to pay for school and support himself.
The young entrepreneur said he also was influenced by his dad who owns an array of different companies.
"My dad was a huge influence on me," he said. "He owns a few different companies from a gas station to a restaurant. Watching him had an impact on me wanting to open my own companies."
Hutchins hopes for Lawn Raiders and Raider Waiters to become well-known and expand in the future. Hutchins supports himself from the income he makes from Lawn Raiders and is hoping that Raider Waiters will make more of a profit if it becomes more popular.
Since he supports himself and understands how difficult it can be for college students to do so, Hutchins said he gives a helping hand to others in a position he used to be.
"I only employ college students," he said. "I want to help students get through school and have a good, reliable summer job."
Dunn is from Abernathy and graduated from Tech in December 2007 with a degree in business management. He is the owner of Dunn Door Company, a garage door installation and repair company which he opened in May 2006. The business grossed $175,000 in total revenue last year.
Dunn said he opened his company by using school grants and received a small line of credit from a bank. He used all of his own resources to start his business and supports himself with its income.
Dunn said balancing school and work was demanding, but he knew he had an obligation to his job.
"Towards the end of school it started to become really difficult to juggle school and work, he said. "I missed some classes that I probably shouldn't have missed, but I made it work. I had to."
The secret to owning a business while attending school is to know that the work has to be done and be aware of how many activities can be finished in one day, which is what Dunn said he credits his success to.
"I learn something new everyday," he said. "I started with a little bit of knowledge of how to work and manage other people. Everyday is a learning experience that I gain new knowledge from."
The young entrepreneur said he also was influenced by his dad who owns an array of different companies.
"My dad was a huge influence on me," he said. "He owns a few different companies from a gas station to a restaurant. Watching him had an impact on me wanting to open my own companies."
Hutchins hopes for Lawn Raiders and Raider Waiters to become well-known and expand in the future. Hutchins supports himself from the income he makes from Lawn Raiders and is hoping that Raider Waiters will make more of a profit if it becomes more popular.
Since he supports himself and understands how difficult it can be for college students to do so, Hutchins said he gives a helping hand to others in a position he used to be.
"I only employ college students," he said. "I want to help students get through school and have a good, reliable summer job."
Dunn is from Abernathy and graduated from Tech in December 2007 with a degree in business management. He is the owner of Dunn Door Company, a garage door installation and repair company which he opened in May 2006. The business grossed $175,000 in total revenue last year.
Dunn said he opened his company by using school grants and received a small line of credit from a bank. He used all of his own resources to start his business and supports himself with its income.
Dunn said balancing school and work was demanding, but he knew he had an obligation to his job.
"Towards the end of school it started to become really difficult to juggle school and work, he said. "I missed some classes that I probably shouldn't have missed, but I made it work. I had to."
The secret to owning a business while attending school is to know that the work has to be done and be aware of how many activities can be finished in one day, which is what Dunn said he credits his success to.
"I learn something new everyday," he said. "I started with a little bit of knowledge of how to work and manage other people. Everyday is a learning experience that I gain new knowledge from."
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Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
Lena
posted 6/02/08 @ 9:10 PM CST
Very impressive. And by the way, is there a website for Raider Waiters?
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