University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

Page 26 text:

STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS by Katherine Glaser How many times has someone had an ingeneous idea that was just what the rest of the world was waiting for... something that could have been an overnight sen- sation? Often, the only thing that stands in the way is gathering the gumption to follow through. Some stu- dents at the University of Kansas deserve a salute for taking an idea from inspiration to action. Entrepreneurs in both service and retail businesses abound at KU. Speaking from their experiences, some KU entre- preneurs made suggestions to future entrepreneurs: I .) have your plans worked out and have a back-up plan. 2.) make sure you ' re aware of the demands your project will take on your time. 3.) don ' t allow yourself time to get discouraged . . . just keep working. COME IN AND EAT OR WE WILL BOTH STARVE John Hetler, owner of Pup ' s Grill, at Ninth and Indiana streets. Restauranteur At the beginning of the school year, after only three : months of planning, John Hetler opened Pup ' s Grill, i on the corner of Ninth and Indiana streets, with the help of his friend, and night manager, Adam Zimmer- man. Hetler felt a need in Lawrence for a restarant that served Chicago-style food at reasonable prices. I ' m not trying to make a million dollars, I ' m just trying to make a living. I like being busy and the challenge involved really attracts me, he said. Hetler is a Chicago senior, studying psychology at KU. He is not a newcomer to the entreprenuerial world either. Previously, Hetler was a partner in Pinnacle Productions, a successful party and disc jockey service. Before that he sold T-shirts on his own. A retail business like this requires a lot of man hours seven days a week, he said. In the early stages, Hetler devoted 15 to 20 hours per day to Pup ' s. During the first semester of operation he was only able to take classes through correspondence. However, this past se- mester he has returned to campus although he was forced to take either early morning or night classes so that he could be at Pup ' s during the day. The leadership and organization required to keep everything running smoothly is what Hetler finds most difficult about his job as owner. He has 25 part-time employees, all close to his own age, but according to Hetler they have a good working relationship, I work with them not above them. We are a team, he said. Considering that a restaurant is probably the high- est risk investment, Pup ' s is doing well and I am pleased, he said. Currently Hetler is exploring the possibility of opening another reastaurant in Overland Park sometime this spring. This Pup ' s would be a joint venture with Chrismon Nofsinger, a KU student who works with Hetler. After graduation, Hetler would like to stay connect- ed to the restaurant somehow but not necessarily as a physical presence. 22

Page 25 text:

' The Homestead Greys ' practice. ' Sacred Cow ' performs at the Bottleneck. Dale Fullcmon Andrew Morns ' The Sleep ' performs at Open Mic Night at the Bottleneck. 21

Page 27 text:

Security Guards In 1987, Mike Killeen and Buck Taylor founded Guardian Security, a security service that caters to the needs of social chairmen. Their original idea was that they would be party planners, to eliminate the need for social chairmen, but it quickly transformed into a securi- ty service offering unobtrusive risk management for parties. Killeen and Taylor tailor their services to the hosts ' wishes. They will check identification, patrol parking lots and act as bouncers. They have worked primarily for sorority parties so far. Killeen is a St. Louis senior, studying architecture. Taylor is a Chicago junior, studying public relations in the school of journalism. This is not the first entrepren- uerial endeavor for them; previously each sold T-shirts independently. Guardian Security takes about 15 to 20 hours of their time each week. In an average month they work three parties. Their initial investment was approxi- mately $100, spent on uniforms and flyers. Considering Guardian ' s meager beginning, we have come a long way and captured a sizeable portion of the market, Killeen said. Currently, they have two employ- ees and are considering adding an advertising manager. Also, they are considering expanding their service to both Ottawa University and Baker University. After we graduate, I would like to see the idea continue, captained by someone who is dedicated to the company ' s original philosophy, Taylor said. Cheryl Crone Mike Killeen and Buck Taylor, founders of Guardian Security 23