For her business, Israel has written and self-published two books and has even created a video package. Israel also teaches overseas.

Other students have started companies to gain valuable work experience.

"I definitely will own another business in the next five years or so," says Kanter.

But Kanter's work experience also had a very practical side.

"My family is not that well-off. I got into it for the money, not for the painting. It was a means to an end," Kanter says.

Organizational Obstacles

However, like businesses run by older professionals, student-run businesses are not immune to problems. Kanter says he didn't do very well during his first year. He grossed only $40,000.

He says he was much more successful during his second year when he grossed $100,000 and was named manager of the year.

"I learned the hard way," he says.

Kanter says he became more successful when he learned to do less work.

"I worked half as much my second year. I didn't know how to delegate the work to other people," he says. "I used to get up at 5:30 [a.m.] to watch the Weather Channel to make sure it wasn't going to rain." Kanter explains that during his second year, he discovered he could get his employees to monitor the weather and call him if there were problems.

Goel says he had some difficulties advertising his business.

"It can be frustrating. We don't have a large marketing budget. We have a good product and a good service. It's a matter of getting people to know about it," he says.

Student entrepreneurs have other obstacles besides learning how to most efficiently run their businesses. Because students are young, they may have trouble earning the trust of clients.

Carl P. Sjogreen '00, who owns a computer consulting company called Shadow Software, says that some companies were originally wary about his age, but soon learned to trust his expertise.

"Once they realize I know what I am doing, they don't care much," he says.