EF T2 L2 College Start Ups

Most college students see their time at university as the first step in their career path; afterward, they will go out into the working world and get a job. But some students have great ideas that simply cannot wait until graduation day. With many free resources and technologies available, more university students are starting small businesses while still in school.

Green Mobile
As a student at the University of Missouri, Brian Laoruangroch sold refurbished cell phones on eBay as a hobby. When he realized how much money he could make by buying, fixing, and reselling phones, he decided to create his own website and start a company called Green Mobile. His parents loaned him money, and he received funding from his local government. Brian said balancing work and studies was challenging, but he didn’t forget to pay attention in class.

Multiple Choice

Why did Brian Laoruangroch start the company Green Mobile?

• He realized he could make money by buying, fixing, and reselling phones.

• To help his classmates buy new phones.

• His parents suggested it as a good business idea.

• He wanted to create an app for phone repairs.

Multiple Choice

What helped Brian fund his company, Green Mobile?

• Donations from other students.

• Scholarships from his university.

• Investments from international companies.

• Loans from his parents and local government funding.

Whitney Williams has always been creative and enjoys making things in her spare time. While in elementary school, she sold handmade stationery to people in her neighborhood, and later she expanded her offerings to include one-of-a-kind purses. When Whitney visited Italy as a student at Texas Christian University, she fell in love with the handmade jewelry she saw there and started her own jewelry business. For the next two years, she sold her high-quality jewelry at small shows and private sales. As a result, the Whitney Williams Collection is now produced and sold around the world.

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Punch As a competitive swimmer, Zac Workman became very familiar with energy drinks. But Zac found problems with most energy drinks—they either tasted bad, used unhealthy chemicals, or caused fatigue after the energy boost. Thus, Zac researched alternatives in Indiana University. Using an old family recipe for fruit punch, Zac developed an energy drink with natural ingredients and found a partner to make it. His drink, Punch, became popular on campus.

Multiple Choice

How did Whitney Williams grow her jewelry business initially?

• By creating a website and selling online.

• By selling her jewelry at small shows and private sales.

• By advertising on television.

• By collaborating with large department stores.

Multiple Choice

What sets Zac Workman’s energy drink, Punch, apart from other energy drinks?

• It is made with natural ingredients and an old family recipe.

• It contains more sugar than other drinks.

• It was designed specifically for swimmers.

• It is sold exclusively online.

Multiple Choice

What inspired Whitney Williams to start her jewelry business?

• Her experience selling stationery in elementary school.

• The handmade jewelry she saw during her visit to Italy.

• A jewelry-making class she took at university.

• A desire to compete with global brands.