Making the bucks

College students are notorious for scavenging for money. Adam Kern and Vishnu Reddy, two students who started their own businesses from scratch, no longer have that problem.

Adam Kern, a junior mechanical engineering major, fooled around with the idea of starting his own business for a long time before finally putting his dreams into action in Sept. 2004.

With money he earned over the summer, he worked to build his own clothing company, "Almost Famous."

"I brought my own equipment and researched everything, I also do everything at home," said Kern.

For Kern, designing clothing started out as a hobby reflecting his unique personality. When it started to become a serious endeavor, he decided to take it to a new level.

"Only after seeing an advertisement in a magazine and along with the fact that I was told that I had a very unique style did I even think of the best way to express myself," wrote Kern on his website, www.almostfamousinc.com, where students can view and purchase items from his clothing line.

He bought all of his own equipment and works out of his home.

Kern's apparel is centered around bands he has contracts with, including the local band, Mortifere.

School and the demands of his business take up all of his spare time.

"If I am not doing homework I play around with designs, then I go home on weekends and implement the ideas and see how they work," he said.

Kern's efforts are also spent on expanding his business.

"I am trying to get my merchandise into stores like Pac-sun and Hot Topic," he said.

Vishnu Reddy, a senior mechanical and aerospace engineering major, is an entrepreneur who focuses on cars.

"I like the benefit of owning my own business. I worked in a car dealership and it helped me gain the experience that I needed to bring the business that I wanted to life," he said.

Reddy worked for two years in a car dealership, apprenticing and learning the trades of the business, before starting his own dealership.

His business keeps him on the go, looking for car deals anywhere between Rochester and as far as Philadelphia. He said his experiences have gained valuable knowledge in the world of business and dealing with money.

"No one wants to give 19-year-old college students money, but everyone wants to dip into your pockets," he said.

Juggling school and his business comes naturally to Reddy.

"School comes easily for me, plus my company is based off of my cell phones," he said. "People just call if they need any information regarding the dealership."

For now, he wants to keep his business at a manageable size.

"I want to keep my overhead down, keep about three cars at a time and then when demand is higher I will increase my supply," he said. "The driveway is just not big enough right now to keep so many cars on hand."

Reddy said he plans on retiring at the age of 30 and either moving south, or to India, where he said he wants to start his own manufacturing or exporting company.

"Entrepreneurship runs in my family, so I have to keep the legacy going somehow," he said.

Lauren Eriksen, a senior psychology and sociology major has dabbled with the idea of starting her own business, and is well aware of the work required to make a business successful.

"You cannot expect for everything to be given to you or for you to slack off when you have a goal like this in mind," she said.

Adam Kerns said that students who are interested in starting their own business need to accept possible failure.

"Be patient, consider time management, there is a lot of criticism and hardships when dealing with gaining money," he said. "Plus there is always a chance that you will fail, but you have to keep in mind that there is also a chance where you can make a very good profit."

Kerns added that being educated on the business trade is essential.

"Talk to other people who have companies and try to get enough information about taxes, insurance, getting started and things like that," he said. "That information will really help you to exceed your expenditures."

For Reddy, the key to business success is dedication.

"I love working," he said. "If you love what you're doing then it doesn't feel like work."