Damnit, why don't all college students just start their own companies? OK, so that's not realistic, but here's a great article on a few students who are doing it!

John Thompson, a University of Iowa business major, and a group of five other UI students have joined forces to create a multi-service Web site company called Hollithomp (I have no idea what the hell that means, but at least they found a URL to match it!). The group isn't just a bunch of code monkeys either, they focus on how to make Web sites work more efficiently for small businesses. They are working with a variety of local companies, from flower shops to real estate developers, to help solve business problems through Web sites, like allowing apartment dwellers to pay their rent online.

"I talk to a lot of small business owners who say their Web site isn't doing anything for them, it's a waste. No one knows it's out there and no one can find it," Thompson said. "People doing Web sites don't understand business. They might be good at design or programming but they don't understand how to bring it to the business side."

While I respect that they're doing, I think he's full of shit. How do you think web design/marketing firms got into business doing that work if they don't understand business? One of the greatest strengths that our clients tell us we have is that Balance Studios does understand business, and take the time to really understand theirs. And yes, that goes beyond the pitch.

Nevertheless, the students who run Hollithomp on concentrating on bringing several facets of business together, from financing to marketing, and bring it to the Internet for companies. Which is where the beauty of this arrangement lies, and why I think more college students w/out corporate gigs should just go it on their own (throw tomatoes...OK, are you finished? let me get on with my point). I know how little resources it takes to freelance, and with as many small businesses as there are in towns all across the US that could use some help from energetic, passionate and knowledgeable college students, I can't see any reason not to hang your shingle out when you've nothing to lose!

Thanks for the comments, Dana, and congrats on recently joining Balance Studios! It looks like your group has it together.

First off, HolliThomp is the results of the last names of the founders (Thompson & Hollister) slammed together. Too bad I hadn't read Word Craft before we came up with that name!

In regard to whether or not I'm number 1 in the # 2 business or not, I just want to remind you that not all web / design / marketing firms are good at what they do like Balanced seems to be. Many small business web sites were done by people who knew how to hammer out HTML or who know how to use Photoshop. There aren't many firms handling clients >11Mil and those small businesses take a big hit in the talent they hire to do their web sites. Most of my clients had terrible sites created for them by someone who bought FrontPage and didn't have a clue about brand representation, marketing messages, or even basic design. They definately didn't understand how to drive projects based on the results and returns that their clients would recieve, and the clients didn't know at the time how to ask for that. They just knew that they should have a web site. Unfortunately, after the terrible site was up and unsuccesful, they just assumed that was the results the Internet gave businesses like theirs. It makes one heck of a mess for us to clean up in small business's perception of how the web impacts their business.

Anyhow, I just thought I'd bounce a note back to you. Thanks for the comments and for reading Iowa City's newspaper. (Why? by the way...)

All the best-

John

John,

Looks' like you guys are on the right track, as I think we are as well. I can see your point, but I tend to take issue w/ sweeping generalizations, but I've seen some of the same junk you've seen, so your point of view is well taken

I got the news through a Google news alert on e-marketing or something like that. Those things are great for helping me keep up on the industry and pull from sites (such as the Iowa City news) that I wouldn't otherwise come into contact with.

I really love hearing about young entrepreneurs! Keep up the great work you guys!