Page 335 - One Thousand Ways to Make $1000

For example, one young man paid his way through Purdue University by
selling jewelry. He was so successful that after graduating he was given a
sales position with the manufacturer and is now on his way to becoming sales
manager of the company. Another student in the same college hit upon the
idea of publishing a school calendar. This calendar was similar to a poster,
with space in the center for listing the school events of the month. The
advertising space around this central portion was sold to the local merchants
in the community. The placards were posted in every place frequented by
students. The revenue from the advertising paid for the printing of the posters
and yielded a profit large enough to pay the greater part of the student’s
tuition and living expenses.

Several years ago at Ames, two engineering students, faced with the necessity
of earning money to pay their expenses, organized a boarding club. Many
students were renting rooms where meals were not available and
consequently were eating around at little lunchrooms. These two students saw
the possibility of providing meals and looked about for a place suitable for
the enterprise.

A woman in town who rented rooms in her home to students, but who
provided no meals, was willing to rent her large dining-room to the club and
also to provide space in her basement for food supplies. Each Friday, the two
boys figured up their expenses for the week, added their charges for
administration, and then assessed each member of the club his proportionate
share of the expense. Included in the expenses were the wages of two women
who prepared the meals. Two students waited on the tables for their meals.
The total cost was kept down by buying all groceries wholesale and watching
for special bargains. About thirty students were served at each meal—all the
room would accommodate.

The meals were simple, but good, and as the cost was less than at other
boarding places, the club always had its full quota of members. Both boys
were on their toes and never missed an opportunity to sell the club idea to
new students. Of course, the student rooming houses in the vicinity were
solicited for members.