News & Events Archive

ML grad paints a bright future with internship

Although he just graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School last year, Zach Wolfe is already running his own business.

A sophomore computer engineering major at Penn State University-Main Campus, Wolfe was accepted into a manager's internship position with College Works Painting, a national student painter's company that operates in 19 states. He began his position in February and is now nearing the top 20 percent in sales in Pennsylvania.

"I'm interested in computer engineering, and knowledge of business can be a major part of it," he said.

Wolfe's focus is on marketing his business and hiring employees for what should be a very busy summer. He hopes to make enough money to avoid taking out loans for his next semester at PSU, and is more than halfway to his goal.

To solicit customers, Wolfe and his team of marketers typically go door-to-door in Mt. Lebanon, South Hills, Sewickley and Ben Avon, but can go anywhere in Allegheny County. Securing solicitor permits was one obstacle the 19-year-old faced. He's learned, however, to use his time wisely and book appointments for estimates over the phone while waiting for permits to be approved.

"My mother, who is a sales trainer, taught me that you can't just be a pushy salesman. You have to find the need and fill the need in a polite and courteous manner," he said. "I don't want people saying 'no' so I find the ones that really need our product. They are more apt to say 'yes.'" To be selected for the branch manager internship position, Wolfe and hundreds of other students had to endure an intense interview process.

Founded in 1993, the College Works Painting program gives students an opportunity to build a competitive resume and gain marketable leadership skills. CWP helps university students develop, implement and illustrate a strong work ethic, strong communication skills, effective organizational management skills, powerful sales skills, and an overall understanding of the mechanics of leadership that can be applied to any profession.

College Works Painting hires more than 2,000 college students each year in 19 states throughout the U.S.

To learn more, visit http://www.collegeworkspainting.com.

WCU student runs painting business

BY ANDY EDWARDS, Staff Writer

WEST CHESTER — An internship with College Works Painting is not a run-of-the-mill exercise for corporate hopefuls or college students looking for credits.

For Jacky Wilson, a sophomore at West Chester University, it is a chance to run her own business.

As a College Works Painting intern, Wilson is in charge of a team of painters and marketers who offer their services in exterior painting to West Chester residents throughout the summer. She and her group are in the process of sending out fliers and going door to door in hopes of landing as many clients as possible by the end of the school year.

College Works Painting provides her with all the supplies she will need, and she will repay the company with the revenue she generates from her painting jobs. Last year, she and her team earned close to $65,000 from 23 clients, but this year, she's aiming for more.

"I want to get a reference letter from every single client that I work with," she said. "I want to finish first in the country and I want to also break the Pennsylvania record."

For Wilson, first in the country would mean that she generated the most revenue of any of the 500 to 800 interns across 26 states who give their time and talents to College Works Painting each summer.

The individual sales record is about $196,000, according to junior Sean Davies, who last year was branch manager. Wilson, the new branch manager, hopes to work with 50 clients this summer, a goal she sees as very realistic given the experience in business management that she gained last year.

"I've learned a lot through the process," Wilson said. "Obviously, being a freshman and doing this for the first time last year, I didn't know very much. But College Works, as far as training goes, they really help coach you into how to do everything correctly. Once I started doing everything myself, I was good after that."

Wilson said that part of the reason that the internship is so rewarding is that College Works is not an ordinary contractor. She gives free estimates, a 10 percent discount to clients who book her services the day of, and College Works offers a two- to five-year warranty on all projects.

"Customer service is my big thing," she said.

Davies said College Works buys painting supplies from Sherwin Williams for each of its interns, who then send revenues generated from their painting jobs to College Works to pay for the supplies and the wages of the painters.

College Works takes 40 percent off the top of every dollar earned, and pays interns on a bi-weekly basis once they start doing estimates. Last year, interns in Pennsylvania generated upward of $3 million in revenue.

Wilson said that she and her team focus exclusively on exterior painting, including trim work, cedar siding and asbestos work. She interviews prospective painters and performs estimates and prep work herself, all of which gives her the experience she needs to one day become the CEO of a company, her ultimate goal.

"Going through that experience and learning how to run my own small business as a 20-year-old in college is amazing," she said. "Once I graduate, I have that one step up and I'm ready to move on into the corporate world. I've learned so much about organization, time management and communication."

Wilson has already locked in 10 clients for the coming summer, and has interviews and visits scheduled. Well on her way to her summer goals, Wilson said she hopes her new clients are as happy with her work as her old ones were.

"They were just perfect," said Kristy Povich, who had the deck and sides of her house painted by Wilson's team last summer. "I couldn't have asked for anything more."

To get in touch with Wilson for an estimate or any painting needs, call her at 484-467-5893.