2008 Woodie Awards
Bear Minimum Card
Enterprising students set up discount card with village businesses
Public Affairs
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: News
Just a $10 investment can get SUNY Potsdam students, faculty and staff a whole year of discounts at local businesses with the new Bear Minimum Card, created by seven students in the Department of Business Administration's Entrepreneurship course.
The students were charged with creating and running a business during the course of the one semester class. Under the direction of Dr. Ed Portugal, chair and professor in the Department of Business Administration, junior Sarah Stoneburg of Auburn, senior Sarah Teremy of Rochester, senior Suchada Wojewoolzic of Potsdam, junior Jaime Reives of Henderson Harbor, senior Justin Washington of Brooklyn, senior William "Casey" Brown of Apalachin and senior Jason Rembert of Port St. Lucie, FL, created a discount card inspired by the cards that were often sold at their high schools.
"It was brought to our attention that many of us participated in cards such as this during our high school years but had not seen one associated with our college lifestyle," said Stoneburg, the group's team leader. "By participating in our discount card, businesses are acknowledging the college town they reside in and showing community involvement. With better weather around the corner, it will get the SUNY Potsdam community in their door.
Business included in the discount program are Arby's, AT&T Mobility, Burger King, First Crush Bistro, Happy Daze, Magic Comb, Sergi's, Shear Creations, Sleepy Hollow Tattoo Studios, Strawberry Fields, Videorama and Village Wine and Liquors.
The students meet with several businesses in the village to discuss the card and its benefits to both the organization and the students.
"We are hoping to sell a few hundred cards due to the fact that the businesses that are participating really put themselves out there with great discounts. They range from 20 percent off to a free coffee with any food purchase," Stoneburg said. "We greatly appreciate how well the business responded."
To get the word out to students, the group has used Facebook and MySpace pages because according to Stoneburg, they are the fastest ways to communicate with the student network. The group also created posters and spread the word among their friends.
With the logo "Every Potsdam Bear Needs Their Bear Necessities," the enterprising students developed a radio broadcast that plays in the student union using "The Bear Necessities" song from "The Jungle Book."
Cards are on sale now in the Barrington Student Union. The sales will continue through April. The card expires on March 31, 2009.
The students have learned a great deal from creating and running their own business and have found a few surprises along the way.
"We have learned that team work and communication is very important, as well as strong organization, planning and communication skills," said Stoneburg. "Our biggest surprise really was how many obstacles you must overcome because they never really stop happening. Each of us feels we can already walk away from this class with real-life lessons for the future."
The students were charged with creating and running a business during the course of the one semester class. Under the direction of Dr. Ed Portugal, chair and professor in the Department of Business Administration, junior Sarah Stoneburg of Auburn, senior Sarah Teremy of Rochester, senior Suchada Wojewoolzic of Potsdam, junior Jaime Reives of Henderson Harbor, senior Justin Washington of Brooklyn, senior William "Casey" Brown of Apalachin and senior Jason Rembert of Port St. Lucie, FL, created a discount card inspired by the cards that were often sold at their high schools.
"It was brought to our attention that many of us participated in cards such as this during our high school years but had not seen one associated with our college lifestyle," said Stoneburg, the group's team leader. "By participating in our discount card, businesses are acknowledging the college town they reside in and showing community involvement. With better weather around the corner, it will get the SUNY Potsdam community in their door.
Business included in the discount program are Arby's, AT&T Mobility, Burger King, First Crush Bistro, Happy Daze, Magic Comb, Sergi's, Shear Creations, Sleepy Hollow Tattoo Studios, Strawberry Fields, Videorama and Village Wine and Liquors.
The students meet with several businesses in the village to discuss the card and its benefits to both the organization and the students.
"We are hoping to sell a few hundred cards due to the fact that the businesses that are participating really put themselves out there with great discounts. They range from 20 percent off to a free coffee with any food purchase," Stoneburg said. "We greatly appreciate how well the business responded."
To get the word out to students, the group has used Facebook and MySpace pages because according to Stoneburg, they are the fastest ways to communicate with the student network. The group also created posters and spread the word among their friends.
With the logo "Every Potsdam Bear Needs Their Bear Necessities," the enterprising students developed a radio broadcast that plays in the student union using "The Bear Necessities" song from "The Jungle Book."
Cards are on sale now in the Barrington Student Union. The sales will continue through April. The card expires on March 31, 2009.
The students have learned a great deal from creating and running their own business and have found a few surprises along the way.
"We have learned that team work and communication is very important, as well as strong organization, planning and communication skills," said Stoneburg. "Our biggest surprise really was how many obstacles you must overcome because they never really stop happening. Each of us feels we can already walk away from this class with real-life lessons for the future."
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