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Students learn business opportunities

By FOSS FARRAR
Traveler Staff Writer

Brianna Branine started taking dance lessons from the owner of Ark City Dance when she was 3-years old. Now a student at Cowley College, her goal is to follow in the footsteps of her dance instructor and open her own studio.

But she wouldn't open it in Arkansas City, Branine said.

"I would feel bad becoming a competitor of someone who taught me to dance," she said Wednesday. "I'd go to a bigger market, maybe Wichita."

Branine is among 12 students in an entrepreneurship class that meets at noon at the college. Some aim to open their own businesses and have clear ideas what kind of work they want to do. Others aren't sure what they'll do in the future but they are interested in entrepreneurship.

"I want to retire when I'm 30; that's why I'm taking this class," said Chase Von Bon, of Udall. "When I'm 30, I don't want to be working every day."

The class should help him choose a field of business, Von Bon added. "I want to get a business plan, make a lot of money and then retire."

Recent class sessions have focused on Arkansas City's economy and entrepreneurs. On Wednesday, for instance, the students discussed interviews they had completed with entrepreneurs.

Branine chose to interview Terri Schroeder, her longtime dance instructor and owner of Ark City Dance.

Schroeder said the interview brought to mind the courage it took for her to start her business years ago.

"Truthfully, it's scary to make that jump from what's a hobby to making a business," Schroeder said. "You ask yourself, 'Do I do this?'"

Branine told the class how Schroeder started her business in a garage, moved from there to the Denton Art Center, then went to the Recreation Center where she rented a room.

Finally, three years ago, she moved Ark City Dance to its current, roomy location on North Summit Street.

"I tried to get over to (Branine) all that's involved in owning a business -- taxes, wages," Schroeder said. "You learn a lot. I did my own accounting for years until I got into this building. Now I have an accountant."

Another student, Hanna Meek, of Arkansas City, chose to interview Mark Paton, who recently turned over his vending business to his son, Andy.

"(Paton) started right out of college, just out of K-State," Meek said. "The old boss had offered him a partnership in the business."

Meek said that Paton told her two big challenges for entrepreneurs are money management and time management.

"There are generally more demands for your money than there is actual money," Meek wrote in her project report.

"Multi-tasking was also an issue," she wrote. "There were times when being the boss, the chief cook and bottle washer meant the same thing. You have so many jobs to complete and not always enough time."

Being one's own boss doesn't mean you don't also have a boss, she said. "The size of the business doesn't matter; your bosses are your customers."

Several students said they didn't think there was a market in Arkansas City for businesses they plan to open. One, for example, wants to open a custom denim shop. She said she'd open it in Ponca City or Wichita, larger markets.

Roberts responded that a potential Ark City entrepreneur could sell clothing both locally and on-line.

Schylur Watson, of Arkansas City, said the Cowley College class is his second entrepreneurship course. He also took entrepreneurship at Arkansas City High School.

"In high school, it opened my eyes that you can make a lot of money," Watson said.

He said he'd like to start a family business locally, perhaps a restaurant-bar.

"Franchising your business is good," Watson said. "You could start here and open other (branches) elsewhere."