Blog Archive
Using Entrepreneurship to Give…
May 14, 2013
With the knowledge I've learned through College Pro and our Entrepreneurship class at theUniversity of St. Thomas we started a business to help children with cancer. It is a one-for-one program selling hats. For every hat we sell, we give one to a child battling cancer. Read More
College Pro & Outward Bound Ca…
April 29, 2013
In July 2013, College Pro will run a NEW program in partnership with Outward Bound Canada designed for young leaders (age 16-18). Program Participants will earn a Grade 12 University/College business credit - Business Leadership: Management Fundamentals (BOH4M). Read More
Mia's Marketing Success
April 19, 2013
Mia is a rookie business owner in Lynnwood, WA – an expansion turf (an area College Pro hasn’t operated in previously) and she’s killin' it! She’s currently sitting with the most new estimates complete in our entire Window Cleaning brand! We asked Mia to share what she's up to... Read More
Alternative Spring Break Chari…
April 16, 2013
Instead of Cancun, a group of nearly 40 College Pro franchisees from the Midwest US (IL, IN, IA, MO, NE, KS) spend their Spring Breaks doing some painting, for a good cause. The group refreshed some 14+ buildings at the Uspiritus Bellwood campus in Louisville, KY. Read More
National Painting Week
April 16, 2013
Spring is often a time of renewal and new beginnings, and a time when homeowners really look at their homes through a different lens, thinking of creative ways to improve and refresh their homes without necessarily spending a lot of money. Painting the interior or exterior of your homes can create an entirely different feeling of the space, and can be the most cost effective way to change the appearance and increase your home’s value. In fact, according to the National Home Color Survey from Sherwin-Williams, 62% of homeowners are planning a painting project! Read More
From Airplanes to Squeegees
August 15, 2012
If you asked me 20 months ago where I saw myself on this very day, I would probably answer something wistfully along the lines of, “sipping ice tea and sailing along the coast of Italy.” In fact, 20 months ago, as I dreamed of all the ways that wish could become a reality I could not have foreseen how spending the past two summers as a College Pro Franchise manager instead would shape and change my life. Read More
Happy Customer Testimonial
July 17, 2012
I'd love to rave about the College Pro Painters from Sequim, WA. Read More
Top 10 Ways to Beautify Your H…
July 17, 2012
According to the National Association of Realtors, when it comes to increasing the value of your home - exterior improvements still lead the pack in terms of biggest bang for the buck, with siding and windows paying you back over 75 percent of their cost upon resale. So why not consider some things you can do to increase curb appeal, and value. Read More
College Pro Beautifies a Saska…
June 27, 2012
Students to volunteer up to 117 hours to paint a home for free! College Pro Painters has helped thousands of college student entrepreneurs realize their dream of becoming small business owners over the years, and we have also been a very strong presence in the communities in which we serve, coming together to donate our time and do something good for communities across North America through a variety of local and national initiatives. Read More
College Pro Window Cleaning: K…
June 13, 2012
As spring hit southern Ontario, so did the crews at College Pro Window Cleaning: a student based residential window cleaning company. Read More
Making the Most of Home Improv…
June 12, 2012
With summer just around the corner, thoughts of remodeling that old bathroom, adding a splash of color to outdated paint and replacing drafty windows are top of mind for many homeowners. With May National Home Improvement Month recently passing, there is no better time than the present to start planning! Read More
Tips on How to Stain Your Deck
May 31, 2012
Your deck can really suffer and take a toll from year-round exposure to the elements—wind, rain, sun, snow, and foot traffic. Your deck’s finish will inevitably start to wear off, leaving the wood looking old, peeling, weathered, and battered. If the wood loses its protective layer of stain, the harsh elements can eventually split or rot the wood. For these reasons, maintaining your deck is extremely important, and it does take a bit of work. If you have a weekend to spare, here are some tips for how to stain your deck. If you are not the “do-it-yourself” type, College Pro Painters specializes in exterior staining and painting, and provides free estimates to do the work for you! Read More
Think Exterior Painting is jus…
May 22, 2012
Painting or staining the exterior of your home can make a dramatic difference to the look and feel of your home. It is also one of the most cost-effective ways to change the appearance of a home and increase your home’s value at the same time! Read More
Is home improvement worth the …
May 18, 2012
Our homes are our sanctuaries, our prized possessions, the places where we go to feel our best, relax, spend time with family and friends, and simply be. Spending the time and money to maintain our homes is increasingly important, and there are a few home improvement projects that have been shown to actually increase the value of your home. Read More
Tips for selecting the right c…
May 15, 2012
Let’s face it…we all have to do lists and really like getting our hands dirty and accomplishing things. The reality is that there are some jobs that are best left to the professionals. But choosing the wrong contractor can cause all kinds of problems, lead to delays and additional costs, and potentially cause legal problems. Who wants to deal with that!? Since May is National Home Improvement month, we thought it would be helpful to provide you with some tips on choosing the best contractor for your needs to ensure a good working relationship and a successful project. Read More
How to Properly Clean your Win…
May 11, 2012
Nothing renews your home’s sparkle like bright clean windows. This is a home improvement project that can instantly reveal the brightness and light you have been missing, and make a huge difference in how you feel about your home. Read More
May: National Home Improvement…
May 01, 2012
Spring is here, the flowers are blooming, the weather is starting to warm up, and many homeowners are spending more time enjoying their home’s exterior spaces. With the warmer weather comes the inevitable creation of the “to do” list, and many homeowners have probably already started to make their lists of the projects they want to complete for their home. There is no better time than May’s National Home Improvement month to put the finishing touches on your project plans to enhance curb appeal or add value to your homes. Here is some information on projects to consider. Read More
Looking back on College Pro
April 30, 2012
“Hands down, the Most Important stepping stone of my journey and entrepreneurial process was College Pro. I had a lot of growing to do both before and after CP, but who I have – and am becoming thanks to the experience is phenomenal. Extremely Grateful to this incredible company, and the doors that have opened being a business person!” Read More
Two College Pro Staffers Parti…
June 21, 2011
College Pro Northern Ontario General Manager Patricia Seaton and Erin Scheel, head of Special Projects, recently participated in the Southern Ontario Amazing Race for charity. The two raced as Team College Pro, proudly sporting their CP headbands, for the second year in a row. Read More
Summer Work Season Under Way
June 03, 2011
The summer work season is under way for College Pro, and we are taking the opportunity to feature the work of our franchisees with Q&A’s from clients. The below Q&A and photos feature the work of Michael Gore-Hickman, College Pro Painters franchisee in Saskatoon North West. Read More
College Pro Exterior Home Pain…
June 03, 2011
With better weather coming on and the advent of more sunny days throughout summer, many homeowners are wondering whether now would be a good time to consider painting or repainting their house. Read More
College Pro Alumni - James Sny…
May 26, 2011
James Snyder, current Director of Operations at PacNorthwest Drive Ins, worked for six years with College Pro, first as a franchise owner and then managing franchise owners. In the following letter, he reflects on his time with College Pro, what he learned and why College Pro is an ideal place for future business leaders to get their start. Read More
College Pro Painters Alumni In…
March 17, 2011
We recently caught up with Jim Mathewson, a former College Pro franchise manager, and now a National Account Manager over at AkzoNobel Canada, which is the largest global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals. Read More
Is there a Small Business Ghos…
December 29, 2010
As an SMB owner, the face of your business is the same one you see in the mirror every morning. Sure, you might be able to file a document and convince the IRS to tax you twice, but that doesn’t mean that your potential customers will accept a distinction between your private and public life. Read More
Hiring for your small business
December 22, 2010
When contemplating your approach to the hiring process, it is essential to emphasize the attributes and qualities that accompany successful individuals in the business world. Read More
How to use video for your busi…
December 21, 2010
Since its invention, film has been used as an effective way to reach and influence the masses as a form of advertising; the most common of these being television commercials. With time it has naturally evolved and adapted to function in the digital age we currently live in. Read More
College Pro’s top links of t…
December 17, 2010
According to a Facebook social graph, the world is lit up with Facebook relationships. See for yourself how Facebook makes the world a much smaller place… Read More
Startup financing - A tricky s…
December 16, 2010
What Business School forgets to teach us – Financing I just graduated business school at the Monfort College of Business in Northern Colorado and to graduate I had to write a thesis paper on why Entrepreneurship fails in the market. The top three reasons I found for failure in Entrepreneurs was: Read More
College Pro Interviews Kevin V…
December 16, 2010
One of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Entrepreneurs of 2010 tells College Pro his story on starting up. Read More
How are small businesses takin…
December 14, 2010
Is it feasible for small businesses to go “Green”? Read More
Entrepreneurs versus Inventors
December 09, 2010
While distinctly different in nature, entrepreneurs and inventors are invariably dependent upon one other. There cannot be one without the other. Read More
Tips for Motivating Staff
December 07, 2010
Your business might not have the funds yet to pull off what Google does for its employees and provide sports facilities and housing for everyone, but knowing how to motivate staff is essential to running any business effectively, no matter the size (or budget). Read More
Starting a business during a r…
December 02, 2010
It is no secret the U.S. economy is still not the most stable. With foreclosures, job loss, and an increase in crime, the U.S. is still feeling the effects of the 2009/2010 recession. Read More
What’s the deal with foursqu…
November 30, 2010
Foursquare is a mobile app with the purpose of letting your friends know where you are and who you’re with while encouraging you to explore your city through a points based game. The system utilizes “check-in” locations where you are awarded points and badges for venturing into new places or frequenting your favorite spots. Read More
Develop a Customer Service Man…
November 25, 2010
Never before in the history of business and marketing has customer service been at front and center as it is today. So much so that it is being transformed and reborn infront of our eyes as arguable one of the most mission critical components that can make or break a business. – Joseph Jaffe in Customer Service Manifesto Read More
Worlds colliding - Branding vs…
November 23, 2010
I work in the realm of brand and marketing and I have lived by my definitions of both. Brand is a world where promise must meet delivery, and where that delivery must then be measured. And marketing is the world where the acquisition, retention and management of a customer – over time – is the fundamental rule of law. Read More
Using your network to spread t…
November 19, 2010
The scope of small business marketing has changed dramatically in the last two decades. Where once there were newspaper ads, TV, and radio, now there are internet ads, Twitter, and Facebook. Read More
Revamp your marketing to pull …
November 18, 2010
Reaching Customers Digitally: Moving Your Business Forward Read More
Top SEO Tips for Your Blog
November 16, 2010
Quality search engine optimization (SEO) is essential to getting great traffic and staying power to your blog. Without it, your blogwill be nothing more than an empty writing space. Read More
Interview with Kimbal Musk: Fo…
November 15, 2010
Kimbal Musk (born September 20, 1972) is an entrepreneur who has helped found, advise and invest in several software and technology companies. Read More
Show Us Your Entrepreneur
November 10, 2010
Next month is the much anticipated Global Entrepreneurship week. A week dedicated to celebrating entreprepeurship across the world. Millions of young, ambitious entrepreneurs are coming together to generate new ideas and to seek better ways of doing things. This year College Pro is honoured to participate. Read More
Six Tips for Small Businesses …
November 04, 2010
It’s definitely an exciting moment when you decide to open and operate a small business. Nevertheless, it is important that you spend enough time doing your due diligence to understand your role as an owner of a company and how that affects other parties that will be involved in your business. Read More
Turn your idea into a business
October 26, 2010
So you’ve got a great idea for a business that you’re sure is going to be a huge success and make you millions. Or at the very least, give you control over your career and allow you to make a decent living. Read More
10 Advantages to Buying A Fran…
October 22, 2010
1. You are buying into an established brand name and company. Read More
Interview with Mark Graham - R…
October 20, 2010
1. So Mark, you were a manager while attending Queen’s University, what was your experience like? Read More
Why start a College Pro franch…
October 15, 2010
When I was 19 and in my first year university taking business, I didn’t even know what business really was. I had been working part time jobs for several years, but none that prepared me for a career in business. I saw a poster to be a franchisee for College Pro Painters. Read More
Using Entrepreneurship to Give Back
Posted On May 14, 2013
I am a College Pro Window Cleaning franchisee in Andover-Anoka, MN.
With the knowledge I've learned through College Pro and our Entrepreneurship class at the University of St. Thomas we started a business to help children with cancer. It is a one-for-one program selling hats. For every hat we sell, we give one to a child battling cancer.
To date, we have sold and donated over 1,200 hats across the United States.
If you've got the means, help us spread the word.
Check out our facebook www.facebook.com/LoveYourMelon and our website at www.loveyourmelon.com.
I used a lot of what I learned through College Pro to help start this business and it has thrived in the five months we have been operating so far.
Thank you,
Brian Keller
