Second Oiler Enterprises Student-Run Business Coming Soon

Students at The University of Findlay will open a second student-run business, 3 C Computer Repairs this fall as an addition to the Oiler Enterprises program that began in the spring of 2011.

The 3 C Computer Repairs team of Alex Betts, Mitch Culbert and Lisa Geise, which is supervised by Paula Wolper, director of Oiler Enterprises, designed and presented a business plan to the Oiler Enterprises Board and Garner Endowment Advisory Board. Multiple teams presented business plans, and 3 C Computer Repairs received both approval and funding. The Rig, a restaurant, was approved last year as the first student-run business on campus.

The Dr. Vernon E. Garner Endowed Fund for Entrepreneurial Excellence was established in 2007 through a gift by one of the area’s most successful entrepreneurs, the late Dr. Vernon E. Garner, founder of the Garner Transportation Group. The fund allows students to compete for loans for start-up companies they create with faculty guidance.

3 C Computer Repairs will provide University students, faculty and staff, as well as the Findlay community, personal computer repair services. A 20-percent discount will be given to those with a valid UF I.D. Prices for the general public will be below current competitors’ pricing in the area. Unique from existing area computer repair services, 3 C Computer Repairs hopes to have the only certified Apple computer technician in a 30-mile radius, allowing Apple owners to have their computers serviced without voiding the manufacturer’s warranties. Additional repair services will include operating system and software installation and repair, virus clean-up, hard-drive wipes and minor hardware fixes.

3 C Computer Repairs became an business idea after Helen Schneider, professor of computer science, and Wolper recognized Culbert’s fundraiser idea titled “Geek Carwash” hosted by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) to help students with computer problems. From there, the 3 C team developed and then designed a business plan that was approved and granted funding. “The business plan was the biggest learning curve for me,” said Culbert. “It required a lot of effort to get it to where it is today, and it still is not finished completely.”
So far, 3 C Computer Repairs’ founders have received positive feedback from both faculty and students.

The team is in the process of constructing legal documentation for the business while renovating a work area to create a suitable space in which to conduct services. With high expectations, the young entrepreneurs leading 3 C Computer Repairs will soon order equipment and plan to hire additional student technician employees as the business grows.

Now, with students engaged in building and managing two student-run businesses on campus, Oiler Enterprises hopes to conduct a third business plan competition open to all majors this fall. The Oiler Enterprises Board and Garner Endowment Advisory Board are soliciting additional business ideas and services available to those on and off campus.

3 C Computer Repairs will be located in the UF Village at 424 Frazer St. and will open this fall. Hours of operations will be announced. Staff may be contacted at 3CRepairs@findlay.edu.
Students interested in learning more about starting a business may contact Paula Wolper at pwolper@findlay.edu or 419-434-4625.