Earning and learning: Staffer revitalizes print shop

For most UW students, ASM Student Print in Memorial Union is simply a routine destination for color printing, photocopies and course readers.

But for several student employees, the small office space also serves as a work setting in which they experience firsthand the challenges and rewards of running a small business.

“Usually we have pop music blaring out of the stereo,” says Student Print adviser Marti, referring to the musical preference of the quirky office, free of any Kinko-esque references and lined with bold colors and decorations chosen by student employees. “Music is a big part of working here that adds to the fun and relaxed atmosphere we’ve created.”

In her third year at Student Print, Marti, who legally dropped her last name several years ago, has helped transform a tired, traditional 30-year-old business into a vibrant and active learning organization. The dynamic adviser jokes with student employees and laughs about “rewarding good behavior” with bowling and dinners, but behind her relaxed demeanor is a strong-willed determination and desire to help the business and students succeed.

The current state of Student Print dispels any stereotypes of the “typical campus job,” although before Marti arrived, a position with the business was based purely on standard customer service work. The office, which now bears the artistic and creative influences of the students, was hands-off, and they were only able to make copies and work the counter.

“Students really didn’t know anything about what happened behind the scenes and didn’t know the numbers of the business,” Marti says. “I came in and made some changes to create an environment where students feel safe and are able to voice opinions about how the business should be run.”

Now, students learn how a small business operates and are involved in making key decisions. Of the 10 students who work at Student Print, none are business majors.

Marti’s non-traditional approach to running Student Print reflects her varied background, which includes career experience in banking, insurance, event management and small-business consulting.

“I really like small businesses, and the challenges of learning from mistakes and trying new things,” she says. “I’ve also always wanted to teach, but don’t see myself sitting in a classroom. This is a different way for me to be a teacher in a hands-on environment.”

A job at Student Print now involves thinking about the business from an insider’s point of view, including setting the budget, and making key marketing and operational decisions. The process of gaining the trust and confidence to make Student Print a student-run organization is ongoing, says Marti.

She approached her first year with a goal of building trust, evaluating students and needs, and making minor changes in how the business was run. The second year brought increased changes adapted to fit the students’ learning styles. “Because I had built trust and taken the time, they were much more willing to go on a bus ride with me than before,” says Marti.

The “bus ride” has been a journey of testing new approaches to running Student Print. The students meet annually to discuss and set goals for the business, which have included establishing a stronger presence on campus, breaking even financially, and maintaining trust, respect, honesty and open lines of communication among each other.

So far, results have included a net gain in 2001, the first in several years, as well as a growing new product line and set of services. The publication of lecture notes, which had long been the hallmark of Student Print since its inception, was dropped in favor of graphic and Web design, a move that proved successful in light of declining sales. Overall, total sales have increased by nearly 11 percent, and sales of course readers alone have risen nearly 35 percent. No new staff members have been added despite the increase in productivity, and the business has chosen to extend its services beyond campus to local nonprofits.

Marti says advising a student-run business can be challenging without a mentor or model that Student Print can follow.

“I don’t know of anyone else who is doing what I’m doing,” she says. “I always have lots of ideas. Having the right person to bounce those ideas off of, in terms of mentoring, is always one of the biggest challenges.”

Marti operates much of Student Print by simply seeing what works with the help and input of students. In addition to the technical aspects of the business, she emphasizes diversity, creativity and teamwork, maintaining a broader vision of what Student Print encompasses as a business and a learning environment.

With three years at Student Print, Marti is pleased with what she has helped the students accomplish, but her varied interests and desire to keep herself challenged will dictate where her career path takes her next.

“I would love to see another student-run business spin off of this one, or to see more student-run businesses on campus. That would keep me motivated and challenged and get me excited,” she says. “If things stay the same and we’re not going anywhere, then it’s time for me to go find something new — something new to create, change and lead.”