U. of I. student starts own summer painting enterprise

The weather's been warm, which means painting season is well under way. Park Ridge resident Matt Schipp, 19, is running his own painting business for the summer through the CollegeWorks Painting internship. "We don't work with a large number of clients. Our goal is not to get the biggest or the most money," said Schipp, who began promoting his business during spring break. "I'm really just concerned about running my own business with integrity, and this is my first business and it's the experience that matters." Schipp attends the University of Illinois majoring in aerospace engineering. "I manage my own marketing team to promote the business and also a production team," Schipp said. "So I have a painting crew that I manage and make sure they do quality work." He and his crew paint the exterior of homes and also are available to stain decks or fences. Most of Schipp's clients live in Park Ridge. "It's really great to be working in my hometown," he said. "I really like meeting clients in the area and just talking with them and having a good time." The internship interviewing process began in October 2008. "I took on this internship because I really wanted to boost my resume and stand out amongst my peers," Schipp said. "I knew it was going to be difficult to find a job so I went after any opportunity I had, and I am fortunate enough to be where I am today. "I went through a lot of intense management and paint training and I'm really excited to put my skills to use." CollegeWorks Painting is a nationwide internship that is offered in 16 states. "The whole intern program gives them real-world skills and opportunities," said Danielle Allison, CollegeWorks Painting resolutions and customer service department representative. "We teach them basically the whole basis on how to run their own company. They go through a lot of training. We set them up. They hire their own painting crews. "Some do go ahead and decide to participate in the painting, as well and be part of their own painting crew. Some decide to hire on painting crews that have eight to 10 years' experience. So they do all their own marketing." To contact Schipp call (847) 849-9703.