Entrepreneur Specializing in Internships Shares 5 Benefits

These days, it seems as though Americans are spending more for college while getting less value in return - a trend research validates, says entrepreneur Matt Stewart.

"The average cost for an in-state public college is $22,261, and a moderate budget for a private college averaged $43,289 for the 2012-2013 academic year; for elite schools, we're talking about three times the cost of your local state school," says Stewart, a spokesperson for College Works Painting, (www.collegeworks.com), which provides practical and life-changing business experience for college students who have shown potential for success. Interns operate their own house-painting business with hands-on guidance from mentors.

Making matters worse, adults in their 30s have 21 percent less net worth than 30-somethings 30 years ago, according to a new Urban Institute report.

"More students are being saddled with long-term debt while getting less value for their education," Stewart says. "Because of the difficulty recent college grads are having finding jobs in today's tough economy; today's students may have even less worth in their 30s than 30-somethings today."

To add value to their professional career, Stewart encourages students to seek outside-the-box avenues for increasing their career stock while in college. Running a business is a great way to do that; he explains why.

• Employers love ambition. A college degree is the minimum qualification employers are seeking. What hiring managers are looking for is that something extra when reviewing a stack of qualified resumes. At the heart of the economy is innovation; it's the difference between simply existing in a market, and thriving in one. Employers know they need people with creativity and gumption for innovation.

• Real-world management of time and money. College is a time when young adults learn to live autonomously. It's the rare student, however, who learns to manage his or her own affairs and the most precious resources in the business world - time and money. Managing employees, driving sales, developing specific skills for a real market and building strong customer relationships are best learned with hands-on experience.

• Learn where they need help. What do you do well and where do you need help? The best way to know with any certainty is through experience. Running a business while attending college allows students to circle back to their education and focus on their trouble areas by adjusting their curriculum in future semester. 

• Develop meaningful bonds. One of the most meaningful aspects of the college experience is the relationships students develop with each other, which often have professional consequences after college. Enlisting the help of fellow students for a common business purpose tends to have a powerful bonding effect.

• Immediate ROI - finding phenomenal success. Most students who run a business during college will not prove to be the next Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerburg or David Geffen, which is precisely why students should not drop out of college like those pioneers did. However, a student doesn't have to be the next Zuckerburg to experience amazing success as an entrepreneur. College Hunks Moving Junk is just one recent example that began in an entrepreneurial student mind.

About Matt Stewart

Matt Stewart co-founded National Services Group, which operates College Works Painting, SMJJ Investments and Empire Community Construction. Under the executive team's leadership, NSG has grown from a small Southern California business into a national leader in two industries and has been recognized as an entrepreneurial leader by Ernst & Young, the Orange County Business Journal, Inc., Entrepreneur and hundreds of other periodicals. Stewart has received a several awards, including the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award from the Orange County Business Journal; was named "40 under 40;" and he has twice been a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year Award.

-Fabulous @ 40-

MOLINE, Illinois, Feb 27, 2014 - South Park Mall is not only celebrating 40 years, it is solidifying its commitment and reinvestment into the future of the center. This key milestone is the perfect segway to not only celebrate the past but to prepare for the future enhancements for the residents in the Quad City area.

SouthPark Mall officially opened on February 27, 1974. SouthPark Mall was home to three anchors; Montgomery Ward, Petersen Harned Von Maur, and Younkers and over 65 additional retailers and restaurants. SouthPark has been expanded twice: JCPenney was added in 1978, while Sears and a food court were added in 1990. Over the years, SouthPark Mall has provided thousands of jobs to local employees, new products to the increasing shopper base and a convenient place where families could get all their shopping completed in one stop.

Today SouthPark Mall is home to over one million square feet of shopping, dining and entertainment and employs hundreds of Moline-area residents. The center is anchored by JCPenney, Von Maur, Younkers and Dillard's and offers guests over 100 retailers. Since the mall opened the community has been an integral part to the success of the shopping center and that holds true today.

The future is bright for SouthPark Mall. Recently the property shared reinvestment plans that include the removal of the food court as well as the former Sears department store. Construction is set to start in April with a formal grand opening set for November.

"We are committed to the future of South Park," said Kathy Jurgens, Property Manager, SouthPark Mall. "A fresh look, new concepts and enhanced amenities are all part of the plan to build a better shopping experience."

The community is invited to celebrate the mall's 40th anniversary with a formal ribbon-cutting that will take place on March 6, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., refreshments will be provided inside Younkers Court. Local city officials, including the Chamber of Commerce will be attending. Included in this ribbon-cutting, SouthPark representatives will display renderings of the proposed redevelopment and ask for public support of the project.

This project entails collaboration with the City of Moline and IDOT for an access ramp off of John Deere Expressway along with two new exterior entrances, plus a full scale pylon signage platform. Renewed national retailer commitment includes brand-new prototype designs of Claire's, Christopher & Banks, Spencer's Gifts, MasterCuts, Journey's, Sprint, Payless, Lenscrafters, Dairy Queen, Bath & Body Works and Shoe Dept Encore.

"This is extremely positive for SouthPark as it shows continued national retailer commitment to the center. There have been eleven remodels to date and many of these have long term commitments to SouthPark," said Aleshia Chiesa, Marketing Manager, SouthPark Mall. "SouthPark is a staple of the community and we expect to keep it an invigorating shopping experience for everyone."

For a complete listing of family-friendly activities at SouthPark Mall, visit www.shopsouthparkmall-il.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter to receive the most up-to-date information.

Macerich is a fully integrated self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust, which focuses on the acquisition, leasing, management, development and redevelopment of regional malls throughout the United States. Additional information about Macerich can be obtained from the Company's website at www.macerich.com.

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GALENA, Ill. - Tickets are available online now, and selling quickly, for Galena's extremely popular Grand Tastings during Galena Wine Lovers' Weekend. This year's event is slated for March 28-30, with Grand Tastings being offered on Friday, March 28 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 29 from 3:30-6:00 p.m. at the Galena Convention Center, 900 Galena Square Dr., in Galena, Illinois. Make sure to purchase your tickets soon as Saturday's Grand Tasting event has already sold out.

"This year's Grand Tasting promises to be even more fun-filled, with dozens of new wines open to taste! From Albarino to Zinfandel, this tasting has it all," said event sponsor Tim Althaus, owner, Family Beer & Liquor. "We do highly recommend early purchase for Grand Tasting tickets as we have sold out quickly in past years."

After selling out three weeks before the event in 2009, the committee expanded to offering two Grand Tastings, both of which have also sold out in the past three years. Tickets are $35 in advance and may be purchased online at www.wineloversweekend.com.

Why are the Grand Tastings so popular? They provide epicureans of all levels the opportunity to choose from more than 300 varieties of hand-picked wines and spirits to sample. Admission also provides you with a keepsake wine glass and an opportunity to win a wine-themed trip to San Francisco (including round trip airfare for two through American Airlines in the continental 48 states). Additional trip chances may be purchased for $15 each. The wine silent auction includes items such as vintage wines, artwork, large format wine bottles and related items of interest.

Now in its ninth year running, Galena Wine Lovers' Weekend is a community-wide celebration of good wine, good food and good friends. Wine lovers of all sorts are invited to enjoy three event-filled days of fine wine, culinary delight, celebrity chefs, wine makers, pampering packages and all of the stops Galena can possibly pull out.

Galena Wine Lovers' Weekend is a spirited way to warm the winter and add romance whether it is for vino, gourmet cuisine or the love for a town with history and charm all of its own. Wine-inspired dinners, spirit tastings, spa experiences, history tours, cooking demonstrations and shopping welcome and enchant visitors.

Lodging specials and package deals fuel the passion. From dining packages to pampering in luxurious accommodations and the warmest of hospitality, Galena's finest provide a variety of options to cater to every taste and budget. Visit www.wineloversweekend.com for a detailed listing of extended-weekend activities, links to lodging, and an opportunity to purchase tickets online. For information about room availability, shopping, dining, attractions, events and more, please go to galena.org, the Web site of the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, or call toll-free 877.464.2536.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/27/2014)(readMedia)-- Lt. Col. Tim W. Franklin of Springfield, Ill., is hanging up his uniform after more than 33 years of military service. Franklin has served as the full-time program coordinator for the Illinois Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) since 2006 and will continue to serve as the training director for the Illinois ESGR as a volunteer.

"I believe in what ESGR does for the members of the National Guard and Reserve, their employers and families, so I look forward to continuing with the organization as a volunteer," said Franklin.

Franklin began his military career as a photography specialist when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was assigned to the 62nd Tactical Reconaisance Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. He received his commission in the Air Force in 1985 through Officer Training School.

"It wasn't always easy having him away as part of his service in the Guard, but it's made me very proud to have a father in the military, and has given me an even greater respect for other men and women who serve," said Amy Franklin, the oldest of the Franklin children.

Franklin served as a member of the Oregon Air National Guard and also in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, first in the Field Artillery and then with the 129th Public Affairs Detachment. Since 1998, he has served as a member of the Illinois Army National Guard.

"When my wife and I first met, we were both members of the Air Force, so she already knew about military service and how demanding it can be at times. I have had to miss my share of birthdays, holidays and other family events over the years," said Franklin. "However, like all of us who serve in uniform, I try my best to keep that balance between military service and family life. Sometimes I've been more successful at it than other times during the course of my career, depending on what the military demands were at the time."

Franklin deployed twice during his National Guard career, including Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo from 1997 to 1998 and Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan with Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VIII as the task force public affairs officer from 2008 to 2009.

"Lieutenant Colonel Franklin was good to his Soldiers. He shared their concerns and listened to their problems, helping in any way he could," said Nathan Hastings, a former public affairs sergeant with the Illinois Army National Guard who deployed to Afghanistan with Franklin as a broadcast journalist.

"I always felt like he watched over our group in Afghanistan as if we were his own children," said Hastings.

Franklin said the National Guard has opened up a lot of opportunities that he may not have had as a civilian.

"The best part of serving has to be the people you serve with and the unique opportunities and experiences the military and the Guard offers," said Franklin. "I have had a great career and have met and served with some incredible people, both as an enlisted member and as an officer. I have made many lifelong friendships with those I have served with in the Guard. I am sure this is true of other professions, but I think it is especially true among the military and the Guard. During my time in the military, I have been to countries on every continent except Africa and Antarctica. I think those types of opportunities give Guardsmen a world perspective that many of our citizens don't have."

Franklin was part of the largest overseas deployment of Illinois Army National Guard troops in 2008, when the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Urbana, Ill., deployed to Afghanistan. Nearly 3,000 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers augmented Task Force Phoenix VIII.

"It was an honor to have Tim Franklin as a part of Task Force Phoenix VIII," said retired Brig. Gen. Steven P. Huber of Byron, Ill., the combined joint task force commander for Task Force Phoenix VIII. "He played an integral part of my command. He was one whom I could always rely upon to keep me on message and it was fun doing videos with him for those back home. He is a team player and I am glad to call him a friend."

Franklin said he didn't really have any profound advice, but stated that if you are joining the military for rank, awards and recognition, you are in it for the wrong reasons. Those things will come to you if you are in it for the right reasons.

Erin Franklin, the younger of the two Franklin children gave some indication as to where you may find the retired Franklin.

"When the weather is nice my dad likes to sit out on the porch, watching the birds eat from his feeder, a cigar in one hand, a home-brewed beer by his side, and listening to music like Bob Marley or the Beatles or some jazz," she said.