MakeMySummer.com launched last year as a way for students from the UK to find jobs in American summer camps. I recently had the opportunity to ask the founded Jacqueline Cole some questions about her business.
What is MakeMySummer.com?
MakeMySummer.com is a website where students can gain information and inspiration about how they can spend their summer months proactively through meaningful work and travel. I like to think of it as a Virtual Recruitment Fair where employers can showcase their opportunities and students can browse their options.
There is increasing pressure on students to gain work experience and involve themselves in additional activities outside of their degree because academic achievement is no longer enough in the quest for graduate employment. The summer months provide an ideal time for proactive students to really make a difference to their chances of getting a job upon graduation.
I started MakeMySummer.com last year and have so far focussed entirely on summer camp opportunities which was the obvious starting point since I have worked in that industry for 10years including time as a freelance recruiter for the industry. In the last year I have received overwhelming support for my ideas from students and businesses within the summer work industry and I have developed a number of partnerships and opportunities. The challenge now is to convert these ideas into a profitable business.
Where’d the idea come from?
I was working as a freelance recruiter for summer camps and every day I came into contact with students saying the same things – how they knew they had to do something with the summer but didn’t know what to do or where to go for advice. Additionally within the summer camp industry there was a big shift towards social media for promotion and yet no one was seeing how social media could also benefit recruitment and training. MakeMySummer.com was therefore designed to meet the immediate needs of the summer camp industry but with the capacity to grow to encompass other opportunities such as travel, volunteer work etc.
How does the site make money?
With summer camps we earn $400 per person hired as a commission from the camp for finding their staff and preparing them for camp. Students pay their visa and flight costs. Additionally, I have recently formed partnerships with a number of key organizations who have granted permission to sell or advertise their products for a percentage of any sales made. This will provide secondary income. Future income for other types of work will depend on whether we offer it directly ourselves or through a third party.
You recently won a business opportunities grant from British Airways that gives you free travel for a year. What was that process like?
It was really easy to do. I am signed up to a funding newsletter and it had the grant advertised in it. I simply had to complete a web form with questions such as ‘how would your company benefit from free travel’ and ‘what are your objectives for this year’ and that was that! I submitted the form and thought nothing of it and then 3 months later I received an email saying I was selected as a winner. It is an amazing opportunity that I hope I don’t waste. Unfortunately just because I have the flights doesn’t mean I can afford the hotels and food…
You’re looking for additional funding? What would you do with more capital?
The concept of this website is broad and so the scope for development is huge. The problem I have right now is that I am trying to do everything myself and I physically cannot be everywhere and do everything all at once. I am looking to use investment money to set up a regional network of representatives who can promote and recruit students from Universities. I would also spend a proportion of money on the necessary web development to put in the affiliate marketing opportunities I outlined above and lastly I hope to utilize the free flights for brand awareness and development overseas.