Students help other students save
In spring 2009, Ben Comer (’11), a communication major from New Jersey, and Brett Apter (’10), a psychology major from Florida, dreamed up a new business venture as part of the University’s burgeoning entrepreneurship program. Their brainchild was mySavu, a website that facilitates connections between college students and the community, providing a listing of local businesses that offer discounts to Wake Forest students.
We spoke with Ben in August 2010 to talk about the progress of mySavu and what Wake Forest parents and students should know.
What is mySavu and how does it work?
mySavu is a website that advertises Winston-Salem businesses and services to Wake Forest students. It is essentially a collegiate version of the Yellow Pages that provides free discounts for our students. They simply show their Wake Forest student ID card at the point of purchase to receive these discounts, which typically range from 10-15%. In addition to free discounts, our service also provides directions, descriptions, menus, and reviews for these local businesses.
What types of local businesses participate in mySavu?
We have restaurants, boutiques and clothiers, salons, florists, jewelers, doctors, attorneys, mechanics, and more. The mySavu website has a full listing of participating businesses. We’re especially excited that we have a new partnership with a Wake Forest staff member, Gloria Stickney of Sew Fabulous Quilts, who makes handmade Wake Forest quilts and other items.
Can parents access mySavu discounts?
Yes, absolutely. Parents benefit from this service when visiting Wake Forest because the Quality Inn, Hawthorne Inn, Wingate Inn, and various restaurants provide valuable discounts through mySavu. Most of these hotels offer a special rate for Family Weekend, so please ask for the mySavu discount when making your reservation.
How can students tap into mySavu discounts?
Parents, encourage your students to sign-up for the mySavu e-mail list when they arrive at Wake Forest. The easiest way for them to sign-up is by visiting the website (www.mysavu.com) once the school year begins. Your students can also sign-up at the Taste of Winston-Salem event during orientation, as the mySavu team will distribute free promotional products during this event. For those who miss this event, the mySavu team will also distribute its products during a freshmen “dorm storm” the next night. Through this e-mail list, your students will also have the opportunity to win free prizes and free gift cards/certificates from mySavu businesses throughout the year.
What if a student is interested in working with you?
mySavu offers internship opportunities that we want students to know about. Students minoring in Entrepreneurship and/or majoring in Business have earned 3-6 hours of academic credit by interning with mySavu. We hire student interns as paid sales representatives during the summer, with part-time positions available during the school year. It’s never too early for students to prepare for their future. For more information about these programs, direct them to visit our internship website at www.mysavuinc.com or contact me by email at ben@mysavu.com.
Anything else parents should know?
Just that the mySavu team looks forward to serving parents and students in the coming years. On behalf of my partner Brett, I welcome your family to Wake Forest and I wish your son or daughter all the best as the newest member of the Demon Deacon family. Go Deacs!
Categories: Community Impact, Experiential Learning
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