Painting for Numbers
UC Santa Barbara sophomore Graham Updegrove plans to become rich by selling houses. For now, he'll just work on the outsides of them.
Updegrove was selected for College Works Painting's selective summer internship, which allows him to manage his own painting company in San Luis Obispo. In exchange for a portion of the business' profits, he receives training in sales, marketing, customer relations, interviewing and hiring, production and profit management, strategic planning, and more.
"It's been tough so far," said Updegrove. "Running each job and making sure it's done to satisfaction is hard. I'm really getting knowledgeable about running a company."
A San Luis Obispo native, the 19-year-old business/economics major commuted back and forth from Santa Barbara every weekend to prepare for the internship. He spent his first weeks booking painting appointments, going door-to-door to advertise, and interviewing employees, despite being hit by a debilitating flu. He expects to turn a profit by the next payroll.
"Money wasn't really an issue in doing this," said Updegrove. "It's a great experience."
Updegrove hopes to open another business next summer and is considering both car detailing and frozen yogurt. For more information about his College Works Painting enterprise, call 235-7878.
FAST FACTS
Have your plant and eat it, too, at the Cambria Nursery and Florist's free Medicinal Herbs and Edible Plants demonstration July 17. The class will be conducted by a research and field biologist and will discuss the medicinal properties and culinary options of common herbs and plants. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required; call 927-4747. ...
... July 17 will also see greenery of a different kind at the Seventh Annual Lola Eide Memorial Golf Classic. The event tees off at 9 a.m. at the Hunter Ranch Golf Course in Paso Robles and will feature a shotgun start, a best-ball scramble, and a luncheon at McPhee's. Prizes will be awarded in several contests, including 3-to-1 Odds Hole and Longest Drive for Male and Female. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of North SLO County. For more information, call 239-3659. ...
... ChildSpree, an annual event that provides local disadvantaged children with back-to-school supplies and clothing, is still seeking donations. The program, sponsored by United Way of San Luis Obispo County in partnership with Mervyn's, hopes to raise $20,000 to help 200 children and has raised $3,000 so far. The deadline for donations is July 31; for more information, call 541-1234. ...
... The San Luis Obispo City-County Library is preparing for its third annual Check it Out Library Awareness Campaign. The 13-week campaign, which begins in late July and concludes in October, will encourage wider appreciation and usage of city and county libraries. Advertisement will be used prominently for the first time, and radio and television spots with pro-library testimonials from community leaders and businesspeople will be aired on several stations. The Foundation for SLO County Public Libraries is currently seeking local businesses to act as sponsors and ad spokespeople for the campaign. For more information, call 781-5785. ...
... Cerro Caliente Cellars is celebrating the weekend early with special events every Friday evening. Live music and special wine tastings, including Merlot and Cabernet, will take place from 4-7 p.m. every week. Regular hours will be extended to 12-7 p.m. through July 30. For more information, call 544-2842.
Intern Stacey Anderson compiled this week's Strokes and Plugs. E-mail suggestions to ahy att@newtimesslo.com.
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