Future business owners and leaders were recently introduced to the Tallahassee community in a 5×8 booklet, a student business directory formally titled “The Green Pages.”
“This is a very innovative idea,” said Scott Chapman, 22 a graduate business administration student from Chicago. “(The) Majority of college students use these services offered. (The Green Pages) is providing the greatest amount of services to the most amount of students off of one product.”
This project was put together by two Florida A&M University students, Mitchell Brooks and Jonathan Taylor. They took notice of the plethora of student business owners on the local campuses and in return, offered them a means of advertising. The founders realized the importance of networking and supporting future entrepreneurs while they are still in college, as both formerly owned a business themselves.
Matthew Ford, owner of Still Truly Fresh urban clothing company, is featured in the directory. He said he anticipates “The Green Pages” will boost awareness of his company.
“At the end of the day, I want people to see my drive and to see Still Truly Fresh to be successful,” Ford said.
The student business directory can be described as a miniature yellow pages that features local student-owned businesses.
Brooks and Taylor wanted their target markets to have a psychological connection with the title “The Green Pages.” Keeping this in mind, Brooks challenged consumers to “save a little green” by getting the services the directory has to offer.
Students are catching the buzz of “The Green Pages.”
“This is an excellent idea,” said Eunice Cofie, a FAMU graduate from Tallahassee. “I think it’s a excellent resource for business owners that are looking to support one another and a good tool to get the word out on other businesses.” Cofie heard about “The Green Pages” through The Famuan.
Brooks said the directory’s primary focus is to “inform college students on the services and products available to their income level, yet at a quality the same as major corporations.”
He and Taylor were able to connect more than 58 companies and four sponsors for this project. The products and services range from hair care, clothing and photography to disc jockey services, insurance and travel.
Over the last few weeks, “The Green Pages” street team has been distributing the directories all over local campuses, dormitories, apartment complexes, information depot locations, businesses and major hangout spots like barbershops and salons.
The Tallahassee community is becoming aware of the student-owned small businesses offered in “The Green Pages.”
“They have been extremely receptive,” Brooks said. He is able to measure the student awareness because numbers of the team’s peers are approaching them daily asking how they can contribute to the overall success of “The Green Pages.”
“The responses to the marketing reps have been tremendous,” Brooks said.
Students can expect the second edition of “The Green Pages” during the spring semester.