Students get creative to make extra money

As the economy continues to decline, some young Ohio State entrepreneurs are finding creative ways to stay financially afloat.

Kristiauna Mangum relies on her BlackBerry. It is what keeps her organized throughout the various projects she may have going on all at once. In addition to working as a manager at a local handbag store, Mangum, a junior in marketing, is a freelance make-up artist, usually booking young cheerleading squads and bodybuilders in preparation for competition.

Mangum's biggest project came over the summer when she booked an entire wedding party.

"I try to give good deals," Mangum said. "I understand not everyone can afford [high] prices."

Jamila Williams/The Lantern Kristiauna Magnum applies make-up on freshman Maggie Berry at a Mark. event.

"I have so many different things going on," Mangum said. "I work 80 hours a week and plan to start narrowing things down soon."

In the meantime, she takes night and online classes to squeeze school into her busy schedule. Mangum estimated she has 15 clients a month in her various businesses.

Though these could be considered "side hustles," much of what Mangum does is in preparation for the real world.

"I'm marketing myself right now - getting experience for the real world," Mangum said. "The transition into the real world will be easy since I've been doing it all along."

Mangum's sole purpose for her entrepreneurial forays is to pay off her student loans before she graduates.

"I used to splurge," Mangum said. "But now I'm saving to pay down debt on student loans. I want those gone before I get out of school."

For Lache Roach, who is at the start of her college career, the task of adjusting to college life has been somewhat of a challenge.

However, making money hasn't. Roach, a freshman in exploration, styles hair on the side to make extra cash, in addition to her campus job at Fresh Express.

On any given day, Roach can be found giving highlights, braids, sew-in weaves, relaxers or trims - all at a price lower than most local salons.

"It depends on what it is," Roach said. "But I usually charge between $10 and $20 just because I know we're all broke college students."

Most of Roach's main clientele has been roommates and suitemates as well as their friends. Though Roach is not pursuing a career in cosmetology, she says she is always looking for new clients.

"It's really just a hobby of mine that helps me save and set some money aside for a rainy day," Roach said.

Taking a more "American Idol"-esque road, Marlo Davis is using his singing talent to put extra money in his pocket. Davis, a junior in music enterprise, said he has been singing "all his life" and has dreams of making it big. Performing under the stage name "D'Mar," Davis has opened concerts for major recording artists such as Tyrese and J. Holiday, making a couple hundred dollars at the end of the night.

Recently signed to SoundForce Records in Columbus, Davis is waiting on his big break, but puts his education first.

"My contract has that I am a student first," Davis said. "With the way industry is these days nothing's guaranteed. I'm definitely going to finish school."

Davis continues to work on campus in Student Safety as well tutoring middle school kids - all while waiting for the day he becomes a major recording artist.

"I want to continue with music and hopefully go major," Davis said. "I want to make that deal and make big money."

Jamila Williams can be reached at willliams.2856@osu.edu.