Lauren Clarisey is a senior at the University of Dayton and CEO of Flyer Enterprises. FE is a student-run corporation at the University of Dayton which operates businesses ranging from coffee shops to an off-campus retail store.
What is your position at Flyer Enterprises? What does it require?
I am the Chief Executive Officer of Flyer Enterprises at the University of Dayton. My role is to oversee the management of our seven divisions and act as the primary representative and strategist for the organization. I also work closely with our Board of Directors which is made up of several members of the university administration. In addition to being a full-time student, I work between 25 and 35 hours a week.
What was the process for taking on such an important role? Do you enjoy it?
My decision to attend UD was heavily influenced by the opportunities provided by Flyer Enterprises; I knew that I wanted to move up to a management position as soon as possible in order to take full advantage of the experience.
I began working with Flyer Enterprises my freshman year making smoothies at The CHILL, a smoothie bar in the campus RecPlex. After managing The CHILL for one semester, I accepted the position of President of Retail. In this role, I worked to open FE’s newest and first off-campus venture, Flyer Spirit. Flyer Spirit is university retail store featuring apparel, gifts, and housewares for Dayton Flyers fans, students, and alumni; the store is a joint-venture with the UD Bookstore.
After getting Flyer Spirit off the ground, I was promoted to CEO. This decision was made by my predecessor and the Board of Directors. I shadowed and trained with the previous CEO for almost four months before his graduation. I love what I am doing and am incredibly grateful to be in this position.
Briefly tell us about Flyer Enterprises. Imagine you are talking to a student who has never heard of it but is eager to learn more. Can he or she get involved from any college/university?
In 1990, the University of Dayton became one of the first universities to have a student-run business, and Flyer Enterprises remain one of the largest in the nation, compared competitively with similar businesses at Harvard, Stanford, and Georgetown.
Flyer Enterprises is one of UD’s largest employers with approximately 190 undergraduate students, revenues of over $1.4 million a year, and five consecutive years of increasing profits.
Seven different businesses are operated by Flyer Enterprises, ranging from coffee shops to a full-service café to an off-campus retail store. UD undergrads fill the roles of sales associates, managers, and executives. Students really do make all decisions at every level and answer to a Board of Directors.
What is the reaction like from students and faculty at the University of Dayton? Do you receive positive or negative feedback?
Flyer Enterprises has come a long way in the past ten years and owes much of the success to the support and mentorship of UD’s professors and administration. FE is seen as an asset to UD’s School of Business Administration. The SBA has a strong entrepreneurial focus and encourages learning outside of the classroom. We are lucky to have the opportunity to benefit from the people and resources available at the University of Dayton.
Where did the name "Flyer Enterprises" originate from?
UD’s athletic teams, the Dayton Flyers are named for the city of Dayton, the “Birthplace of Aviation.” In 1990, when two separate student-run businesses, a convenience store and a coffee shop, were brought together, the newly formed corporation was dubbed “Flyer Enterprises.”
Does Flyer Enterprises partner with UD on projects or are the two completely separate?
Flyer Enterprises does partner with UD on some projects. One way students can get involved is by participating in the Flyer Enterprises’ Leadership Development Program. This is a course that allows staff employees to gain managerial experience while receiving one hour of academic credit from the School of Business Administration. The course is taught by FE executives with topics such as vision and strategy.
Flyer Enterprises has also partnered with several professors to act as subjects of various consulting projects. The class may be informed of a current challenge faced by FE and asked to present a proposed solution at the end of the semester.
Three of the divisions managed by Flyer Enterprises are joint-ventures with UD’s Dining Services. There is now one division that is a joint-venture with the UD Bookstore.
After graduation, do you plan to continue working within businesses or do you plan to take on a new interest?
After all I have learned within Flyer Enterprises, I absolutely want to continue working within the business field. I have had the opportunity to be exposed to a few different industries which has really helped broaden my options for post-graduation.
Where do you see Flyer Enterprises in the next five years?
Based on the progress that Flyer Enterprises has made in the past five years, I can only imagine where the company will be in 2013! By that time, I expect that Flyer Spirit will have a solid grasp on their target market and have reached a stable financial state. Depending on the success of this first off-campus venture, Flyer Enterprises may decide to continue in this direction and expand beyond the grounds of the UD grounds.
The University of Dayton also has big plans for expanding campus and Flyer Enterprises is expecting to grow with it. New divisions to serve the expanded campus will open as the buildings are developed.
As FE’s reputation on campus continues to be recognized, the caliber of employees who are recruited and hired will prove to be an extraordinary group of students.
I would like to see Flyer Enterprises continue to network with other student-run businesses and even host an annual seminar on UD’s campus to share knowledge and ideas.
Personally, how has your work with Flyer Enterprises helped you? Do you think all students should look for opportunities like it?
My experience with Flyer Enterprises has truly shaped me as a student, a leader, and a business woman. I have had incredible opportunities to be involved in “real life” business decisions as well as the privilege of working with a group of driven and talented individuals. The skills and confidence I have gained over the past four years could not have been developed any other way. I strongly encourage every student to take advantage of any opportunity like this. If a program is not already established, see what you can do to start – you will be amazed at what you are capable of!
Note: Lauren Clarisey will be working for Dunnhumby USA, an advertising and marketing company based in Cincinnati, Ohio, when she graduates May. Her successor, Jessi Neff, is the new Chief Executive Office of Flyer Enterprises at the University of Dayton.
