Student's cash-saving site up for national award
29 August 2008
A debt-busting website that shows students how to leave university with money in the bank gets Southampton Solent University graduate, Steve Burford, short listed for a national award.
The 24 year old media writing graduate has been short listed for the Real World's UK Entrepreneur of the Year Award with his money-making website wealthystudent.co.uk. Steve will travel to London on September 2 to present his business venture to three business experts who will announce the overall winner at an award ceremony on September 10.
Steve came up with the idea for the site after graduating this summer with savings in the bank! He said, "I wanted to share my experience with other students. With the right part-time job and a bit of savvy it is possible to leave University in a good financial state."
The money-saving website – which received more than 60,000 hits last month alone – offers cash-strapped students money-saving opportunities, ranging from burger and cinema vouchers to advice on where to bank their overdrafts, and the best places to find jobs.
Steve attributes part of the site's success to the free online version of his newly published book 'Defeat student Debt', which is available in hard back at amazon.co.uk for £7.99.
When speaking about the site Steve said, "It is imperative that students get off to the best possible start at university. The book and the site advise students on keeping outgoings low and increasing their income."
The creative student gained backing for the business from Southampton Solent University through the government funded Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in Education (SPEED) scheme, which offers entrepreneurial students business start-up training, mentoring and financial support while they are studying.
Steve said, "SPEED gave me the confidence to go into the business world. The money helped me do an Internet Marketing course which taught me a wealth of cutting edge technology and marketing tips."
The enterprising student is now in the process of recruiting local and national businesses to put vouchers and deals for students on the website- starting in Southampton and going nationwide next year.
Notes to editors:
For more information or to arrange an interview with Steve Burford contact Southampton Solent University's Press Office on 023 8031 9040.
Since starting up in the 2006 Southampton Solent University has signed up 65 students to the SPEED (Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in Education) scheme. Many are on the verge of developing sustainable businesses, with some already employing a workforce.