Between classes, studying for exams and extracurricular activities, not many students can fit in time for a part-time job, let alone the job of an entrepreneur.

But, Michael Young (freshman-business) started his own business, ServerSun Inc., when he was only 14 years old.

Q: What exactly do you do with ServerSun Inc.?

A: I can do two things: I can buy a dedicated server, where there is no physical interaction involved and it's already set up and in the data center, so all you have to do is configure the server to the new location.

The other thing is co-location. This is when you buy computer parts and set everything up yourself, and it's more physical. I'll buy parts of a really small computer and it's really fast. It's not anything a normal person would use. It's basically the PC power of 10 computers. I buy it, set it up, put on security features ... Then I send it away to the place where it's needed.

Also, another service lets me create a Web site for them. [A company] will give me a series of criteria that I will be able to incorporate.

Q: Where are these servers located?

A: One in Secaucus, N.J., a lot in Chicago. [Chicago] is a huge place for data centers because it's in the middle of the United States, and you're covering the best amount of area. Also, there's a whole bunch over in San Francisco. I only have one server internationally and that's in the Netherlands.

Q: What types of companies are interested in your business?

A: It's not massively large companies, but it's definitely a lot of law firms and doctor associations, dentistry, people just starting to sell something, like a fishing Web site. Virtually anything and everything, as long as the price is right.
Most of my money is from law firms. They pay 10 to 20 thousand dollars for a simple Web site.

Q: Do you manage ServerSun Inc. yourself?

A: As far as customer service is concerned, I usually deal with it myself. But, I have 20 or 30 servers and they need to be constantly checked, so I basically got online employees. I have this service that I purchased, and a whole bunch of people in India who are excellent with things like security issues have problems forwarded to them.

Q: Why did you decide to create your own business?

A: When I was about 13 or 14, I had this desire to make money and at that time, the youngest you could be was 15 to get a job.

I started with game programming and I made my first game, Silent Kill. With the game, I made a lot of money from advertisements and sponsorships, which is where I got the capital to make ServerSun.

Q: How much money do you make?

A: It's tricky. It's directly proportional to how much I put into the company. So, if I work really hard, I can make five to 10 thousand dollars a month.

When I first started out, I was losing money every month -- probably about $200 a month -- because whether or not people are using it, I had to pay for the server.

Q: Would you consider continuing it after college?

A: I might pursue it after college, but the only real downside of having this company is that you lose that interaction with people. The only interaction is phone calls and e-mails; I can't visit anyone personally. Also, a work schedule is really variable when you have your own business.

Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

A: I hear about all these great Web sites, like Napster, that were just started up in someone's dorm. Facebook, MySpace ... these are all just young people who created huge Web sites.
Web site creation is becoming a really interesting way to make money right now.

If you are also a student entrepreneur, e-mail Special Section editor Bridget Monaghan at bam5040@psu.edu.