Here's something that will make you question everything you thought you knew about summer jobs: A 23-year-old college student just turned three months of house painting into a staggering $400,000 business empire.
Josiah Crosier, a University of Massachusetts student, didn't just earn pocket money this past summer – he orchestrated what many seasoned entrepreneurs struggle to achieve in years. Through the Student Painters initiative, this young visionary transformed a seasonal opportunity into a massive revenue-generating operation that would make Wall Street executives take notice.
But here's where it gets controversial: Should college students be running businesses worth nearly half a million dollars while their peers are flipping burgers or serving coffee?
Crosier's remarkable journey unfolded through Young Entrepreneurs Across America (YEAA), an organization that has been quietly revolutionizing how college students approach business education for nearly four decades. The Student Painters program doesn't just teach students to wield paintbrushes – it hands them the keys to genuine entrepreneurial empires, complete with team management, financial oversight, and strategic decision-making responsibilities.
"The experience felt like living through the longest and shortest summer simultaneously," Crosier reflected on his whirlwind journey. "Imagine compressing an entire year's worth of business challenges, victories, and learning curves into just 90 days. Every single day brought new obstacles to overcome and opportunities to seize."
And this is the part most people miss: Crosier's success wasn't a solo achievement. He emphasized that his team formed the foundation of everything he accomplished. "My crew became my lifeline," he explained. "Without their dedication and commitment, generating even $50,000 would have been impossible, let alone reaching $400,000. These individuals invested countless hours ensuring our job sites maintained professional standards, stayed focused on objectives, and embraced our shared vision for excellence."
Steve Acorn, who serves as CEO and Director of Expansion for YEAA, believes programs like this represent the future of business education. "What started as an ambitious experiment to bridge the gap between theoretical classroom knowledge and practical business ownership has evolved into something much more significant," Acorn stated. "Over the past four decades, we've witnessed students like Josiah graduate from our program equipped with the confidence and skills necessary to establish companies, guide teams, and drive innovation throughout their professional careers."
The Student Painters program stands as YEAA's crown jewel, representing nearly 40 years of commitment to transforming college students into capable entrepreneurs. Since launching in 1987, this initiative has mentored over 3,000 students across the nation, helping them convert academic theories into tangible business achievements and real-world success stories.
As YEAA celebrates its 40th anniversary milestone, the organization is highlighting exceptional student accomplishments like Crosier's to demonstrate the profound impact of their educational approach. These success stories serve as powerful testimonials to YEAA's core mission of cultivating the next generation of innovative business leaders.
Crosier's extraordinary achievement through Student Painters perfectly illustrates how YEAA's methodology successfully develops entrepreneurial capabilities among college students. The program's emphasis on experiential learning combined with comprehensive mentorship creates an environment where remarkable results become possible. The numbers speak volumes about the program's effectiveness: in 2025 alone, YEAA participants collectively generated millions of dollars in combined revenue, while individual students gained priceless hands-on experience and earned an impressive average of $18,000 throughout their summer involvement.
But here's what's really stirring up debate in academic circles: Are we creating a generation of student entrepreneurs who are skipping traditional career paths entirely? Some critics argue that programs like this might encourage students to abandon conventional education in favor of immediate business ventures.
What do you think? Is a 23-year-old running a $400,000 business inspiring proof that entrepreneurial education works, or does it represent a concerning shift away from traditional academic values? Should more universities be partnering with organizations like YEAA to offer real-world business experience, or are we pushing students into high-pressure situations they're not emotionally prepared to handle?
Share your thoughts – are programs like Student Painters the future of education, or are we setting unrealistic expectations for college students?
