Web business joins business board
By ERIN PIROUTEK
Dome Designs, a student-run Web design business, was approved last week as the newest member of the Student Business Board (SBB).
The board, which falls under the Financial Management Board of the Student Union, includes Irish Gardens, Adworks and ND Video. Membership guarantees office space and helps legitimize the group with potential clients.
Dome Designs began in the fall of 1997 as a project of the Notre Dame Council for International Business Development (NDCIBD) and received University approval in January 1998. With increased demand for its services, however, the previous arrangement between Dome Designs and the NDCIBD proved limiting.
"As we grew and started to get more projects, we knew we needed to expand," said Kevin Campbell, co-manager of Dome Designs. The NDCIBD and Dome Designs mutually agreed the Web design company would be more productive as a member of the SBB.
"Feasibly, more projects will open up because more people are comfortable with where we're at," Campbell said. "The Student Business Board watches our books, and that makes people more comfortable."
Marketing strategy
The biggest advantage of SBB membership is visible, centrally-located office space on the second floor of the LaFortune Student Center, Campbell said. The NDCIBD could not provide Dome Designs with office space.
Bryan Wetta, co-manager of Dome Designs, said his group offers advantages for student, faculty and staff groups that need Web page designs and updates. These advantages include flexible hours and competitive prices.
"Ultimately we really feel like we're filling a niche on campus," Wetta said. "We're partially subsidized by the University. We're professional, but at student prices."
The group has options for all budgets, including free services for worthy causes such as Bengal Bouts, its first project. Other clients include the Class of 1998, the University Committee on Cultural Diversity and the Laboratory for Social Research.
"They've been great," said Felicia LeClere, consultant for the Laboratory for Social Research. "Real prompt, real nice guys, very efficient."
LeClere said the laboratory chose Dome Designs for two reasons.
"First, I like to support student groups," said LeClere. "Second it was much less expensive than any off-campus group."
In addition to providing a necessary service to the campus, Campbell said Dome Designs experience proves valuable beyond Notre Dame.
"I don't necessarily expect to get involved in Web design, but it's been unbelievable experience in terms of management," he said. "It's good to learn the steps you have to go through to start a business … hiring people, doing payroll. That's experience you don't get in the classroom."
Dome Designs will soon hire additional students with Web design skills, Campbell said.
All News Stories for Friday, September 10, 1999
