DATE: Monday, June 16, 1997                 TAG: 9706140560

SECTION: BUSINESS                PAGE: D1   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Q & A 

SOURCE: BY MELISSA GUNDEL, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   68 lines

COLLEGE TOURS GIVE COMPANY'S CLIENTS LOWDOWN ON HIGHER ED

Lisa Powell, 31, will not only further her education this summer as she works on her doctorate in urban services at Old Dominion University. She will also help others further their higher education goals. Her company, Powell American Education and Training Group, a Norfolk-based educational consulting company, will offer 12 college tours to 20 different colleges starting next week.

Why did you start this service?

I think there are a number of needs not just here in Hampton Roads, but across the country, in terms of planning for college. Primarily my goal is to start with middle schoolers and their families so they can take advantage of precollegiate programs and therefore be eligible for additional scholarships and other opportunities.

When do the tours start?

Our first tour is June 24 and 25. We're going to Howard University. We will stay overnight in the college dorm. We will also tour the main campus, the medical school and the hospital. We will go to Mary Washington College on the 25th.

How will the tours help a student prepare for college?

A lot of time people have preconceptions of what a school does or is about. They need to go and see for themselves. You see some of the other things that no one could have told you. For instance, if you visit the dormitory, the dorms might be too small, or the student might have to share a dorm, or they realize they have a community bathroom.

How much are your tours?

They range from $22.50 to $119, which is the overnight tour.

How much demand is there for this type of service?

This area is growing. In your larger cities farther north, people do hire private consultants to assist them in making sure their children have the best opportunities in terms of awareness of programs, scholarships and admissions, procedures. . .

Are there any higher educational services you don't offer?

I don't do any tutorial services or test preparation. I refer. But I make sure that they are aware of the importance of it.

What kinds of experience helped you with this?

Although I founded the company in April of 1996, I've been doing volunteer work for years. When I was pursuing my undergraduate degree, I would do talks and free lectures on higher education for various school groups and also do volunteer work with the military like the young NJROTC and the Air Force NJROTC. I also have a master of science in education from ODU and my leadership training comes from eight-year active duty with the Army.

What steps did you take to open the business?

I got how-to books from the Small Business Administration. I also talked to Warren Snyder, director of the Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads Inc. He gave me a copy of a model of a business plan and gave me advice about business. He said the needs are there for this type of business, but that I would have to move around the Eastern Seaboard to do my seminars.

What advice could you offer to someone starting a business?

You have to really love what you do. Also, take care of yourself physically. You have to have energy to do this. Being seen in the community is also very important. Also network with other professional organizations. MEMO: If you know of a company that would make an interesting

small-business profile, please fax your ideas to Melissa Gundel at

446-2531. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]

Lisa Powell

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