Steve Acorn

CEO/Director of Expansion

 

In 1985 I started with the company as a Branch Manager in Sarnia, Ontario. As President of the company since 1985, I have had the wonderful opportunity of working with students from all over the United States. Being able to mentor and guide them in finding their true potential as young business men and women is extremely rewarding. This is an outstanding opportunity for the right person. If you have heart, desire, and a hard work ethic, it is amazing what can be achieved. It is very exciting to watch the growth of the student managers throughout their career with Student Painters. Each Manager can tell an incredible story to any full time employer once they have completed their journey with Student Painters. A story that will definitely set them apart from their peers. When they graduate and go out in the real world, I look forward to finding out what career path they have chosen and how being a part of Student Painters helped them achieve their goals.

Josh Drushel

Vice President - Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Indiana Divisions

 

My journey with Student Painters began back as a Junior at The Ohio State University as a Branch Manager.  In my first summer with the company I was given the incredible opportunity to run and oversee a $77,000 business.  Although I initially saw Student Painters as a one-year opportunity that I would move on from, that changed pretty quickly.  Ultimately, it ignited a passion in me to help other students realize their true potential all while helping them develop their leadership skills.  I have found a career path here that helps me change young students lives, develop them professionally, as well as earn great income to pay for school.  My greatest satisfaction comes from receiving the phone call from a past manager that our experience and recommendation letter helped them land the job of their dreams upon graduation!  It is great to be a part of the Student Painter family!

Aaron Acorn

Vice President - Michigan, New England and Indiana Divisions

 

Student Painters has given me real world business skills that cannot be fulfilled in any class on a college campus. I have developed skills in management, marketing, sales, and also buliding customer relationships. I love the Student Painters system: I am free to manage my time how I please and what I put into my business is what I get out of it. During my second summer, I made over $18,000 and my entire team was responsible for more than $165,000 in revenue!

Ryan Shepherd

General Manager - Ohio/Kentucky Division

 

As a sophomore in college I began my journey with Young Entrepreneurs Across America as a branch manager.  I was given the opportunity to run my own business for my first, real life work experience where the “buck” stopped with me. I love this company because of the experience it provides to college students, the growth opportunity, and the Work Hard, Play Hard culture. The set of skills that branch managers are able to take away is something that is unique to this internship with YEAA.  The program taught me things both as a manager and mentor that cannot be learned in a classroom without getting out and gaining real-world experience. Having the opportunity to work with driven college students and seeing them being successful is one of the most awarding experiences I could ever have.  I am excited to continue my role as the general manager of the Ohio/Kentucky Division and helping other college students attain the same success I’ve had. 

Mat Harvey

General Manager - Ohio/Kentucky Division

 

My name is Mat Harvey, 2016 graduate of Miami University, and I am a General Manager of the Ohio division. I was an intern with the program for two years prior to leaving to work at ALDI as a District Manager. My first year with Young Entrepreneurs I ran a $60,000 business and made $6k in Galloway, OH while my second year I oversaw $252,000 in revenue and made $30k. After realizing what I wasn't getting out of my full-time job with ALDI, I came back to Young Entrepreneurs Across America to join full time because of the passion I have for mentorship and running my own business. This business isn't for everyone, but for those crazy enough to believe it is, it is a life-changing opportunity.

 

Austin Lesak

General Manager - Pennsylvania/West Virginia Division

 

My 4th year in college is when I started my journey with Student Painters. Given the opportunity to run my own business at only 22 years old was a great experience. I ran about a $71,000 business my first year while making about 10K in Streetsboro Ohio. Coming back my second year with the company I oversaw a $287,000 company and made about 30k. I love this company so much. I have learned so much and am very excited to continue my role as a general manger for the Ohio and Pennsylvania division. I love how this program has changed so many young college students lives and that is the main reason for me to continue working for this company for a very long time.

Evan Rinehart

General Manager - Indiana Division

 

I started the YEAA internship my sophomore year at the University of Cincinnati and fell in love with it. My favorite part about this internship is that there is no ceiling. You can accomplish any goal you set to accomplish with the right amount of effort and time. Over the past three years, I oversaw over $1 million in the central Ohio area and have grown immensely. After graduating for UC, I decided to join YEAA full time because I wanted to give more students the same life changing experience I went through.

 

Our Team

Meet the Executive Team

Meet the Office Staff

Sara Acorn

Office Controller

 

I am responsible for Financial Reports, Financial Systems, training and maintaining all Divisions Office Managers and support staff, and Event planning including the annual tropical awards banquet/trip. I started at Student Painters while attending Oakland University. I feel very fortunate to have been part of the Student Painter business since 1993. The most gratifying part of the business is seeing the next generation of managers come through. These young Entrepreneurs are very motivating, and make this company new and dynamic each year.

 

Natalie Balsamo

Office Manager

 

I started working for Student Painters in May of 2009. I was a full time college student looking for work while I was home for the summer. Upon graduating from Michigan State University, I chose to join the Student Painters Team full time. In the past five years I have been continuously moving forward and have been rewarded for my hard work and dedication, allowing me to be given this remarkable opportunity. I am now a part of the YEAA/Student Painters team as the Office Manager, along with the Recruitment and University Relationship Manager and Senior Payroll Manager. It is exciting to see how much the company has grown and continues to grow since I first started with Student Painters. Having this job with such substantial responsibilities has led me to be very proficient in many different areas allowing me to help not only myself, but the company to grow year to year.

 

Rachel Paone

Administrative Specialist

 

Throughout my history with Student Painters/YEAA, I have grown so much as a business woman and person. I have built great relationships and led a group of peers to do astonishing things. The amount of growth a student can go through in a short amount of time with this program is remarkable. It changes how you think, speak and act. It has opened my eyes to the lifestyle as an entrepreneur. I wont go back. I highly recommend this company to anyone who is willing to take on the challenge and develop themselves past their peers.

 

Victoria Meagher

Assistant Office Manager

 

I started working for Student Painters in the summer of 2016 as an administrative assistant,  I am now a part of their full-year staff as a Payroll Manager and have learned so much.  This company has helped me grow as an individual giving me opportunities I could never imagine. I'm excited to see what this coming year has to offer me and everything that I will learn. I am beyond grateful of the opportunities this company and my Student Painters family has given me.

 

Alyssa Capling

Senior Administrative Assistant

 

I started working for Student Painters in the Recruiting Department during the Fall of 2014. I enjoyed that so much I decided I would continue my journey with the company throughout the summer and years to come. I am currently attending Central Michigan University where I hope to start a career as a special education teacher for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Student Painters has taught me many skills that I will continue to use in the future. I have enjoyed my time so far with this company and can’t wait to see what other great things this opportunity has to offer. 

 

Hannah McKenzie

Receptionist

 

I began working for Student Painters in the spring of 2018 as a receptionist. I currently attend Western Michigan University with the goal of pursuing a business management degree. This company has offered me so many opportunities and valuable lessons that I will use in the future. Student Painters encourages everyone to look at things from a different perspective and always in a positive way. I am excited to see where this position takes me and I look forward to seeing what this year has in store for the company.

 

Juliana Aiuto

Assistant Office Manager

I was hired by Young Entrepreneurs in the Spring of 2019 as a Junior Payroll Intern. Throughout the summer, I was able to learn so much about the company and loved it! After graduating from Oakland University with a degree in General Management and Human Resources, I was offered a full time position to continue growing with the company. I was so fortunate to find such an amazing job after graduation doing work that I enjoy. I look forward to seeing our company's continuous growth and where it takes me.

Matthew Amheiser

General Manager - Indiana Division

 

During my Junior year at The Ohio State University I started my journey with Young Entrepreneurs Across America, I was looking for a company to intern with that would offer the greatest growth and challenge me! I was given an opportunity and I took it, learned and incredible amount my first year and my second year I oversaw over $150,000 in revenue and learned even more. This internship has undoubtedly changed my life and I would encourage anyone looking to improve themselves and see what they are capable of to take on this challenge of running their own small business. I’m excited to take on my new role this year as General Manager of our Indiana/Illinois division, can’t wait to see what challenges await me and to help new interns learn and grow through their own challenges.

 

Carly Jacobs

Receptionist

 

I began working for student painters in the Winter of 2020 as a receptionist. I currently attend Eisenhower High School and will be attending Grand Valley State University starting in August of this year. I hope to gain experience and learn lessons for my future through this company as I am seeking a major in Finance and a minor in IT. I am thankful for my opportunity to succeed this summer and can’t wait to see where these connections take me.