Meet the hustlers: Students who turn passion into profit
(Editor’s Note: In February, we began a weekly feature on social media highlighting Mercyhurst students with side hustles. Between lectures and late-night study sessions, these students are building brands, launching businesses, and chasing dreams. From broadcasting to sales, photography to fashion, their side hustles are more than just extra cash—they're a glimpse into the future of entrepreneurship. With its conclusion, we decided to consolidate all the stories in one place. Enjoy.)
Meet Tim Quinn: The Voice of the Lakers!
Mercyhurst senior Tim Quinn is studying Integrated Media and Strategic Communications, but you might know him as The Voice of the Lakers! Between classes, Tim has built an impressive side hustle as a sports broadcaster, play-by-play commentator, and public address announcer. As the studio director of Laker Student Media, host of Laker Talk on NEC Front Row, and creator of the Live Mic Pod w/ Tim Quinn, he’s not just calling games—he’s creating content and telling stories. His passion for broadcasting started with baseball, but it has evolved into a full-blown career path. With graduation on the horizon, Tim is ready to take his talents to the next level.
Meet Anna Grossner: Turning Style into Success
While balancing classes and assignments, Mercyhurst freshman Anna Grossner is turning her passion for fashion into a thriving online brand. An artist at heart, she has applied her designs to merchandise that includes clothing, candles, and stationery, bringing fresh, unique styles straight to the internet. Her journey began last year in high school, where she launched her own website and collection, proving that age is no barrier to chasing big dreams. Now, she’s using what she learns in her Mercyhurst Marketing class to grow her brand even further. Oh, and did we mention she’s also a Cyber Security major minoring in Arabic? Anna sums it up perfectly: “I have a lot of interests.” Check out Anna’s collection at mellow-lemon and support a young entrepreneur on the rise. She can also be found on Instagram at @mellowlem0n.
Meet Max Dillaman: Guy with a Green Thumb
Mercyhurst freshman Max Dillaman from nearby Meadville turned a pandemic curveball into a booming business before even stepping foot on campus. Back in high school, when Covid-19 flipped life upside down, Max got to work—literally. By day, he was mowing neighbors’ lawns, and by night, he was tackling online classes. With a sharp eye for opportunity and some serious hustle, Max grew his landscaping gig from just three lawns to a full-blown operation with over 30 customers. Now a finance major, Max isn’t just raking in the cash; he’s managing it like a pro—covering school expenses, saving for the future, and even dabbling in investments. The only thing he wishes he’d done differently? Investing in a snowplow. After all, with Erie’s winters, he’d have been rolling in even more green by now!
Meet Martina Ciafre: Capturing Moments, One Click at a Time
Since high school, Mercyhurst junior Martina Ciafre has viewed the world through a camera lens. What began as a hobby became a business after enthusiastic friends urged her to profit from her talent. Now, through word of mouth and her Instagram, @marties_photography, her side hustle thrives. From senior portraits and graduation photos to promotional shoots in her hometown of Latrobe, she’s done it all—self-taught through experience, online tutorials, and fellow photographers. At Mercyhurst, she photographs the club hockey team and takes photo assignments from the university’s Marketing department while pursuing an Intelligence Studies degree with minors in Cyber Security and Psychology of Crime & Justice. Though focused on intelligence, Martina’s true gift is capturing life’s most beautiful moments—one shutter click at a time.
Meet Evan Milletary: Up, Up, and Away
For most people, elevators are just a way to get from one floor to another. But for Mercyhurst junior Evan Milletary, they’re a source of endless intrigue. Whether it’s the ornate, vintage models in boutique hotels, the accordion-style doors in freight lifts, or the sleek, transparent designs in modern shopping malls, Evan finds beauty and innovation in the most unexpected places. Since the age of 10, Evan has ridden over 1,000 elevators, many of which the Communications major shares on his YouTube channel, Elevating Western PA. There, he showcases everything from classic bottom-drive traction models to subtle design elements like mood lighting. With his collection and passion continuing to grow, Evan is now considering turning his elevator obsession into a business venture. Stay tuned to see what’s UP next!
Meet Ryan Measer: Marching to His Own Beat—in Tech and Media
Sophomore Ryan Measer might not be one to toot his own horn—well, except as a trombone player in the Mercyhurst Marching Band—but his talents in photography and videography have earned him quite the fanbase. As a work-study for Marketing & Brand Management, Ryan is the go-to guy for capturing campus life, often zipping from event to event with his camera in tow. Beyond campus, his creative skills are in demand, with external gigs that have him turning passion into profit. He’s currently working on a promotional video for an Erie restaurant, adding exciting videography gigs to his growing resume. Surprisingly, this isn’t a sneak peek at his future career. Ryan is actually a Cyber Security major—proving he’s as sharp with a lens as he is with a firewall.