They attend university and most hold part-time jobs. But that's just the start for about 50 members of what may be TRU's busiest club.

Students in Free Enterprise, in its sixth year on campus, assists city businesses and also works with people who are brain injured or have developmental disabilities. As well, the group competes each year in a national competition of business students.

One of its latest projects involves consulting with a local business that is on the verge of a major expansion.

"There are small businesses that can't afford professional consulting and can benefit from us," said Amy Berard, a second-year business student who is vice-president of programming for the association.

Recently it helped a DJ service become established, helping it through the basics of licensing, marketing and getting work.

Its major source of income is Thirsty Thursdays, a pub night. The club generates about $15,000 in revenue for a 25-week period. Students are involved in finance, human resources and marketing the event.

The consulting group of students, run by a project manager, is assisting Made with Love, a home-based business in Brocklehurst that produces hand-crafted, ready-to-eat meals using natural products.

"They've got incredible knowledge," said Alexandra Proctor, a partner with husband Colin in Made With Love.

"I feel so blessed to have these people work with us and help us grow."

The company also wants to obtain as many local products as possible and features no-waste recyclable packaging.

Like many entrepreneurs, Proctor is passionate about her work. The couple's goal is to make dried foods that can be quickly turned into delectable, and healthy, meals for busy people and families.

"A lot of entrepreneurs are not businesspeople," she said. "That's the case with Colin and me. We create incredible products and love putting it out to the community. But the business side is a challenge."

That's where the students comfortable with numbers come in. And the best part is the number they charge – zero.

Proctor said Made With Love (available locally at Cooper's Foods, downtown, Nutter's Bulk and Natural Foods and Smorgasbord) is moving to wholesale distribution this year.

"They were excited by our potential for growth."

All of the work by Students in Free Enterprise is done outside classroom time and is not for credit. A professor is a liaison and helps guide students.

Berard said TRU's team consistently places well in a national competition, including against high power universities like University of B.C. and McGill. The group is also recruiting students from other faculties, including social work and computer science.

Social work students are working on a new endeavour to help people at risk, including those with brain injury, of being ripped off. The fraud awareness program, working along Seasons Consulting, Kamloops Brain Injury Association and Community Living B.C., starts in the new year with personalized workshops.

The group has also worked with high school classes, teaching younger students basics of budgeting and the stock market. Berard said the project includes helping those students set budgets for when they attend university.

Berard said in the new year the club is looking at promoting a contest among high school students for the best entrepreneurial idea. The winner would be assisted by the Students in Free Enterprise to get the business off the ground.