By: Kayla Cowen
10/13/2005

Most people cringe at the thought of having to work for free, especially students attending a high-dollar private institution.

But for Daniel De Longe, working for next-to-nothing wages was his duty.

De Longe is a senior going for a degree in management information services and business administration. He, along with business partner Steven Anderson, started an information technology consulting firm in October 2002 after transferring to Kansas for college.

A Milwaukee native, De Longe chose Friends University primarily because a friend of his in high school was coming to the school. In addition, he was able to transfer from his job at Best Buy in Wisconsin to Wichita. 

“I also was set on attending a private university with a Christian background, and Friends had that,” De Longe said.

De Longe met Anderson while working at Best Buy. Both were supervisors and the youngest members in management at the time.

“We kind of connected through having that in common. We got to talking and decided we wanted out of Best Buy,” De Longe said.

Together De Longe and Anderson built TkFast. Anderson took on the role of president, and De Longe became the sales and marketing director.

“It was hard because we were both full-time students,” said De Longe

Their business provides other companies with individualized IT packages. Among some of the services provided by TkFast are computer and phone systems setup, network installation, Web and graphic design and customized video surveillance installation.

The work was demanding from the beginning. De Longe put in an average of 50 hours a week, and the workload hasn’t gotten any lighter.

“The last three years I was part of the executive council in SGA,” said De Longe, “but I had to drop that because I couldn’t commit myself any longer.”

Though no longer part of the Student Government Association, De Longe does participate in the Association for Information Technology Professionals, an organization that provides industry leadership and education in technology.

Along with the demanding hours, there was also the issue of low pay. It wasn’t until last year that De Longe and Anderson were able to pay themselves.

Now the company, which is a member of the Wichita Chamber of Commerce and the Young Entrepreneurs Association, is beginning to flourish. The company is not only local but nationwide, covering approximately seven states.

“We’re primarily a referral-based company,” said De Longe. “We do some radio ads and direct mail pieces, but most of our business comes from clients referring us to other businesses.”

When asked when he plans to graduate, De Longe said spring 2006.  Then he chuckled, “If all goes well.”