19-year-old Emma Alla from Bundaberg takes hard work all in her stride, running her own business, studying full time and working casually.

Since October 2007 Emma has operated her own transportation business EMS Transport after receiving a generous inheritance from her grandmother.

By student reporter Steven Lee

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The first, of perhaps a fleet, of trucks used by E.M.S Transport.

The transportation industry has long been in Emma's family history with both her parents and grandparents owning transportation businesses.

After her parents' company folded in September 2006 after 13 years, Emma was determined to carry on the family tradition using some of her inheritance to establish E.M.S Transport.

"When I got older I did admin work for my parents and I knew how much this business meant to them." Emma said.

Running a business in what is usually considered a ‘man's world' is just another exciting challenge for Emma.

"My family is filled with such strong female characters such as my mum and my nanna who gave me unlimited boundaries for what I could achieve," she said.

"While running the business can sometimes be really difficult there is always that support from my family."

For the past 9 months she has built up several contracts to deliver goods ranging from medical supplies to food hampers and has two employees, both of whom are much older than her.

Emma, looking after all the office work.

"I don't know if they are intimidated by that but it's a very light hearted environment and we all have fun." Emma said.

While Emma doesn't consider herself as the next Lindsay Fox or logistics mogul, she is very happy with the direction her business is taking.

"We are taking on even more contracts soon and will be requiring more staff so who knows what the future holds?" She said.

When Emma isn't over seeing the operations at E.M.S Transport she works as a supervisor at a downtown newsagency, a job she has held since high school.

"Supervising is the most stressful part of my career," she said "You get personality clashes with the other girls and there are always people who don't want to work."

Emma works up to 15 hours a week and most weekends, and uses the money she makes from here to cover her living expenses.

Keeping up with her studies, Emma can always be found in the multimedia labs

On top of everything, Emma still manages to find time to be a full time multimedia student at CQUniversity.

"I didn't want to give up uni when I started the business because I really enjoy it," she said "I find it really stressful sometimes, but I always knew that I made the right decision, plus I have met some great people at uni."

Enrolling in a multimedia degree at the start of 2007, Emma has aspirations to become a graphic designer. Rather than seeing university study as another obstacle in her already full daily schedule, Emma considers it to be more of a break from work.

"This is something that I have always wanted to do, so I don't see it as a chore," she said "I love the social aspect, too."

After almost a year of running E.M.S Transport, casual work and full time University study, Emma will be taking an extended break in the coming weeks to spend time with her family and friends in South Australia.

"I've been so busy as a uni student, worker and business lady I just want a bit of catch up time with myself and my family and friends."

While Generation Y has become infamous as being rude and lazy, Emma is living proof that hard work and determination still exists in young people today.