What are the names of your companies? What is your position within each?
I currently operate two active companies: Campus Destinations, Inc. and Beer Universe, LLC. I am the Chief Executive Officer for both companies. Campus Destinations has 34 employees and Beer Universe has 7 employees.
In the past, I also started Emerald Art Designs, which was a web consultancy firm which I operated from 1998 - 2007. I have had numerous clients during my tenure there, where I was a Managing Partner and the Chief Executive Officer. When I was in college, I also aided in the development of Rival Magazine, where I was their online editor and webmaster.
What services does each of your companies provide?
Campus Destinations is the premier mapping and informational services company for college campuses. The mission of Campus Destinations is to save students time and money by creating an interactive portal. Money is limited to college students and Campus Destinations aids students in making the most out of it. Our slogan is: "Know where you are and where you are going..."
Beer Universe will launch in Spring 2008. Beer Universe is a website which seeks to provide a consolidated-online platform for users to actively contribute about beers, breweries and bars. Beer Universe also provides an interactive platform for all beer accessories. Our slogan is: "Your Choice. Your Beer. Drink Up."
Which one did you start first? What was your inspiration?
I started my first company in 1998, when I was 14 years old. I was very interested in the entire Internet revolution and at the time even a 14 year old could make some serious money. I found a lot of arbitrage opportunities and it propelled me to major in Economics & Computer Science when I was at Duke.
As I became interested in business, the strategy and the opportunity to create something new became very appealing. I began to see new ideas and developed ways of how to put them into action. I started writing business plans and sought out advisory from professors, experienced professionals, family and friends. Learning something new every day, working with intelligent individuals and being part of a potentially revolutionary company is truly rewarding.
What inspired you to start the other companies?
Campus Destinations was truly my first company. Through the process of developing Campus Destinations, I learned a lot about incorporations, business structure, management and overall administration. Originally, I started the company to cash in on
the revival of the Internet revolution (ultimately, the rebuilding after the bubble burst). However, as we progressed further, I began to see a revolutionary product which I could bring to the market and aid my fellow students. After graduation, the company has only grown exponentially and become even more helpful to students around the country.
Beer Universe was an idea I had my senior year, discussing beer options with my roommates. While our drinking habits were changing as we became older, there was no consolidated platform that allowed us to search for new craft beers. Moreover, there was no online source for us to develop our knowledge. After my experience with Campus Destinations, I knew I could start a successful second company and not experience the same hiccups. Hopefully, when we launch in the coming months, my prediction will be true.
Are you focused on one company more than the other? How do manage running them successfully?
Campus Destinations is a much more mature company than Beer Universe. As we expand, more time is required for the larger company, but I still run Beer Universe with the same dedication. I have two great individuals helping to run the companies: Seth Warner for Campus Destinations and Heath Gray for Beer Universe. They make my job a lot easier and it has been a pleasure growing each company with them.
In general, how do you get the word out about your services?
We have utilized traditional advertising techniques - flyers on campus, production of marketing / promotional materials, newspapers and online advertising to market to our niche audience.
We also rely on the constant dedication of our employees to spread our company's mission through word of mouth, in which they have been doing an excellent job. We have press kits / media kits available for each company as well.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Do you plan to expand?
In five years, I do hope to return to business school and to have graduated, but also to have developed sustainable, profitable corporations. Campus Destinations will be expanding to as many universities as possible and our databases will be used to help visitors, alumni, faculty and students around the country.
Beer Universe has no current expansion plans into other markets, but we will be a force to reckon with :-).
Do you have peers who are also entrepreneurs? How important is it to start while you're young?
I believe all the individuals who work for my companies are entrepreneurs. They are extremely dedicated, hard-working and most of all passionate about what they do. They believe in an idea and want to make it a reality.
I also utilize my network to meet other entrepreneurs around the country and discuss business solutions. Because we are all doing similar things, we have a great amount of respect for each other. Many of those connections have helped me grow and expand my business and I am grateful for that.
I believe that in today's world, following your passion is extremely important. If you are passionate about business and entrepreneurship, you should go out there and try it. I respect all the individuals who take the opportunity to try and create something. Innovation and technology are where the future is going and we must nurture that constantly. I regularly help others who have ideas and offer any experience that I have to help them avoid the hardships that most entrepreneurs initially face.
Start young, work hard and good things will happen.
Impressed? Check out Arup's thriving companies at:
http://www.campusdestinations.com
http://www.beer-universe.com
http://www.emeraldart.com
