Entrepreneurial Venture Success Stories

ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURE SUCCESS STORIES

Frank Colarik is the President of RevPartners, Inc., an Internet Marketing Company. The company generated over $2 million in revenue for its clients and partners in 2004.

Leonard Mack was one of the first students in the University of Akron’s Entrepreneurship Program. At the age 21, he started his first major business, a cybercafé called the Hard Drive Cafe located in Akron, Ohio. After the initial startup, Leonard was active in day to day operations until he sold it in 2001.

In 1999, he founded CommunityMalls, an online shopping portal that support community organizations with a portion of the profits. This business was sold in 2002 and went through several mergers with other similar online portals.

In 2003, Leonard became the CIO of the U.S. Cargo (transportation and logistics company in business since 1972) headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Leonard is instrumental in the ongoing technology improvements and managing the development of new freight tracking technology.

In 2004, Leonard became founding partner and co-owner in JL Decalz, a vinyl production business providing vinyl signage and decals for the automotive, boating and aviation industries. Major customers include Ford, General Motors, Toyota of America, Bayliner, Boeing, Cessna, Diamond Aircraft and Piper

In 2005, Leonard oversaw the founding and entire I/T operations of a new startup – Intercity Parcels (Subsidiary of U.S. Cargo), an innovative franchise model for the transportation/freight industry and continues to serve as CIO of corporate operations and the franchise division.

1997- 2001                Hard Drive Café, Founder and CEO
1999-2002                 CommunityMalls, Founder and CEO
2003 -current            CIO of U.S. Cargo
2004-current              Founding partner and co-owner JL Decalz
2005-current              CIO Intercity Parcels

Tidal Gardens Inc. is an aquaculture company started by co-owners, Than Thein and Mike Anderson. Tidal Gardens specializes in the propagation of living coral for the reef aquarium hobby. The corals are grown locally and sold nationally via Tidal Gardens’ online storefront. The company came in second place at The University of Akron’s 2004 University-wide Business Plan Competition and 1 st place ($30,000 prize money) at the 2005 COSE Business Plan Competition

POSH CO., LTD. is a trading company of cutting tool products with an authorized license from PRAMET TOOL (made in Chez Republic, pramet.com). The company is in the process of signing an official contract for sole distributorship in Thailand after receiving a verbal agreement from Pramet's export manager on November, 2004. The products the company sells are indexable inserts, turning tool holders, tooling system, die and mold making tools, and U-Drills.

Suthep is also a stakeholder in GLOBIZ AUFAIT CO., LTD., a one year old startup company. The main business is mass machined parts manufacturing for the automotive industry. The major customer is HONDA. This company does localization for rubber and plastic products. Currently, the company manufactures dust seal products for Sahaviriya Steel, the biggest cold roll sheet in Thailand , for cold roll steel sheet manufacturing process. The progress projects the company handles includes exporting rubber sheet to UK (analysis of the chemical composition of sample) and machining roller for the NSM, a second largest hot roll sheet manufacturing located in Eastern Seaboard Industrial Zone.

Cagatay Ural owns an international business located in Luxemburg, which is involved in the trading of electronics, raw materials, glassware, and other products. The company’s main suppliers are based in the Asia-Pacific with customers in Europe and the U.S.

The address is 36, rue Charles Quint L-2380, Luxembourg
Phone number: +352 21 211 695

Matt has purchased two businesses from his family and also owns real estate. He currently owns three houses and just purchased a timeshare condo on Maui, Hawaii. He is also in the process of starting an Internet business.

Belaji Devarasetty
Computer Software Engineer III
Di ebold Inc.
http://diebold.com/

Belaji Devarasetty holds the position as a computer software engineer with Diebold, Inc. He uses the skills that he learned in the entrepreneurship program to assist in writing and analyzing business plans in the corporate environment. He plans to move into business development.

Don is a graduate of the entrepreneurship program. While in the program, he started his own business. Don changed directions into corporate entrepreneurship by utilizing his skills in a bank. He quickly rose to be Vice President of commercial lending for National City Bank and is on the Fitzgerald Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies Advisory Board.

Tally Allthefery purchased two restaurants after completing his entrepreneurial studies at the University.

Pritam Das was part of the first place team at UA’s 4 th Annual B-Plan Competition. He is currently utilizing his entrepreneurial skills in the non profit sector. He is a research engineer at the National Composite Center (NCC), Dayton, OH, a non-profit organization.

With the help of $1 million grant from the State of Ohio, Ptitam is working with Dr. Bob Brannon, Manager, Thermoplastic Division, NCC to popularize a new advanced material called long fiber thermoplastics. The idea of this grant is to purchase manufacturing equipments and later spin off companies making products made of this advanced material. The site www.lftmaterials.com has been constructed for details about the material with the idea of making people know about it and accordingly find niche applications for spinning off new companies.

Mr. Connor, an RN, founded a successful real estate company. He came in third place in the 2003 University-wide Business Plan Competition and fourth place in the 2004 competition.

Mr. Riley is President of Keithcomm LLC a computer sales and consulting company located in Akron , Ohio.

Mr. Fabrick started an audio video equipment service & repair, computer cable & wiring installation, computer repair, computer repairs, and computers electronics company.

Mary Wareham

Ms. Wareham, at the age of 22 years old, recently purchased two beauty salons in Chagrin Falls , Ohio , a suburb of Cleveland .

Mr. Miller has found a company called 3 rd Millennium which consults with small businesses and non-profit organizations.

Prabhu Soundarrajan holds a position as a research engineer in one of the premier nanotechnology research and development company based in Austin , Texas . Prabhu received his master in polymer engineering from The University of Akron in August 2003. Prabhu also studied entrepreneurship at the university.

Put-in-Bay Watercraft Rentals, Inc. rents Waverunners, Jet Skis, Kayaks, and Boats in the Put-in-Bay area in Ohio.

Emily is a graduate of the entrepreneurship program. A Flower A Day is a full service florist providing the finest in fresh floral arrangements, gift baskets, and gift items. The company specializes in personal and corporate events including weddings. The business’ focus is to provide customers special and unique arrangements at an affordable price for their ordinary or extraordinary days. The store is located at 4139 Hudson Drive in Stow, Ohio and is more than your ordinary flower shop. All of their gift merchandise is created by local artists. You will find paintings, jewelry, home decor, and much more. Right now are decorated and filled with plenty of holiday gifts. A Flower A Day can be reached at 330-929-FLWR(3597) or www.afloweradayusa.com

Store hours are Monday-Friday 9 am-6pm and Saturday 9 am-1pm. Extended holiday hours are available now until December 24th.

Mrs. Hirt was on the 2001 award winning business plan team that came in 8th place in the world at the Sand Diego State University’s International Business Plan Competition. Sue recently presented a new business plan for a new clinic site in Northern Summit County.