What have you done since leaving the BBC?
I’ve started, closed, and sold several companies since graduation. It’s been a tremendous amount of fun to build teams, solve customers problems, and disrupt industries. My companies have experienced successes and failures which has only made me more knowledgeable and better prepared me to build my own company and help others achieve their goals.
I’m really passionate about international business relationships and finding those opportunities to completely change the way that I perceive myself and the world. You’ll think about yourself, your town, our country, and the world differently after you visit a developing country and see what really happens in expanding markets. While I’m enjoying my current role, I’m also working on my dream of writing a book and I’m hoping to develop some global speaking engagements.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently a consultant for a business that sells and builds amusement park attractions all over the world. I’ve been helping the company grow new businesses and scale to meet the needs of their global customers. It’s been an incredibly rewarding opportunity to help an Ohio business become an industry leader.
How has BBC helped you get to where you are today?
Relationships. As a member of the BBC, almost all of my friends since graduating college were also members of the BBC. Other entrepreneurs have similar plans, dreams, fears, problems, and opportunities so we’ve continued be connected and help each other on our journey. It’s the best group of friends.
As the President of the BBC, I was asked to speak to a few colleges in Ohio about my entrepreneurial journey which led to me being recognized by the White House, which led to me speaking at the Midwestern Governor’s Association Conference, and speaking at a Global Entrepreneurs Event held at the United Nations in DC.
Those experiences helped me get accepted into my dream graduate program at Babson College, the #1 ranked program for entrepreneurship in the world. Now, I’ve got an incredibly strong resume and it’s easy to find good work which aligns with my passion, income expectations, and skills.
What advice do you have for current BBCers?
Go to faculties office hours. College is not a meritocracy. Teachers often have opportunities that they can share with students who they like. The best chance for them to get to know you is if you take the time to visit them during office hours. It’s a good idea to bring a question relevant to class but even that isn’t necessary. Sit down with them and talk, give them some feedback on the class, ask them how they became interested in teaching. I don’t care but meet with them. It will unlock the secret opportunities that you don’t know that you’re not getting.
Get involved. You can’t just attend every BBC meeting and make zero contribution and expect to get a high return out of your membership. Convert a stranger into a friend at every meeting. Grab a coffee and just spitball ideas. Take the floor. You’ve got an opportunity to say whatever you want. Use that time to share a little about yourself. Attend events. Pitch an idea. Share your story and your passions with the leadership team so they know about you. That can be incredibly important if you want an internship or to meet someone. I wouldn’t recommend asking for introductions to the Columbus entrepreneurial leaders on your first meeting. Get involved and then a lot of doors can open up.
Keep your eye out for talented people. Learn to identify talent by listening to people talk and share their ideas. Pay attention to their assumptions. Eventually, you’ll be able to discern key insights from rambling. In my experience, really talented people are either really quiet or really loud.
