The thought of part-time college work brings to mind certain jobs: Telemarketing, retail or waiting tables are common. Fourth-year College student Brian Barrett, on the other hand, along with co-founders Tolu Williams and Megan Hall, also fourth years, founded Ideogenics, a Web design and consulting company. The idea for the company spawned from an internship the three held at American Management Systems in Baltimore over the summer of 2002, and Ideogenics was actually founded in August of that year.
The three knew they wanted to start a business, but the constraints of college dictated that it be run part-time.
"What can we provide that will be profitable? We were limited as to our knowledge of what services we could offer, and we were three different people, how were we going to focus on a vision that will bring it all together?" Barrett recalled as questions they asked themselves at the time.
Williams said the brainstorming began earlier that summer.
"We started talking about it during our commute to AMS," he said.
The group had general technical know-how, computer literacy and some programming skills, so Web design and consulting was the most sensible choice.
Surprisingly, the business was started with only $33 from each of the founders.
"That is something we really pride ourselves on," Barrett said of the startup cost for Ideogenics.
In keeping with the theme of low overhead costs, the company initially got its clients on foot, canvassing the community for businesses that wanted to establish or enhance their Web presence. Since then, Ideogenics' clients have mostly come from word of mouth and are not limited to the Charlottesville community. Today, Ideogenics has five steady clients and five part-time employees that are University students as well.
Diverging visions for the company required that Williams and Hall step down from their role in running the company, Williams said. Barrett added that time constraints were another factor in the decision. Barrett now runs the business himself.
Williams has since started another Web-based business, Culture Shock Media, Inc. that is more focused on design.
One might think that with a successful project like Ideogenics, the temptation to leave school to focus on the business might overcome the desire to earn a degree, but Barrett keeps everything in perspective.
"I realize that many of the opportunities I have had come from school," he said.
Barrett's entrepreneurial drive came from his passion for business and responsibility, as well as the lure of financial independence. His strong family ties aided him in having lofty goals for himself. Both his uncles own and run their own businesses, and served as role models throughout his childhood, he said. Barrett's drive is deeper than simply making money, though.
"My main goal as a person is to bring back opportunity to the community where I'm from," Barrett explained.
Williams also has always known that he wanted to work for himself and run his own company.
When asked about his future, Barrett says he hopes that Ideogenics is the first chapter of several different ventures that he enters, mentioning entrepreneurship and venture capital as two possible interests for his future. Williams also wants to pursue business and added that Ideogenics was a good experiment for him in what to do and what not to do when running a business.
Hall said she was equally impressed with the results of their efforts:
"It was really difficult starting a business with friends, but the experience was rewarding
Read More
Bert Ellis reflects on time as member of Board of Visitors
By Cecilia Mould | 2 hours agoWhile Ellis entered the Board with certain priorities in mind, he said that most had not been accomplished during his term, without a majority of Youngkin appointees on the Board.
Visa status restored for one international student and two recent University graduates
By Jackie Bond | YesterdayAccording to a statement from University Spokesperson Bethanie Glover, the University learned of the visa terminations of the current student and two alumni April 4
Students react to President Ryan signing national letter defending higher education
By Brendon Bordwine | YesterdayWhile some students praised the move as a stand for academic freedom, others questioned its impact amid recent DEI rollbacks and safety concerns
