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Chi Nguyen-Ventura MBA’11 Founder, AutoMedic automedic.biz The big idea: “We want to revolutionize an antiquated industry — car care — by leveraging technology to help deliver simple services on location. Whether it’s cleaning, preventive maintenance or basic wear-andtear replacements, our customers don’t have to worry about finding us. We come to them.”
WATCH
WILLAMETTE IS HOME TO BIG DREAMS, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ALUMNI ARE TURNING THOSE DREAMS INTO ACTION. FROM PIES THAT INSPIRE A “HIGH FIVE” TO AN AUTOMEDIC WHO MAKES HOUSE CALLS, YOU’LL SEE WHY BEARCATS WITH GOOD IDEAS ARE WORTH WATCHING.
Colin Schilling ’10 MBA’12 Co-founder, Schilling Cider schillingcider.com The big idea: “Schilling Cider aims to restore craft cider as a cornerstone libation of America, as it was when the county was founded. Although we aspire to be a larger producer, we will never compromise on quality and creativity.” Why to watch: “We just opened a new production cidery and our first cider bar. We're excited to grow the category of craft cider through education about the drink.”
Why to watch: “As we wrap up our fourth year, what lies ahead for 2015 is what I consider our moment of truth. We have proven we can survive, but can we thrive? I have challenged my management team to dedicate 2015 to growth.”
Dani Cone ’98 Founder, Fuel Coffee, High 5 Pie, Cone & Steiner General fuelcoffeeseattle.com, high5pie.com, coneandsteiner.com
Phil Catudel MBA’14 President/CEO, Zoned Nutrition zonednutrition.com The big idea: “Shpatar Morina MBA’14 and I started Zoned Nutrition at Willamette. We specialize in ‘brain and body’ products with offerings of ‘smart drugs,’ or nootropics, as they are properly called, which are safe, non-prescription supplements that increase cognitive function, energy, and focus.” Why to watch: “We started with one product, and now we have seven — all delivering FDA-approved ingredients in a straightforward, marketing hype-free, professional manner.”
The big idea: “My overall mission for the businesses is to be an asset to our neighborhoods, to strive each day to make customers proud to have us in the community. For me, it’s nothing groundbreaking — we simply want to make a good place for folks to come together over good food and drink.” Why to watch: “I love what I do. To me, this is the greatest job on earth. I hope I can continue to grow these businesses, and serve our community and neighborhoods with outstanding coffee, delicious pies, all sorts of grocery basics and small-batch, local products.”
Melissa Wilmot ’03 Founder and CEO, WedBrilliant wedbrilliant.com The big idea: “WedBrilliant is an online venue for engaged couples to post all their wedding needs and for our talented wedding vendors to bid on them. We offer more control over budgets and a new way for vendors to connect with potential clients.” Why to watch: “WedBrilliant has grown remarkably since our February 2014 launch. I’m looking forward to excellent partnerships with other wedding industry big names in the year to come. We’ll continue to focus on smart, thoughtful growth and a commitment to meeting wedding needs of all of our members!”
Illustration by Stuart Patience 22
SPRING 2015