Student Entrepreneurs lead the way

RAVI KUMAR: GREENBEAVER

Ravi Kumar, a senior majoring in political science and media studies, is working very hard to impact people across the globe. Kumar, along with, Rahn Franklin, has founded a website called greenbeaver.org, which encourages sustainability and philanthropy. GREENBEAVER promotes the idea of students living an environmentally conscience lifestyle, and focuses on helping the underprivileged.
“GREENBEAVER is a nonprofit organization and it is our hope that it will be known nationally,” Kumar said.
Kumar also has started the Bridge Project here on BVU’s campus. The Bridge Project is comprised of sixteen members who encourage collaboration amongst organizations across campus. It is meant to bring individuals and organizations together so they can diversify. He hopes that having different organizations work together will encourage them to branch out and work together. Kumar hopes that this idea of collaborating and working together will continue after he graduates.

Contact, Ravi Kumar at greenbeaver.org
 

ANDRE WAGNER: abstractElements

Andre Wagner, a senior majoring in social work, has always had a love for art. When he was a freshman, he took a class in photography and realized that he really enjoyed it. He has turned his love for photography into more than just a hobby. Wagner is the founder for an art company called Abstract Elements (AE), which allows students to share their art with the world.
“I didn’t want to put myself in a position that it was only photography. I wanted to make it an art company, not just a photography company,” Wagner said.
Wagner is hoping that the company will expand into a business, and the artists who are members will be able to use their talents in the real word. He wants to create a team of artists that could be hired to photograph senior pictures, weddings, create sculptures, design, etc. AE has a blog online at www.abstractelements.com, and they are also available on facebook.

Contact, Andre Wagner at abstractelements.com

Desmond Owusu, a senior majoring in biology with a minor in psychology, has found a creative way to help people embrace their intelligence. Owusu is one of the cofounders of, and also the director of finance for, the clothing brand, Nerdy. Edward Oppong, a freshman majoring in marketing, and Nana Arkorful, a freshman majoring in computer science, are the other members of this new company.  
Nerdy came together Owusu’s junior year when he took an interim class called “How to Write a Business Plan.” This class inspired Owusu and Oppong, cofounder of Nerdy, to begin creating the band. Nerdy found mentors in Chicago, and they began making promotional merchandise such as buttons and hats. They released their first line of clothing Jan. 9 in Chicago, and the brand has been very successful so far. Even so, Owusu hopes that Nerdy will continue to grow and expand from just clothing.
“We want to continue to grow as a brand. We don’t want to limit ourselves to just clothes,” Owusu said. “Right now we are working on making our character, V. Peachtree, into a toy.”

Contact, Desmond Owusu at be-nerdy.com