2007 - Joe Vasko, UNO Entrepreneurship Major, Outdoor Innovations, LLC
After working for a landscaping company for three years and running the day-to-day, I realized that my boss was making over $100,000 a year running his own company. I was making $11 an hour working for him. Something different had to be done. I had the entrepreneurial spirit it was just a matter of directing it in the right place. In 2005 I started Outdoor Innovations LLC. I worked my butt off for quite a while to get things rolling, but I have seen at least a 100% increase in revenue each year of business. I have also expanded off of simply landscaping to commercial pressure washing as well. I now have service contracts with large commercial managers such as Lund Co., Investors Reality; and I do work at properties such as Regency Court Mall, Oakview Mall, & Canfields Plaza.
Aside from my success with Outdoor Innovations I am a full time student in UNO’s Entrepreneurship program. I am actively seeking to change this program with the University's help in order to serve future entrepreneurs.
Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm: enthusiasm is what it takes and means to be an entrepreneur.
Joe Vasko
(402) 290-2181
jvasko@mail.unomaha.edu
2006 - Chris Miller, UNO Finance Major, Delta Real Estate Portfolio, LLC
After reading a bunch of books and observing enough customers (and their account balances) at the bank I worked at, I realized that the majority of wealthy people in this world are those who own and run their own businesses. It seemed that these successful people were not much different than me, and I made a choice to own my own business someday. The only problem I had was that I didn't know exactly where or how to start and I didn't know anyone else my age that was interested in starting and owning their own business.
In the fall semester of 2006, I started promoting the CEO club and found out there are lots of students here at UNO and all over the country who make a living from sources other than regular jobs. Being surrounded by entrepreneurial students has been extremely beneficial by providing support, knowledge, inspiration, competition, and great friendships.
In a matter of 18 months since starting CEO I have gone from being completely clueless on how to run a business to owning and operating a real estate business that brings in $110,000 in gross revenue. But better yet, I've met hundreds (possibly thousands) of extremely motivated students running their own business, 10 of them from our chapter I consider to be among my closest of friends. I hope through joining this club that you will benefit from it as much as I have.
To me, the best thing about starting your own business is not the financial caveats upon success, but the ability to have the freedom and creativity to fully engage yourself in something you are extremely passionate about which makes a positive contribution tp the world in which we live.
"The best time to start a business is NOW!"
Chris Miller
(402) 802-9955
cgmiller@mail.unomaha.edu
