“CampusProtein was started by two Greek sophomores at Indiana University -- Russell Saks and Mike Kunz, realized that the biggest demographic for weightlifting supplements (college students), had the hardest time getting the supplements. We were fed up with the 200% markups that GNC and Vitaminshoppe put in their stores. The alternative of ordering from online retailers whose shipping costs were $8-$20 dollars, and always seems to take 7-10 business days (probably because they don’t physically have the product in stock) was just as bad. So we came up with a solution to both these problems. We deliver name-brand supplements to your door at wholesale prices within hours of you placing the order; or you can have it delivered to you anywhere in just 2 days for $6.99. We currently only offer same day delivery at Indiana university, but with virtually no fixed costs involved in this venture we hope to expand to University of Illinois by Fall 2010 and across the nation shortly after. Any entrepreneurial minds are free to email me about becoming a franchise owner at their University.”
These are some shrewd, enterprising young gentlemen. I still want to roundhouse the asshole at GNC that sold me a “Gold Card” when I was interning in Manhattan last summer. And I still order all my supplements online. Now, I don’t have any personal experience with wholesale distribution, and I’m sure their supply chain could get more complicated as they expand – but from a high level view it is such a legit business model. Create relationships directly with the manufacturers, and improve your margins drastically. Then market locally to an established customer base, and expand. This is fucking Econ 101 boys and girls. BUT, the tough part is breaking through to these large companies -- Which they have been able to do. PROPS. And I can see why. The above description was sent to me directly by one of the founders – and it’s perfect. Direct, has an appropriate level of detail, and quantitative (I’m a numbers guy…and so are the majority of angel investors and VCs that you’ll meet…that engineering degree pays off, I promise).
It’s pretty hard to NOT buy supplements from here. I just ran out of Muscle Milk (non sequitur -- “yea,I take steroids…I eat that shit for breakfast, lunch, and dinner”) and I’m definitely picking some up from them. It’s pretty much a no-brainer. Cheap, easy, and your supporting an awesome organization. Sold.
Starting a business does not have to be creating the next innovative product or service that will change the world. It is about finding a niche, identifying your market, and committing to your venture (yea ok, so there’s a lot more blood, sweat, and tears…but you understand the motivational rhetoric here). So, use this and Arnold’s speech below as inspiration, and see why starting a business in college is the perfect time…
