[quote style=”boxed”]Write them down. After you have an idea written down, analyze it and contemplate about it. Then speak to someone close to you who understands you and your thought process. I usually go to my brother for this. Last but not least, go out and execute your plan.[/quote]
Bryan Weschler was born and raised in Miami, Florida. In need of extra cash Bryan began to perform small household moves. Bryan made his first move in what he describes as a “soccer van,” having no idea that he would later become the CEO and co-founder of 2 College Brothers. After his first move, Bryan realized that there was a genuine need for honest, ethical and efficient movers. It is then that the company was founded in Miami. Since then, 2 College Brothers has expanded and become a multi-faceted business. Bryan got his younger brother, Kevin, in on the project, creating the idea behind the name, 2 College Brothers. 2 College Brothers now has managers in various cities across Florida including Gainesville, Tallahassee, and Orlando. Bryan runs the company from Miami, and manages the day-to-day communication that keeps 2 College Brothers organized and efficient. As CEO, he makes sure to communicate with everyone on the 2 College Brothers team including managers, public relations interns and movers. Bryan, as an entrepreneur, says communication is one of the most important parts of his job. Bryan describes the primary market of 2 College Brothers college students, and the company is entirely student-run. Bryan’s goal for the company has been the same since day one: offering clients the best service in the industry.
What are you working on right now?
Right now, I’m working on setting up 2 College Brothers for the upcoming summer months. From February until April, I’m focusing all my energy into marketing. Public relations work and networking are a big part of getting our name out to the college market. I’m also working on training our employees, both the managers and the movers, to make sure everyone on the team is on the same page, and are positioned in such a way, where we can offer our clients the best service in the industry.
Where did the idea for 2 College Brothers come from?
The idea for 2 College Brothers initially sprouted from a need for some extra cash. Then, after we made our first move, I saw that there was a genuine need for ethical and honest movers. That’s the theme 2 College Brothers is based on: reliable and friendly service.
How do you make money?
The company makes money by making moves – literally. We focus on college markets, and that’s where we get a lot of our revenue from. We also offer our moving services to local residents.
What does your typical day look like?
My typical day is pretty busy – it’s communication right from when I wake up. The day revolves around a lot of emails, a lot of phone calls and a lot of conference calls. It’s an organized but messy schedule. I interact with managers and clients and partake in a lot of coordinating .
How do you bring ideas to life?
Write them down. After you have an idea written down, analyze it and contemplate about it. Then speak to someone close to you who understands you and your thought process. I usually go to my brother for this. Last but not least, go out and execute your plan.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
Something that’s trending right now that interests me is young entrepreneurship. In a market like todays, with so much speculation and uncertainty, there is nothing better to see, than young folks taking responsibility for their lives, eliminating excuses from their arsenal, and make something happen. Young people are increasingly creating innovative and successful businesses. I like the whole idea of being a go-getter and being able to make a name for yourself to impact the community and people in a positive manner.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
Worst job I ever had was working at McDonald’s. Other than learning how to flip burgers, I learned how to do something I didn’t like without quitting.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I would definitely go out and seek more advice if I could start over. Getting some tips from people involved in business and people involved in the moving industry would have been very helpful at during the company’s startup phase.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
I recommend entrepreneurs keep their thoughts in check. It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re starting something completely new. Staying motivated and continuing to learn as you go is key. I would state as well that it is crucial to keep the big picture in perspective. It is easy to get lost in the challenges and distraction of today. But, perseverance’s to push through that is an attribute to apply daily.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Failures I’ve had in the past usually have to do with a lack of communication to my team. In any business, making sure everyone involved is on the same page is key. Really listening, sincerely understanding, and then correcting and applying if needed have a been a great model to address anything in our business.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I’ve always been interested in the service industry. I think a really cool business concept would be a landcaping company, preferably with a college twist. That definitely would spark some interest in the community.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and how would you go about it?
One thing in the world I wish I could eliminate is sex trafficking. Its a grand subject that is often overlooked, since it can seem delicate and scary to talk about. I believe it in the 20 million somethings of sex slaves around the world. I would love and look forward to getting involved with an organization that fights against this , as a supporter or even a volunteer so I could have a direct impact on eliminating the problem.
Tell us something about you that very few people know?
One thing not a lot of people know about me is that I enjoy teaching others.
What are your three favorite online tools or resources and what do you love about them?
My three favorite websites right now are inc.com, promover.org and businessinsider.com. Inc.come and businessinsider.com have a lot of articles geared towards entrepreneurs and offer a lot of business tips. Promover.org is a website based on the moving industry in America and just keeps me updated as a professional involved in the moving industry.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
The E Myth. The book is based on how to create a solid business by utilizing the correct systems. One of the best pieces of advice it gives is that when running a business, you have to work on it and not in it.
Three people we should follow on Twitter and why?
@daveramsey: He’s a big leader in money management.
@johncmaxwell: One of the leading teachers on leadership.
@sandikrakowski: A powerful business leader who puts a female voice out there.
When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
Last time I laughed was probably yesterday. I received from pictures from my brother on spring break in Mexico.
Who is your hero, and why?
My hero is definitely my grandfather. He’s very influential, very inspirational and very helpful in my life. He’s always willing to lend me a hand if I need any help with anything. He’s also very insightful, which helps a lot when you’re trying to come up with concepts for a new business or in life.
How do you see the growth of 2 College Brothers?
Solid. The company has been growing since day one. We’re working on getting the foundations of our company solid so that as the company continues to expand, it can do so in the most efficient and effective way possible.
What qualities do you possess that suit you for entrepreneurship?
I’m a thinker, I have goals, I’m focused and I always look to strengthen my character. Building your character is a huge part of starting any business, because businesses are a reflection of the people who run them. I intentionally look for the best in others and try to magnify that, as well as putting people in our company first to the best of my ability.
Connect:
2 College Brothers on Facebook:
Bryan Weschler on LinkedIn:
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.