Cooper Gee, Francisco Campos, Jessica Gardella, and Basil Despines are University of Dayton students who have designed a new product for UD students, and should we say its... genius.
A simple concept with so much uniqueness to it has hit campus and many students are wondering where this idea has been their whole lives? FoundIt! was created "in [Cooper Gee's] room one night when he heard his roommate complaining that he could not find his new Hydroflask water bottle, and he wished there was an easier way to find it and get it back. It was at this moment that he came up with the idea of FoundIt!stickers."
So who are the minds behind FoundIt? The four sophomore, entrepreneurship program students are leading the charge of this ground breaking idea.
President, Cooper Gee, is from Nashville, Tennessee. "Ever since Cooper was young, he had an entrepreneurial mindset. From setting up lemonade stands, to selling card decks at overnight camps, he was always looking for ways to do business. Seeing his dad run his architecture firm has always inspired Cooper to run a business of his own someday. Besides entrepreneurship, Cooper spends a lot of his free time at the gym either working out or at boxing practice. He also participates in intramural sports and is on the executive board for his fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi. The Sophomore Experience class was the reason that University of Dayton was Cooper’s choice for school, and he is so excited to grow FoundIt! to its full potential."
Accountant, Francisco Campos, is from Des Plaines, Illinois. "Francisco Campos: Francisco has always wanted to be an entrepreneur. He is fascinated by the creative opportunities that entrepreneurship gives. Besides entrepreneurship, Francisco enjoys learning about financial markets and enjoys being part of organizations such as the Davis Center for Portfolio Management, the Kudla
Dynamic Allocation Fund, and Delta Sigma Pi. Francisco’s hobbies consist of hanging out with friends, playing sports, bass fishing, and watching Champions League soccer games. Overall, Francisco is super excited to see the opportunities of Found It! grow and continue working with the great team the company has."
Marketing Manager, Jessica Gardella, is from Sugar Grove, Illinois. "Jessica Gardella comes from a family of entrepreneurs, and she has been intrigued by the creativity, freedom, and opportunity of entrepreneurs since she was young. She grew up alongside her twin sister, Paige, who shares the same passion for the business world. Jessica was an avid athlete in highschool and led her highschool
volleyball team as a team captain for two years-- this opportunity further enhancing her passion for leadership. Besides being a part of the entrepreneurship program, she is a member of the Alpha Phi sorority on campus, and she is the treasurer for the women health and wellness club, CHAARG, on campus. Jessica is excited to continue working with her FoundIt! team and watch the company grow."
Finally, Operations Manager, Basil Despines, is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "Basil has always been interested in Entrepreneurship. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs influenced him to join the Entrepreneurship program at the
University Of Dayton. Learning from and talking with his family members has taught him that entrepreneurship entails hard work, creativity, and the capacity to apply unique ideas to meet a need or start a socially minded business for a particular community or niche market. Seeing his family members’ success motivates him to find his own success within the entrepreneurial world. Basil’s hobbies consist of playing soccer and lacrosse, hanging out with his friends, fishing, and listening to influential podcasts. Basil is excited to work with the FoundIt! team and to use his opportunity in the entrepreneurship program at UD to grasp and learn important material to become a successful entrepreneur."
The group "not only wanted to start this micro company because it was a project, [but also] wanted to start the company because we have a passion for creativity and the development of innovative products and services. We wanted to create an innovative and honest way for lost items to be returned to their owners because, as college students, we know it is easy to lose everyday items. Our mission is to promote honesty and eliminate the cost of lost valuables by providing a way for lost items to be returned.”
The University of Dayton is even helping getting the group started on their journey with $5,000 to start-up and beginning their company, and the entrepreneurship program and its leaders provide support, guidance, and feedback when needed. It is important to note that the group does not plan on stopping at just UD, "We are looking to expand our product to other universities, highschools, sports teams, sporting events, local businesses, and possibly the bookstore and admissions office. There will be plenty more sticker designs available after our first release of the flying D stickers!" Those stickers can be purchased here: https://www.founditstickers.com. They come in a pack of five stickers (2 large, 3 small) for $15, but more designs will be out later on.
WHAT HAVE YOU GUYS BEEN SAYING
An anonymous UC student noted, "I wish my campus had something like this, I am always losing things. This is so cool to me, and I love that the QR code is in the UD school logo"
A Dayton student reflected on the sticker concept, "I think it's really awesome seeing Dayton Students come up with ideas like this, its so simple, but so brilliant at the same time."
Another Flyer sent in a comment saying, "Its so smart, for your computer, phone, AirPods, water bottle, it would be cool to see keychains that can be put on your keys or backpack but I love this idea. I'm so proud of my fellow flyers.
A University of Miami student recalled losing her water bottle multiple times, "it would have saved so much time having this at my school."
What are your thoughts? Send them in on the contact us page on our website! :)
*A special thanks to FoundIt! for speaking with me on their company*
A Note from FoundIt!
"Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article. We are excited to do business with you! Please follow us on our social media platforms and feel free to direct message or email us with any questions, concerns, or advice you may have!"
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