Author Archive for oakesrj21

Matt Mullenweg: Creating Words

A software that hundreds of Grove City College students use everyday, and I am using right now, is WordPress. Matt Mullenweg, at just 19 years old, created the widely used blogging site that is used by thousands of people everyday, and takes no experience to build a blog or a website. Mullenweg was getting tired of popular blog websites not being updated, and was not ready to let go of his passion for blogging.

One thing that is extremely inspiring about Matt is that he did not let his desire for a dying art stop just because his resources were limited. Instead, he took the problem by its horns and was able to create a company that he was passionate about, but that would also solve problems for others. With the creation of WordPress, people can learn how to start their own website, as well as join blog forums to discuss their passions.

One takeaway from Mullenweg’s creation of WordPress is never stop chasing something you are passionate about, even if no one else is interested. This niche market that Matt got himself involved in is now a thriving hub for businesses, school, non-profit organizations, and hobbyists. If everyone chased their passions and got involved in their own niche marketplaces, the whole world would thrive with creativity.

The Seiders: Breaking Through the Unbreakable Market

I will start this off with a disclaimer: it is unclear whether the Seiders brothers are “millennials,” but they have heavily impacted both the Millennial and Gen X generations. Ryan and Roy Seiders grew up in Texas, where they were avid enjoyers of the outdoors. Spending many weekends in the Texas heat catching fish, they knew there was a problem with their coolers. That is when the Seiders came up with the idea to revolutionize the cooler and drinkware market with their idea, Yeti.

The cooler and drinkware market has long been dominated by many different companies, and it is a very easy market to make your way into. However, it is a near impossible task to become the leader of that market, and stay there for over 10 years. The Seiders revolutionized the way drinkware can be personalized and classy, while still remaining completely functional. The Yeti brand has become a staple in the cooler and drinkware community, and has been regarded as the best coolers money can buy. Every year, Yeti creates something new and innovative that nobody thought would be useful or worth it, and it instantly sells out.

These brothers are so inspiring because they found a problem in their own lives, and created a solution that has helped hundreds of thousands of people. Tailgates, parties, fires, and gatherings have all been revolutionized by the Seiders brothers invention of Yeti.

Social Entrepreneurs

When thinking of modern-day entrepreneurs, I think of social media influencers. Social media has become such a life-changing career for a lot of people, and it has truly become a major influence on the younger generation. One entrepreneur that has proven himself to be influential and successful is Jimmy Donaldson.

Under the username MrBeast, Donaldson has built a social media empire, and is worth an alleged $700 million at the young age of 26. Along with his YouTube channel that has over 315 million subscribers, he is also the founder of the snack and candy company, Feastables. Donaldson got his start in 2012 on YouTube, and gained fame years later with innovative but silly ideas like counting to 100,000 while on camera.

Donaldson has proven he is the one of the most influential people in the world today, but he has proven that there is more to his life than just earning money. One thing that is very respectable about Donaldson is his redemptive aspect to entrepreneurship. Even though he has never really publicly talked about religion, he comes from a Christian school background. He is a very philanthropic person, and has given millions of dollars to people and businesses in need.

Overall, even though I am not a fan of MrBeast, I think he needs to be included in the greatest entrepreneurs of the Gen Z era. He has created a very entertaining and family-friendly environment, and is not afraid to share his wealth with the world.