Eric Lindholm (B.S. Management 2007) co-founded the company SoundWorks Production while he was completing his undergraduate degree. SoundWorks manages both live sound and lighting production for events, such as festivals and concerts. Lindholm started the company after playing in a band and seeing the opportunity to have venues use the public address system he created. Lindholm sold the PA system to a bar. Then, with the help of his business partner coupled with a loan from his grandmother, Lindholm created a business concept and co-founded the firm SoundWorks. In just a short time, the company's client roster ranges from local acts to popular acts such as American English and Everclear. Due to the success of the firm, Lindholm has been able to repay his grandmother and reinvest more money into the company. More >>.
Joshua Dean (B.S. Management 2002) was featured by the Daily Herald newspaper as one of 10 top entrepreneurs under 30 in the Chicago suburbs. The article -- "Suburban Entrepreneurs Pave Their Own Path" -- highlights Dean's Naperville-based real estate company and describes how Dean built a company that creates videos of sellers' properties. Dean also utilizes YouTube to introduce prospective buyers to whole neighborhoods. For example, he produces videos about Naperville, Aurora, and Oswego with the aim of generating interest in people to live in those communities. The Daily Herald article ran on November 1, 2007.
[Click here for Joshua's YouTube Channel.]
[Click here to visit the Joshua Dean Real Estate Web Site.]
In spring 2007, Nicole D'Ambrosio (B.S. Marketing 2003) hit the bright lights of L.A. and competed in season 6 of Donald Trump's "The Apprentice" television show. Nicole did NIU proud by going the distance and making it to the season's finale. D'Ambrosio graduated from NIU with a degree in marketing. The Naperville native financed her entire NIU education on her own, working two or three jobs at a time to make ends meet. Not only did she manage to graduate with honors, she also found time to earn an associate degree and a certificate in real estate at Kishwaukee College. With her NIU degree in hand she founded Commercial Real Estate Corporation in Chicago, which specializes in large acquisitions of commercial real estate. She not only runs the company but also manages a portfolio of properties valued at more than $1 million. Click here for Nicole's visit with NIU students and for details about D'Ambrosio's "Apprentice" experience.
[Click here for an NIU News Release about Nicole.]
[Click here for a low resolution video of Nicole's presentation at NIU.]
[Click here for a high resolution video of Nicole's presentation at NIU.]