Local entrepreneurs launch social networking site

If the prospect of finding a job in this declining economy has got you shaking in your pre-graduation boots, it might be time for you to check out Under30CEO.com. Created by two local entrepreneurs, Matt Wilson of East Fishkill, NY and Jared O'Toole of Hopewell Junction, NY, Under30CEO is an online social networking community designed to push young entrepreneurs forward and encourage young people to pursue their dreams.

"Our biggest goal is to inspire people to get passionate about something and do what they love," O'Toole said.

Under30CEO's mission is to motivate young entrepreneurs to go beyond working a standard nine to five day job. In creating a community of users who are going through the same process of starting a business or graduating from college, O'Toole said the network becomes not only a motivator, but a supporter, too.

"Seeing people do it helps [users] break out of their comfort zones," O'Toole said.

By registering with Under30CEO.com, users have access to resources that help encourage them to go out and do what they are passionate about - even if they aren't aspiring entrepreneurs.

One key resource the site uses is Twitter.com. If you aren't familiar with Twitter, it's similar to the "status" feature on Facebook. However, for a Web site like Under30CEO, it can be used as a promotion tool, too. "It's all about word of mouth over the internet," Wilson said. Twitter is one of the main sources of publicity used by Under30CEO.com. In fact, the site was recently featured on Fox 10 News in Alabama due to connections developed through use of Twitter.

The site also regularly features blogs with business advice and interviews with successful entrepreneurs. Wilson and O'Toole also host live events every Tuesday night at 10 p.m. This online "cocktail hour" is a live stream on a specific topic that allows viewers to network while gaining advice from the site's creators. Currently about 25 users attend live events each week and the number is continuing to grow, O'Toole said.

"Right now, it's a close knit community," Wilson said of the site, which currently has around 440 members. "But we are going to tweak a few things and really work on expanding."

That expansion includes the launching of an online TV show. The show will feature experts from the entrepreneurial field giving advice to the site's users.

"It's going to be entertaining and informative," Wilson said. "It will continue our mission of inspiring people to go out and do what they love."

According to the Web site, virtual competitions, Under30CEO awards and online seminars are also in the future for the online community.

Though expansion is in the future, there are plenty of reasons to log on now and get networking - including internship opportunities.

Marist junior Josh Hurlock has been interning with Under30CEO since the beginning of the spring semester. Hurlock said he heard about the internship when Wilson came to speak at a Business Club meeting in November. As an intern, Hurlock's responsibilities include welcoming members to the site, reading blogs, and posting useful information to the site and on Twitter.
"It's all about entrepreneurs branding themselves, and getting their names out there," Hurlock said of the purpose of Under30CEO.
Jeff Seymour, former president of the Marist Business Club, is also a member of Under30CEO. Seymour, a business major, said he hopes to use the site to network with career professionals in preparation for his graduation in 2010.
When asked if they had advice for students facing graduation this May, Wilson and O'Toole agreed that the best advice they could give was to join Under30CEO.com.
"There is so much negative publicity right now about why social networking is bad and why college students should stay away," Wilson said. "But on the other side of those computers are real people. Use our platform and we will teach you how to use other platforms and connect with entrepreneurs everywhere.