uwsp news release
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
University Relations and Communications, 715-346-3046, Fax 715-346-2042, www.uwsp.edu/news
October 25, 2006
UWSP freshman balances college life with entrepreneurship
Zach Vruwink, a freshman political science major at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, is not your average college student. Whereas some students go through college without a job and others get part-time jobs to help pay the bills, Vruwink already owns and maintains his own business, Zach’s Computers, in downtown Wisconsin Rapids.
Balancing school with work is not a new concept for him, since he founded the business when he was a freshman in high school in October 2002.
Starting in his parents’ basement, Vruwink picked and prodded at computers. As his knowledge of computers became more advanced, he was able to service and maintain his parents’ computer. His reputation as a computer technician grew, and he eventually took on servicing and selling new custom-built computers to family and friends. Vruwink realized that he could probably turn a profit with his skills and Zach’s Computers was born.
With the support of his parents and his association with Junior Achievement, an organization dedicated to educating young people about business, Vruwink started with $500 in working capital for rent, utilities and inventory for his first month of business. In July 2003 he rented a building through Consolidated Papers at an affordable and flexible price and payment plan.
With the customers he already had in family and friends, and the greater population of Wisconsin Rapids in need of reliable and friendly computer maintenance, Zach’s Computers found itself positioned well. In his first six months of business, he recorded about $75,000 in net sales, although he is quick to admit that after all the liabilities like rent, utilities and finance charges, there wasn’t much left in terms of profit.
Due to his emphasis on on-site personalized service, during and after each sale, he established a large customer base. The company experienced a year-over-year sales growth of about 20 percent in four short years. His inventory multiplied itself about twenty times and he added two employees, all the while maintaining a 3.5 grade point average throughout high school.
Now, with a customer base of over 1,000 and expected sales of over $200,000 for 2006, Vruwink has been accomplishing more than even he expected.
“When I started Zach’s Computers, I was looking at it as a side project that I could have as a summer job,” Vruwink said. “There was very little risk involved, so I decided to have some fun with it.”
His achievements have not gone unnoticed. In May he received the 2006 Wisconsin Area Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Milwaukee, where he met many local business owners, such as Culvers’ CEO Craig Culver. In June Vruwink traveled to Chicago to receive the Lake Michigan Area award, attending a formal event where he and three other Young Entrepreneurs were given $1,000 checks. Ernst & Young created the award to encourage the next generation of business leaders, and Vruwink is still in disbelief to find himself among them. However, he knows that his success wasn’t handed to him on a silver platter.
“I started from scratch. It wasn’t like opening a franchise,” Vruwink said. “It was, and still is, a constant process of trial and error, balancing employee needs and customer needs. Running your own business is definitely not a spectator sport.”
Making the transition between high school and college life is difficult for anyone, but Vruwink is taking it in stride. In addition to running Zach’s Computers, he has a full-time load of credits and is also working a few hours each week doing Web design on campus for Career Services. He plans on pursuing a position on the Student Government Association at UWSP. After graduating he wants to try his hand in law or politics. Politics is, after all, in his family. His aunt is Wisconsin State Representative Amy Sue Vruwink, and he said she has been a constant source of inspiration for him.
As far as the future of Zach’s Computers, Vruwink is trying to keep his options open. He may open another store, but he is hesitant as that would be a huge step. If his current store continues to grow at its current pace, expanding would be his likely course of action, he says, and he would most likely sell half of his ownership.
Whatever direction he takes, he has already established himself as a productive member of the community. If his past is an indicator for success in the future, he stands to achieve whatever goals he sets for himself. Vruwink’s achievements will no longer be unexpected.
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