Stubtopia.com Named the Top Student-run Business in Utah in the 2010 Utah Student 25 Awards Program

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 5, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Stubtopia.com, an emerging wholesaler of theatre and event tickets, is this year's No. 1 student-run and -founded business in Utah in the 2010 Utah Student 25 Awards program.

Now in its second year, the Utah Student 25 is an annual recognition of the top businesses started and currently run by college/university students in Utah and is open to any student in Utah who has founded a business in the past five years. Qualifying businesses are judged on revenue and profitability growth.

The complete 2010 Utah Student 25 ranking is shown below, including company name, student executive(s) and college/university affiliation. (NOTE: Seven companies were also included in the 2009 Utah Student 25 and are noted with an asterisk.)

1. Stubtopia.com; Dallen Allred; BYU.

2. Zulu Marketing; Edward Stewart, Josh Carr and Robert Stewart; UVU.

3. Uptown Cheapskate; Chelsea Elan Sloan and Scott Romney Sloan; University of Utah.

4. Great! Rooms & Mattresses; Eric Queathem and James Taggart; BYU.

5. Bruzel Entertainment; Matt Mantyla; BYU.

6. Let There be Light Services*; Jeremiah Olsen and Jared Miller; BYU.

7. Club V Volleyball; Ryan S Larson, V Reed Carlson and Matthew J Carlson; Westminster.

8. Four Pillar Fitness*; Ryan S Larson, V Reed Carlson and Matthew J Carlson; Westminster.

9. Craig's Cuts*; Craig Guincho, Emily Guincho and Michael Perrone; BYU.

10. Sourdough Sealcoating; Shelby Rampton; BYU.

11. Bluehouse Ski Co.; Adam Hepworth, Jared Richards, Dan Nebeker and Shane Larsen; University of Utah.

12. Xcell Motorsports; Jim Cerenzie; Dixie State.

13. Hype Ventures; Jake Rodgers; University of Utah.

14. Premium Landscape*; Weston Thayne; Weber State.

15. PictureThis*; Darrell Kevin Swain and Alma Madsen; BYU.

16. Exceptional Accounting Services; Anthony Lawrence Casto; BYU.

17. Capital G Design; Garrett Gee; BYU.

18. Desert Sno Shave Ice*; Josh Reeder and Jillian Alsbury Reeder; UVU.

19. Chocolot Artisan Chocolates*; Ryan Kendrick, Ruth Kendrick and Brett Smith; Westminster.

20. Alpine Window Washing; Joshua Oaks; BYU.

21. Parker Planners; Ethan Parker and Benjamin Martineau; BYU.

22. JB Lawn Care; Jason Brand; BYU.

23. ThaiCycles; Joel Ragar and Aaron Barcus; BYU.

24. CupAd; Caleb Light and Josh Light; BYU.

25. Strawberry Buttons; Karaleigh Garrison; BYU.

Additionally, two businesses were recognized this year as Utah Student Emerging Companies:

1. Altus Poles; Mark Jensen and Aaron Howcroft; BYU, and

2. EcoScraps; Daniel Blake, Craig Martineau and Brandon Sargent; BYU.

"I am so proud of these students and their ability to take their ideas and turn them into legitimate businesses, some of which have huge potential," said John Richards, founder and director of the Utah Student 25 and an associate professor of entrepreneurship at BYU. "Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our economy, and oftentimes, small businesses (even those started in a dorm room) can grow to become massive, multinational enterprises. I salute each of these students for their passion and commitment, and we look forward to seeing their progress in the years to come."

In total, there are 15 businesses affiliated with BYU in the 2010 Utah Student 25 ranking. The number of businesses affiliated with other colleges/universities in Utah in this year's ranking are as follows:

• University of Utah, 3 businesses;
• Westminster, 3 businesses;
• Utah Valley University, 2 businesses;
• Dixie State College, 1 business; and
• Weber State University, 1 business.

According to Josh Oaks, CEO of Alpine Window Washing (the #20 business in this year's ranking), the inspiration to start his business came while working for another company.

"I was helping generate leads for a company that sold home siding and windows," Oaks said. "But every time I mentioned that we sold windows, people asked if we cleaned windows. Eventually I said, 'This is stupid. I should start a business washing windows.' So I did."

Oaks launched his business in 2009 with two friends from the Timpview High School wrestling team in Orem, Utah. Alpine Window Washing currently has a mix of both commercial and residential customers, and although a seasonal business, Oaks expects to reach $250,000 in annual revenue in 2012.

Conversely, Zulu Marketing (a pay for performance affiliate marketing company) generated roughly $400,000 in sales through the first eight months of 2010.

"The Utah Student 25 is an awesome program," said Eddie Stewart, managing member of Zulu Marketing (the #2 business in this year's ranking). "I remember our teachers announcing it in classes last year at UVU. It created a lot of buzz and excitement among the students, and it's cool to be ranked so high in this year's program."

2010 Utah Student 25 Sponsors

The Utah Student 25 appreciates the support of its various sponsors, including

• Cornerstone Sponsor: Adobe/Omniture;
• Platinum Sponsors: Bennett - Tueller - Johnson & Deere; Grant Thornton; Wells Fargo; and Utah CEO;
• Gold Sponsors: Cornerstone Technologies; Politis Communications; ObservePoint; and ExactRail; and
• Sponsors: Academy for Creating Enterprise; Bateman IP Law Group; 1on1 Marketing; and Silicon Slopes.

About the Utah Student 25

A student-run non-profit program, the Utah Student 25 aims to spur economic development in Utah by recognizing local student entrepreneurs. For more information, please visit http://www.UtahStudent25.com.  

CONTACT:

David Politis, Politis Communications, 801-523-3730(w), 801-556-8184(c), [email protected]  

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SOURCE Utah Student 25