Adam Stevens, Marketing/‘04, came to Michigan State University knowing he wanted to own a business.
“I fell into a job in sales but a few years later I saw the potential to do more and wanted to exceed what my managers wanted to do,” Stevens said.
Stevens formed Automotive 2 Internet (A2i) Wheel and Tire in his garage in 2009 to deliver consumers hard-to-find automotive parts and accessories.
MSU helped Stevens and Roman Macudzinski, co-owner of A2i and Stevens’ college roommate, develop the skills they currently use on a daily basis as entrepreneurs.
“MSU did a great job of exposing me to core components of how a business runs no matter how big or small,” Macudzinski said. “MSU taught the importance of hard work, critical thinking, and problem solving, not only individually but in a group setting.”
While Stevens and Macudzinski didn’t start their business until after they graduated, many MSU undergrads have become student entrepreneurs with the help of The Hatch. In partnership with the MSU Innovation Center, The Hatch funds student business concepts as well as providing them with support.
"I don't believe MSU had anything like The Hatch when we were there and I think that is a great idea and tool for current students," Macudzinski said.
MSU also recognized the ever-changing marketplace and gave these students the preparation that they needed to thrive. “The importance of how globalization and the Internet was going to impact the marketplace was heavily communicated,” Macudzinski said. “It's been fascinating to see that transformation occur over the last 15 years and how dependent our business is on the different online platforms.”
It was with this knowledge the idea to create a internet-centric business was born.
Stevens feels that the most valuable skill he picked up during his time at MSU was his drive to constantly be better. It seems this skill is paying off, Stevens was just named one of the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s "35 under 35."
“Learning how to thrive as a small fish in a big pond was one of the most important lessons I learned,” Stevens said. “It’s fun to look at the competitors doing better at you, and then as you grow there is always a new one in front of you.”