Within Monmouth’s own creative and ambitious student body, there is a growing business. A senior fine art, art history and photography student, Matthew Hanratty, began his label company, Good Vibes or Get Out two and a half years ago.
“I went on to think about ruling the world, like I’m better than Vans; then I went to the realistic fantasy of it all when I got back to school,” Hanratty said. Hanratty had his dream and his drive equally push his company along.
“I used my own money, to get supplies, and we make everything by hand. I want it to be a personal company. When you buy a shirt you’re not a customer you’re a part of the movement of the label,” he said.
Dr. Stuart Rosenberg, associate professor of Management and Decision Sciences, said, “I think it’s possible for a mature student to be an entrepreneur if they have a dream and stability, they can succeed. If a student truly has a drive, good work ethic, and the ability to apply what they study in school, they should do it.”
Rosenberg encouraged, “if you have the motivation, you know what you need to do and have a business plan, don’t be afraid to be afraid to ask questions especially while you’re at the university with resources for you. If you can take your lumps and ride it out, then you should do it.”
Although Hanratty did not switch majors to fit entrepreneurship, but has prioritized time management and organizational skill. “Once I noticed the label’s potential, I knew I had to shift to better time management. It’s a key thing, along with organization. I want to be setting up for next week’s work and printing, not sitting around on the phone or watching TV.”
Professor John Buzza, Director of Monmouth University Center for Entrepreneurship and a specialist professor, said, “experience is crucial. Having a person willing to help, that’s been in those waters and can navigate them can really help.”
Buzza explained that the almost unteachable aspect of small business ownership; there is this “fire in the belly.”
“You get knowledge from living in the culture and experience it, rather than studying it. You get a real sense of what goes into making a business successful running your own business as compared to working in corporate America. Nothing better than the experience component,” he said.
Buzza noted that to improve the atmosphere on campus to promote businesses, we should have a think tank. This would allow students to bounce around ideas and, with feedback, create substantial business plans.
While class knowledge and work experience are important parts to beginning a business, if students have anymore questions or need further resources, Buzza said, “Come see me. I’m willing and able to help any way I can. I care to see students be successful.”
The ethical aspect of the company’s movement is very important to its creator. “I understand I will need to have my own money, but about 90% is recycled back into the community. I want to make millions, but I also want to give millions,” Hanratty declared.
Buzza also extenuates the importance of ethicality in a business.
“Ethics is such a big part of business. We are the bricks. Slowly, one brick at a time, we can change the morality of the world,” Buzza said.
“Pay your taxes, be honest, do the right thing and it won’t hurt you, it’ll come back around and help you,” he said.
The team of Good Vibes or Get Out, now includes a CFO and marketing manager which spreads the company across five platforms.
“A diverse team is important because it represents the community we want to reach. They actually came to me about the positions. I was ready to do it all on my own.” For other students looking to embark into the entrepreneurial waters, Hanratty said,
“The concept is simple, but you need to have the dedication because it is difficult. I was making prints on my 21st,” he said.
The movement of the label is to expand into more community oriented outreach programs.
Grey Matter campaign, which is in the works for the future, will publicly monitor the donations and highlight the help the company hopes to provide for the homeless and children of the community. A green, or environmental concept, is also within the business practices.
Hanratty said, “The projects and donations would be the outcome of the cost effective production process. We don’t want to give back because that means we already took too much. We want to create an atmosphere that will rise together.”
Hanratty’s growing movement is preparing for a new supply of gear this fall. For updates follow “gvogo” on Instagram.
PHOTO COURTESY of Matthew Hanratty
