An Inspirational Email I Received Today from a Young Entrepreneur

Hi David-

I hope you take the time to read this email because if
anything you will get a great testimonial out of this
but most likely get some renewed inspiration from a
young entrepreneur who wants success more than anyone.

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I'd like to tell you a little bit about myself.
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My name is Adam Gilbert and I graduated from the School
of Management at Binghamton University in New York.

As a freshman, I saw a tremendous opportunity to help
small businesses connect with students so I created
www.Bingcoupons.com.

I was charging local businesses a monthly fee to
advertise and they would have specials offers to my
website visitors.

After doing surveys I found that students wouldn't
print coupons which proved to be the demise of my
business because businesses couldn't track their ROI.

Although this was very successful I felt that my idea
for the www.UltimateDiscountCard.com would prove to be
ever more lucrative.

I created the Card that entitled cardholders access to
exclusive specials and discounts from over 60 local
businesses. UDC quickly became a campus phenomenon
earning me amazing positive press.

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I was featured on the front page of the Sunday business
section in the local newspaper...
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...the BU Alumni Journal, the BU Pipe Dream which is
the school newspaper and even U.S. News & World Report.

I changed the business model from charging businesses
to making it absolutely free for businesses  however, I
charged students  15 for the card.

I wound up selling over 1400 cards and was able to form
a partnership with a major national marketing company
Student Advantage. SA was a public company with
revenues in excess of  40 MM in 2001 with a clientele
of Amtrak, Greyhound, Urban Outfitters, Footlocker and
Armani Exchange. SA created a national discount card
program for college students focusing on national
clients rather than local businesses.

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If only I was only born ten years earlier to capitalize
on the internet boom like SA did.
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I saw a weakness in there business model by not
focusing on local businesses and not only did I succeed
I partnered with them this year to offer cardholders
SA's discounts in addition to the same great discounts
they enjoyed previously.

It was pretty cool and flattering negotiating the
partnership by dealing with the CEO who has never
partnered with a small local discount card company.

Now I am working for Ernst & Young in New York City and
have a campus manager running my business. I have also
learned no one cares about my business as much as I do.

Although UDC was a big success when I was there it
turns out it was a job not a business. A business can
run itself and not rely on the owner to always be
there.

Due to the laziness of college kids and counting on
managers to run my business I am combining the best
aspects of both Bingcoupons.com and UDC to form one
business with of course some great new features.

I am also going back to charging businesses because
charging consumers is a lot tougher.

Anyway, the part of the email that may interest you is
that I am working for EY now and I just wanted to let
you know whenever I have a free second I am glued to
your website reading as many articles as I can, ideas
and anything else that you have to offer.

______________________________________________________

It s not normal that when on my lunch break I am glued
to your site because that is what I truly love reading
about.
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The reason why my businesses have been so successful is
because helping small businesses succeed is my passion
and what I love to do. It is obviously yours as well. I
can't wait for the day where I can do what I want full
time and build my own business up and not work for EY.

I spend at least 2 hours a day on your website. I am
planning on buying your book because I can't get enough
of the small business marketing ideas and strategies.

With the very spare time I have whenever I am free I am
constantly reading and learning and I always enjoy
reading your articles the most.

I came across your site about 3 weeks ago and it was
the best/worst thing thats happened to me because all I
want to do is absorb everything on your site. It also
makes me dream about the day I can finally do what I
truly love doing best!

I know you had worked at Arthur Anderson so I am sure
while you were there you'd dream of doing your own
thing as well.

I wanted to ask you how you finally made a move. My
biggest fear in life is to get stuck. Although I am
only 22 years old I feel each day I work at EY is a day
I waste not working for myself or doing something I
truly love. I love small business marketing and helping
businesses grow and wish there was an opportunity to do
that full time.

Just wanted to let you know I am a huge fan and would
love to be able to stay in touch with you as a mentor.

I have been extremely fortunate enough to meet and
develop some great relationships with extremely
successful entrepreneurs due to my businesses.

Keep up the great work and one day I hope to join you
in helping small businesses succeed full time!

I can keep going on with my email but I'll spare you,
however, I can assure you that you will never meet a
more passionate person about business than myself!

My warmest regards,

Adam Gilbert
President/Founder
Ultimate Discount Card, Inc
Office:  (516) 456-6248
Email: AGilbert@UltimateDiscountCard.com
Web: www.myUDC.com