Spencer Bramson can’t even count the number of advisors, teachers and mentors he had who said they didn’t see the value in Facebook or Twitter. Had he listened to them, he says he still might be sitting in class. But, he decided to drop out of Bentley during his sophomore year instead, and has since worked on several startups. He’s now the founder of marketing agency influencers@, and he’s only 22.
Growing up, Bramson thought he was destined to be in business, going to Bentley to “follow that passion.” Once there, he realized that was his opposite passion and started coming into the city to network. He soon met David Yaurus and together they started Buzz University, becoming the two youngest presenters at the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA). He had caught, what he calls, “the entrepreneurship bug.”
Yaurus eventually went on to become the marketing manager for Mr. Youth, and the two shut down Buzz U. But, Bramson had to make a choice to either go back to Bentley or start another company. He chose to start influencers@, figuring he could get back on track if all things failed. After being assigned to promote Mr. Youth’s College Fest, however, he knew he was onto something. In three hours, 800 students had signed up for the event. “That really fueled the fire,” Bramson says, and he now has 20 interns working under his wing.
At influencers@, they’ve incorporated an online and off-line component, trying to engage the 18 to 30-year-old demographic in a way that seems natural. They work on word-of-mouth campaigns, product sampling, street team promotions and more to drive sales for companies like CampusLIVE, SUMOskinny, Tier One Partners and PXT Money.
In the office, Bramson believes in Nerf guns, and is constantly looking for people who are eager to get hands-on and want to have that entrepreneurial startup experience. “We have that kind of style where we can get shit done, but still have fun doing it,” Bramson says, admitting he’s never wanted anyone to just sit and have to put together spreadsheets.
Although he’s “interested in the idea of finagling way into some sort of MBA program,” he still thinks he could be doing something more beneficial outside of the classroom. To Bramson, when it comes to business and understanding, there are the resources available to educate yourself without the high ticket price of going to school.
“I’d be graduating this year, and I’d still be looking at the clock to see if everything is over yet,” Bramson says. “I’m happy now. I’m engaged and educated.”
His advice to students who are considering whether they should stay in school or work on their startup?
“The first thing before you make any decision, make sure you are dedicated toward what you want to do,” he says, admitting that, at any point, the company could fold and you might not be able to go right back to school.
But, his second point: “Don’t ever let anyone say what you’re doing is not worthwhile.” Had he not followed that, he’d still be in school and would have never founded influencers@.
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