Featured Entrepreneur:
Bob Gaudian, Adjunct Professor, School of Management

The Patriot Entrepreneur recently caught up with Entrepreneur Robert Gaudian, and we asked him a few questions about his latest business venture. Mr. Gaudian is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Management and teaches entrepreneurship in the undergrad program. He is a media professional who has been involved in all aspects of content production and distribution and recently launched his fourth enterprise, a public relations firm targeting government and non-profit organizations. Past initiatives have included groundbreaking digital rights management systems for syndicating media content to newspapers, radio and television stations. Although he has raised venture funds for prior initiatives he is bootstrapping his current effort and has located his corporate headquarters in Fairfax City at the Fairfax Innovation Center, located at the Mason Enterprise Center.

Why did you want to start a business? I am actually a serial entrepreneur having started several companies prior to my current enterprise. Looking back I would say I caught the entrepreneurial bug early after starting a lawn care company when I was in my early teens. I've worked for both large and small companies, and in each case found that I really enjoyed the business development process. It is rewarding and fulfilling to be able to take an idea, develop it, sell it to a client and then launch it successfully into the market. Being at the helm of your own company gives you the ability to do this, unencumbered by the politics and processes that are often present in larger companies that impede the creative process.

What is your business? My current company, Mediaforce LLC, is a public relations firm that is now close to two years old. The company specializes in digital media production and distribution for government and non-profit public service campaigns. We have utilized our expertise in digital media technologies to create new cost-effective distribution channels for PSA's (Public Service Ads) at a time when traditional media outlets (radio and television) are carrying fewer PSA spots and their audiences are becoming more fragmented. In just a short time we have developed a reputation as innovators which has helped to propel our business forward quickly.

How did you learn about the Fairfax Innovation Center? I discovered the Center several years ago after attending a meeting at the facility with another incubator company that was, in fact, launched by a faculty member.

“It is rewarding and fulfilling to be able to take an idea, develop it, sell it to a client and then launch it successfully into the market.”
—Bob Gaudian, Owner, Mediaforce LLC

What made you want to incubate vs. stay in your garage? Well, for the first year I was a virtual client of the incubator which means that I had a mailbox, phone number and could use the conference rooms but did not lease office space. That changed in February of 2006 when I moved into my office on the first floor. I am now hiring new employees and adding additional office space. I knew that I needed to work from an office because I needed to have a dedicated work area. I am a big believer in networking and also felt that the incubator would facilitate this process for me. The move proved to be a wise decision as I currently have worked with five of the companies in the incubator on a number of projects. Three have resulted in sales and I am confident that more will materialize going forward. Finally, I hired my wife over a year ago to manage our client services group and she has always enjoyed working from our home office. We really enjoy copreneuring but we established early on that we would be more productive if we worked in different locations. It has actually become a part of our company mission statement to provide a flexible work schedule and environment in order to attract the most skilled individuals possible. We now have over ten contractors that assist with our IT, marketing and production projects and we are currently searching for another client services manager.

What services are you receiving from the Fairfax Innovation Center? We utilize the fully equipped and wired conference rooms, the receptionist, mailroom, office equipment, kitchens, office space and participate in the networking events.

How do you plan to expand and grow out of the incubation program? At this time our current clients have been providing as much work as we can handle. Our greatest challenge is to continue to add staff that will provide the same energy, creativity and uncompromising level of customer service that we have built our reputation on. As we add to our team there will be a point when growth will dictate that we operate in another location and graduate from the Innovation Center.

What advice would you offer other aspiring faculty who want to become an entrepreneur? I would say that there is no reason to put off acting on your idea any longer. Get started by becoming a virtual client of the incubator and start the process of networking and testing your concept on other potential partners and prospects. The other entrepreneurs in the facility are also a great source of support. I would welcome a conversation with any faculty member who has an interest in getting started.

If you would like to contact Professor Gaudian, he can be reached at: rgaudian@gmu.edu

To learn more about the Fairfax Innovation Center in the Mason Enterprise Center,
please visit their web site at: http://www.fairfaxinnovationcenter.org

Do you know of a Mason Faculty member with solid business experience who you’d like to see featured? If so, let us know by dropping us an e-mail patriote@gmu.edu.

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