Ben Sawicki on the left with his brother Austin.
Bryant University senior marketing major Ben Sawicki has done something that most students will never do – at least not in their undergraduate! He has begun his own business, offering services in social media, content creation, SEO, and website design.
Ben says that subconsciously, he’s always done what is now BaS Marketing – he’s just never put a name to it. From interning, working with different companies, and helping friends throw around ideas, Ben has always loved marketing. He has always lived by the quote “You miss 100% of the shots you never take,” by Wayne Gretzsky which is what pushed him to start his company.
“I just told myself to go for it,” said Ben. “To set up a website and start building my brand to showcase the work I’ve done, and as a landing page for new, potential clients.”
Already, BaS Marketing has clients. The biggest client so far is Brewski Bandz, a company founded by Bryant alum Matt Kaiser. Their relationship began during alumni weekend when Matt approached Ben asking for web marketing help.
“Working with Matt has given me the opportunity to show myself I love working with clients and this digital marketing consulting world,” said Ben. “Since last fall, we’ve launched a new website, have integrated our social media tactics, and are currently working on two brand ambassador programs.”
This partnership between BaS Marketing and Brewski Bandz has exponentially grown both brands in only six months.
Ben couldn’t have done it alone, though. He credits Bryant for giving him the opportunity to start a company for himself. Seeing Bryant’s entrepreneurial spirit and watching so many of his peers start businesses, Ben had the confidence to try it out as well. He says that Professor Potter has been an asset to him, assisting with marketing materials and giving insights into the consulting world, pitching clients, and so much more. He said Professor Potter has “easily been my biggest mentor in this process, along with the clients I’ve worked with so far, as well as my parents and good friends.”
Ben is lucky to have a team of supporters as he is still a student. He says that balancing everything has become “insane.” Between five classes, two internships, intramurals, and working with Dr. Attaran to lead a team of students to build a social media marketing agency within the Bryant Marketing Association, it’s hard to believe that Ben has any time left to begin his entrepreneurial venture. But it’s totally worth it for Ben.
“I love it,” he said. “I love marketing and exploring how marketers find and exploit the attention of their target market, and I love being busy. It’s the perfect mix of work, fun, and school (in that order, lately…) and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Despite the fact that Ben has accepted a full-time job with Techtronic Industries (TTi) beginning this summer, he plans to continue working with the clients he has as well as continuing to acquire new ones. Ben is also looking forward to the opportunity to give back to Bryant by bringing on students as interns to write content and assist with social media tactics as his company grows.
To learn more about Ben Sawicki and BaS Marketing, check out his website and follow him on Twitter!
@BaS_Marketing
@BASawicki