By Jade Garrido, Altitude Accelerator Marketing/Communications Intern
You graduate from university.
You search for a job. And you search. And you search. And you search. But you need more experience. More ideas. More of an “edge.” What makes you different? Better? Superior? So, you tweak your resume and you apply and apply and apply until your inbox is muddled with leads and interviews and rejections.
Finally, you’re hired for that nine to five. It’s comfortable. It’s safe. It’s a job.
When Bill Hennessy graduated from Western’s Ivey League School of Business in 2006, he didn’t just settle for “a job”, he changed his life. Now, Hennessy owns four consolidated chemical companies, and is launching a green label hydrogen sulfide removal product called H2Sorber.
You’re probably wondering, what does H2Sorber do, exactly?
H2Sorber removes toxic and corrosive gas (H2S) found on oil fields, household waste/recycling fields and in wastewater. Unlike other H2S removal products, H2Sorber goes beyond masking toxins. On application, the product goes through a micro bonding process that permanently eliminates all traces of poisonous H2S in air, water and gas.
It’s science, it’s life saving, it’s entrepreneurial.
Hennessey was recently awarded $30,000 from the SmartStart Seed Fund. The program targets entrepreneurs between the ages of 18-29 to help grow their technology or innovation based business.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” same old, same old, right? But as the words tumble off your tongue and echo in your ears, listen to them: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Hennessey says that without the resources and information provided at the Altitude Accelerator, “we most likely wouldn’t have pursued this opportunity. James Sbrolla and the Altitude Accelerator team have been very supportive through mentoring our team and making introductions to customers, sales reps and funding sources.”
And the growing and learning doesn’t stop. In the last quarter of the year, Hennessey hopes to hire an expert sales representative to help bring the product to market through tests, demos and meeting key buyers. In 2016 he wants to narrow his market focus and gain more credibility behind the technology of H2Sorber. Overall, Hennessey’s plan is to expand the business and hire additional team members to increase sales in target markets.
Hennessey is a person. Just like me. Just like you. But, he didn’t just settle for “a job”, he changed his life.
If you enjoyed the success story of H2Sorber, have a great idea of your own, and wonder how you can start your own business then visit us at www.riccentre.com and stay on the lookout for our upcoming events.
