IU senior operates online business

IU's Kelley School of Business is hailed as one of the nation's top business schools. But some students want to learn outside of the classroom things that simply can't be taught.\nJames Chappo, a senior in the Kelley School, is taking a crash course in business management. He partnered with pal and fraternity brother Chris Camerucci to develop Triton Nutrition, a Web-based nutritional supplement provider.\nLast winter Chappo brought the idea of starting their own company up to Camerucci, who graduated from the Kelley School in the spring.\n"We're entrepreneurs and always wanted to start a business," Chappo said. "I have always been an athlete and have been into supplements. When we looked online, we weren't really impressed (with other nutritional supplement providers). It looked pretty amateur, like an easy market to breach."\nChappo has worked with Web design since high school and looked into the prospect of starting a Web-based business. After evaluating the risk that would go in to it, Chappo and Camerucci decided to give it a go.\nThe two chipped in about $3,000 for initial costs and found they had broken into a easy and manageable market.\n"There wasn't a whole lot of start-up cost because I did all the Web development," Chappo said. \nChappo credits courses he has taken for helping him get the company started, especially noting the I-Core curriculum as beneficial. \n"We had the skills necessary to do it, which saved us a lot of money," he said. "We have alliances with our suppliers and have a direct-ship model. Instead of the supplier shipping to the store or warehouse ... we cut that whole process out."\nThis, Chappo said, is what makes the business so easy for them.\n"We have a lower overhead (and) no risk on inventory. We can get products to customers much quicker," he said.\nIn addition to Camerucci, who runs the company's office in Cincinnati, and Chappo, who takes care of business in Bloomington, Kelley School senior Tom Coulis handles the financial aspect of the company.\n"(Chappo) had this idea," Coulis said. "He was very passionate, and I saw it as a great opportunity."\nChappo said managing a business while taking classes doesn't add up to too much stress for him.\n"I can go to class at the business school and in between classes get on a computer, process orders, make phone calls, answer customer questions and inquiries, and make sure there are no problems," he said. "It took a lot of work to set up, but everything's taken care of -- we almost don't have to touch it except when there is a problem, like if something is out of stock or there is a customer inquiry."\nCoulis agreed the Internet makes running the company smooth sailing, for the most part.\n"We've been able to use resources in place for small businesses without having an infrastructure," he said. "(We can) put on an image that makes customers feel confident with purchases from our company."\nThe company has been successful so far, both Camerucci and Chappo say.\n"We're getting orders from overseas -- we have a lot of guys in Iraq ordering, which is very promising," Camerucci said.\nCoulis said being involved in the business has helped prepare him for the industry in a way no class ever could.\n"Not only can we incorporate (the work we do) into some class projects, but we certainly have taken on the perspective we've gained through the business," he said. "It gives us a huge insight into how larger companies operate. It's a valuable perspective most business students don't have right now and gives us a huge advantage."\nThough the company has experienced success, Chappo and Coulis plan to enter the job market after graduation, and Camerucci is currently getting into real estate.\nChappo, who interned with GE over the summer, said he would consider running Triton Nutrition in addition to having a full-time job.\n"I honestly haven't determined (what to do)," he said. "It would be possible to have a full-time job and do this as well, but on the other end, I feel I need some corporate experience. It (Triton Nutrition) will always be here and I have nothing but time."\nCoulis agreed.\n"I know I am looking to full-time opportunities. We've gotten the process down ... and have been able to develop the process most efficiently," he said. "We'll certainly be pursuing other career opportunities, but if we can take (this) to the level we want to take it to, we certainly will consider."\n-- Contact business editor Brittany Hite at bhite@indiana.edu.