Ever get sick of going to the typical spots like Charley's and Rick's on the weekends? Although Tim Lewis, a junior in the B-school, isn't 21 yet, he's definitely noticed this trend. Ann Arbor has much more to offer in the nightlife realm than just South U. bars, and that's why Lewis came up with the idea for annarbortonight.com, the winning pitch for the Local Business category. The nightlife and entertainment website, which implements Web 2.0 functions in its structure, is designed for Ann Arbor residents to use as a resource for anything and everything that happens in Ann Arbor after dark.
LM: How do you see this site affecting U of M students and campus life?
TL: It will definitely give students the potential to change the way they look at going out. Hopefully it will open up new horizons to lesser known events, bars, and even restaurants.
LM: In an ideal world, what are your ultimate goals for annarbortonight.com?
TL: Ideally, the majority of 18-24 year olds in Ann Arbor would constantly check it for concerts, shows, and places to go. Also, tons of businesses would be advertising and updating their own sites to get students to go there.
LM: So, the site is based on Ann Arbor. Are you interested in staying here to pursue the project long term?
TL: I'm interviewing for stable jobs right now, but there's a potential that I would look into it. The panel of judges from the 1000 Pitches competition thought it was a good idea, so that makes me feel good about it. I'll definitely keep it in the back of my mind.
LM: How did being a student at U of M influence your pitch?
TL: I've had experience working with students from other colleges on projects similar to this and I think I know better than ever that being an entrepreneur is risky, but I understand how risky it is. I've learned to do a thorough investigation before I go through with anything.
LM: What advice would you give to another U of M student with an idea and no clue what to do next?
TL: If you've got an idea, be very careful. The potential for success is incredible, but always be conscious of the risk and do your homework.