Step into our dynamic Entrepreneurial Summer Internship (ESI) Program, where ten remarkable student teams are granted a transformative summer job opportunity. During the season, they will have the opportunity to unleash their entrepreneurial spirit, crafting businesses from scratch, and accessing top-tier mentors, educational workshops, and a generous stipend. Meet our entrepreneurs and discover what inspires them and fuels their journey.
Meet Omar Alajrami, Founder of SmartRevu
What does your company do?
SmartRevu aims to redefine how businesses connect with their customers. Our company produces NFC (Near Field Communication)-enabled stands, which serve as a convenient and interactive way for businesses to advertise a targeted webpage to their customers, encouraging them to complete tasks such as leaving a Google review or accessing business catalogues and menus. Our product’s primary function is to help businesses boost their SEO rankings on Google and their visibility to the public.
What drew you to entrepreneurship?
My entrepreneurial journey began when I was just 10 years old. My father, an entrepreneur himself, would often take me to his office and allow me to attend many of his meetings. This early exposure ignited my passion for business and set the foundation for my dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Over the years, I've traded snacks at school, sold cars, started an online personal training business, and launched my latest venture, SmartRevu. Through these experiences, I've found a sense of fulfillment in entrepreneurship that nothing else has given me.
Elaborate on your business venture. What problem are you solving, and what is your unique approach?
Business owners are starting to understand the importance of Google reviews. A study showed that 92% of people check Google reviews before visiting a business or buying a product online. Currently, business owners mainly rely on the goodwill of their customers to leave a review without being asked to. Even when they do ask, most people say they will leave a review when they get home and forget because it takes too long to scavenge the internet, find the review page and submit a review on the spot. With an NFC chip, customers can tap their phones and be instantly directed to the business review page in under 10 seconds. Aside from Google reviews, SmartRevu is digitizing the menu experience, helping customers save time and business owners save money.
What are you hoping to accomplish over the summer at ESI?
My main goal for joining the ESI program is to grow my business in the Southern Ontario region. The mentorship and information provided will be crucial in helping me reach this goal. I also want to expand my network and meet like-minded people who share my entrepreneurial vision.
If your business had a theme song, what would it be?
Roy Jones Jr. - Can't Be Touched
Who is your biggest entrepreneurial inspiration?
One of my biggest entrepreneurial inspirations is Elon Musk. His ability to innovate across various industries, from electric vehicles with Tesla to space exploration with SpaceX, is incredibly motivating. I deeply admire and strive to emulate Musk's vision, determination, and resilience in facing challenges.
I highly recommend Allan Dib's book The One-Page Marketing Plan for aspiring student entrepreneurs. This book offers invaluable insights into building a successful startup through mastering the art of marketing. It's a must-read for anyone looking to attract and retain customers properly.