 |
From left, former Interim Dean Gerald A. Navratil, Nicholas Aretakis '84, and Gary L. Jonas '66.
— Photograph by Jackie Pavlik
|
Entrepreneur Nicholas Aretakis '84, who became a Silicon Valley millionaire by the age of 30, shared his experiences with SEAS and Graduate Business School students on "Entrepreneurship and Opportunity in an Economic Downturn." He interspersed his practical advice on how to prepare for the future with his own work history, giving specific tips on topics as wide-ranging as "Avoiding Life's Pitfalls" to "Thinking Three Steps Ahead."
Aretakis, who is currently CEO of Arkayne, Inc., the next-generation Internet search engine, is also the founder of Pappi-Puppy and Pet Products International, the maker of humane dog leashes and harnesses-and the author of two books. Many of the tips shared with students came from his book, No More Ramen, a real-life survival guide for Generation Y'ers. He also hosts a similarly-named interactive Web site with free downloadable templates.
Aretakis's second book, published last year, applies analytical thinking and logic to matters of the heart. The book, Ditching Mr. Wrong: How to End a Bad Relationship and Find Mr. Right, gives objective standards for rating men and specific metrics to gauge the future success of a relationship.
The Isaacs-Jonas Entrepreneurship Lecture was created by Jonathan L. Isaacs '66, '67 and Gary F. Jonas '66 in 2001 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their graduation from SEAS. At the time, they were in the vanguard for advocating that SEAS students think entrepreneurially. Since that time, SEAS has established a minor in entrepreneurship and, most recently, created a four-year entrepreneurial experience available to all SEAS students.
Prior to the lecture, Jonas gave a brief tribute to his classmate and lecture co-founder Jonathan Isaacs, who died unexpectedly in 2003. Noting that Isaacs was the Class of 1966 valedictorian, Class co-president (with Jonas), editor of The Pulse, the School's newspaper, and winner of numerous awards at graduation, he called him "a Renaissance man" whose understanding of both numbers and the arts serve as an example for all SEAS students.
Watch