Today's Entrepreneur: Cameron Leids

I won the very first pitch competition I ever did, Business Builders Club's Ideapitch at Ohio State, and I was also the only freshman in it.

One of the most frustrating things about entrepreneurship is how often things can change. You never truly know what will happen, so there is a lot of adjustment that you constantly need to be making. At the same time, I have never had a greater feeling than when that one little things you have been stuck on finally happens. It is personally rewarding knowing that you are helping people with the products you build.

1. Don't have your mind completely set on just one idea 
2. Take everyone's advice with a grain of salt 
3. Don't give up

While it is true I may not have the experience that many other entrepreneurs have, everyone has to start somewhere. While this is technically my first company, I have always had an entrepreneurial mindset while growing up. I used to sell things like candy and beef jerky to people at school (administration loved me). I also think it allows me to be more creative and more open-minded throughout the process of building something because I haven't necessarily done this before, so I won't always shoot something down right away.

I an currently a freshman at The Ohio State University.  About a month and a half after starting here, I needed to buy a football ticket for one of the games, and in the process of doing so, I realized that there was no convenient way to buy and sell things.  Then I came up with Buckets, the easiest way for students to buy and sell things to each other on campus.

I love being an entrepreneur because it allows me to be creative.  There is no set "right or wrong." It's all about trying something new, and making a difference while you do it.  

Prior to going to college, I went to Agoura High School in Agoura Hills, CA.  I was also a lifeguard at the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center for over two years.


Buckets is competing in the Splash Spring. The top eight of the competition will compete live on stage at Splash Spring on May 12 at Scottish Rite Center, Oakland. Register here.