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Eight Chagrin grads team up with passion, vision
(by Sali McSherry - February 03, 2010)
Eight Chagrin grads team up with passion, vision
By SALI McSHERRY
From days of working in the hot sun spreading mulch together to investing money and creating philanthropic opportunities, a group of 2002 Chagrin Falls graduates is planning for the future.
As high school boys, they played sports together and some started a mulch business during the summers called Chagrin Falls Mulch Movers. They also kept in touch through their college years and now as young professionals in the world of business and finance.
While others in their mid-20s might still be in college mode and not contemplating 401k's or investing in the future, these eight men have a vision for long-term success.
They formed Envisioneight, which is founded on three pillars, said Matt Trinetti, who works in Chicago. They are prosperty and investing, knowledge and education and philanthropy, he said.
Their mission, his roommate and member Alex Budin said, is "to strengthen our relationships and make a positive impact through our passions for philanthropy, knowledge and prosperity."
The group is comprised of: Mr. Trinetti and Mr. Budin, Garrett Monda and Patrick Lynch, who reside in Charlotte, N.C.; Stephen Kuenzig, who lives in Palm Beach, Fla.; William McGibony, who resides in New York City; Michael Kennedy, who lives in Pittsburgh; and Jeff Miller, who lives in Portland, Maine.
They recently started a scholarship fund and will issue their first $500 scholarship this spring to a Chagrin Falls senior. They hope to increase the amount over the years.
All of their parents still live in the Chagrin Valley and they see each other at the holidays. This year, the group volunteered at Hamlet Village in Chagrin Falls together at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Through monthly conference calls, members take turns giving presentations about the business they're in and discuss investment opportunities and philanthropic endeavors. "We all have a passion for business," Mr. Monda said.
Over the recent Christmas holiday, they met with William Cody, who started an investment club with his high school pals in the early 1950s that is still in existence. The group gets together for weddings and events, such as at a NASCAR race in Charlotte in 2007, when the idea of forming Envisioneight was sparked, Mr. Monda said. What started as an investment club buying stocks is turning into something greater, he said.
In the future, they're considering the possibility of buying real estate, perhaps a vacation home they could share as well as rent out, Mr. Monda said. They may market a product and use the revenues generated to make further investments.
In 2002, Mr. Trinetti's father, who is in the landscape supply business, suggested his son get his friends together and start a business moving mulch. With a few corporate clients, the business soared, with $25,000 in revenue the first summer, Mr. Monda said.
They found they could work together well, Mr. Trinetti said. While there were sometimes challenges and issues to be resolved between each other, with mutual respect and open communication, they found a dynamic that worked.
"We're only as powerful as the weakest link," Mr. Budin said.
They developed a strong work ethic and found their business grew significantly due to referrals, Mr. Trinetti said.
The group realized "how collectively powerful we were," Mr. Budin said.
Mr. Monda said the group currently "is working on the following initiatives: volunteering, product development, industry education, scholarship, Web-site development and future business ventures."
Growing up in Chagrin Falls, Mr. Trinetti said, he and his friends had a lot of support from their parents and community. The successful people they've been fortunate to be around have influenced them, he said. "Each of us is inwardly driven to succeed." This motivation, combined with the bond of friendship they share will make a positive impact, he said.
For more information about Envisioneight call (440) 941-2338. To donate to the scholarship fund, send checks to: Chagrin Falls Alumni Association, Attn: Envisioneight Scholarship Fund, 400 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls 44022.
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