20 July 2003
ASHEVILLE - At age 25, Brian Scheewe is the 'graybeard' of the group. His partner, Ryan Hodges, is 22, as is Scheewe's brother, Jason, and the master programmer, Chris Pittman.
The age of these entrepreneurs might put off clients at first glance, but when they talk with the young staff at Advanced Data and Network Solutions, "then we're golden," Hodges said.
Asheville's youngest high-tech start-up has been in business since April 1, but Scheewe and Hodges forged their first partnership at UNC Asheville in multimedia arts class about three years ago.
They collaborated on a class project and fast became friends. All through school, Scheewe and Hodges took on outside consulting jobs.
"As graduation approached, we said, 'Let's do something,' " Scheewe recalled.
On his part, Hodges always knew he wanted to run his own business.
"I like the idea of building something from the ground up," Hodges said.
Even before they graduated in May, they had opened shop on Merrimon Avenue with Advanced Data and Network Solutions. At their graduation breakfast, Hodges approached a classmate, Chris Pittman, to come on board as a database programmer.
"I had been thinking about leaving the area," said Pittman, who jumped at the chance to work with friends and remain in Asheville.
The company has focused on Web site design, using skills learned from the Multimedia Arts department at UNCA. They also offer databases, networks and server solutions. In addition, they are an authorized U.S. Cellular dealer.
But their strong point is in consulting and cost analysis.
"We try to become an employee of that company for as long as it takes so we can get a feel for the paradigm they're in and how we can improve that for them," Hodges said.
That approach has paid off, landing them a contract with Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care Inc.
"We looked at about six other companies, but there was something about their enthusiasm, and their knowledge about what they were doing impressed us," said Bruce Mulkey, a spokesman for the Asheville health-care provider.
"Their youth was a real asset," Mulkey said.
To improve the connectivity of the four urgent-care offices along with its rehabilitation services and corporate offices, the Advanced Data team recommended a fiber-optic network and a much different design than those offered by competitors.
"I was kind of surprised at the old-fashioned solutions some of them were providing," Scheewe said.
To stay abreast of the latest technology, Scheewe says he scans the top tech sites online each morning before he gets to the office.
"The industry changes really quickly. You have to keep up with everything," Scheewe said.
Both Hodges and Scheewe said they had no qualms launching into their own business since they came from entrepreneur families. Hodges is the son of Mike Hodges, who runs Boondock Manufacturing in Hendersonville. Scheewe's parents, Rusty and Nancy, work as financial consultants in the BB&T building in downtown Asheville.
Down the road, Hodges would like to see Advanced Data & Network Solutions become one of the top Asheville computer companies. Scheewe can see expanded locations and hiring more staff, but for now, business looks good for this start-up.
"I knew we were going to succeed when we looked at the books after the first two months, and said, 'Hey, if we keep moving like this, we'll be fine,' " Scheewe said.
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