When Tim Schimming ’12, was considering whether or not to enroll in the Craig School of Business’ Applied Entrepreneurship class and compete for a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store, he knew just who to go to for advice – his big brother, Rob. Rob ’10, won an RMCF store in Lake Elsinore, Calif. in the 2010 competition and was ready to offer guidance to his younger brother.
“I told him, ‘Here’s what I’ve learned, here’s what to look out for,’” Rob said. “I gave him the positives and the negatives.”
Tim decided to take the class and won the competition in 2012. He selected the store in Huntington Beach, Calif., about an hour from Rob’s store.
Growing up, both brothers knew they wanted to own their own businesses someday. Rob said they have always bounced ideas off each other, so it was natural to continue to do that when Tim won a store.
Rob’s was the only store in the program that was in California, so it was helpful to Tim that Rob could give “California-specific” advice. Rob and his wife, Danelle ’10, also helped Tim and his wife, Lacey ’12, with inventory and on the store’s opening day July 1, 2012.
Both brothers are grateful that they could become entrepreneurs right out of college.
“It was a great opportunity. Being as young as we are and able to own our own business is great,” Tim said.
“It’s hard to say how much it means,” Rob said. “It’s a lot more than a job opportunity. You’re able to go straight from college to owning your own business and you have the support of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, the Craig School of Business and Steve Craig. It’s invaluable.”