“Every time I have lunch with an Acton teacher, we don’t talk about the stock market; we talk about our passions. This is what makes Acton unique.”
Brandon Willard '06
Credentials:
- Chief Operating Officer, DisplayPoints, Inc.
- Marketing Manager, TippingPoint
- MBA, Acton MBA in Entrepreneurship; BA, History and Economics, Austin College
Fresh out of college at the tender age of 22, Brandon Willard was the youngest member of Acton’s Class of 2006. Just one year later, Brandon is now running his own business. Fearless, and inspired by one of his most valued lessons learned, he confidently and gladly recalls, “I learned that not knowing everything can be beneficial.”
Brandon’s post graduation journey began with a common first step – the job hunt. He was becoming quite frustrated however, “Companies seemed to have a problem with my age”, and as the frustrations began to mount, Brandon went to see a man who was often able to lend a hand of guidance when it mattered most, his mentor and former teacher, Greg Fitzgerald. “Every time I have lunch with an Acton teacher, we don’t talk about the stock market; we talk about our passions. This is what makes Acton unique.” This particular conversation turned out to be no exception, and in fact a new business plan was born for DisplayPoints, Brandon’s now new company, a maker of digital advertising tabletop displays. Shortly after he began to meet with Greg, he accepted a position at TippingPoint, a high-tech network security company, while Greg advised him on his side venture.
Using the Acton business model, Brandon is now enjoying great success, having built and launched his company in an incredibly short period of time. His tabletop units are currently in three Austin restaurants, with seven additional locations in the works. Advertisers from several industries have shown serious interest. “One of the biggest challenges I am facing now is how to deal with day-to-day activities while still focusing on long-term strategies,” Brandon admits.
Brandon discovered his entrepreneurial potential during college while volunteering for the non-profit, Young Life. “I was working on a new way to start Young Life chapters in lower income communities, but at the time I did not know enough to bring my ideas to fruition.” Today, using the skills and lessons he assembled at Acton, Brandon is once again pursuing this venture and is excited about the prospects it presents. “The greatest thing Acton has taught me is that pursuing your calling is the most important thing in life, and that it is even possible to make a little money doing it.”
Brandon’s early career frustrations are long gone, and have been replaced by the calming energy of a most worthwhile pursuit – one’s calling.
