These 2011 Grads Are Already Successful Entrepreneurs

Giancarlo Massaro, Sacred Heart University

AnyLuckyDay LLC
Interactive advertising platform
Founded in 2009
2010 Sales: $50,000; 2011 Projected Sales: $75,000-$100,000

Giancarlo Massaro's business was inspired by a TV infomercial; not the product itself, but the idea that consumers might want to test out products before buying them. In 2009 he launched AnyLuckyDay.com, where he wrote product reviews and created contests for giveaways, with the hope of generating a large enough audience to attract advertisers. Eventually the site was live, companies were providing products to review, and traffic was growing. The only problem was there was still no money.

In 2010, he switched from a free model to a paid model and worked 18-hour days cold-calling companies to convince them to actually pay to be featured on the site. Interest was scarce and Massaro feared his new business might fail, but then he landed some key advertising spots which led to his first paying clients. "I have always wanted to own my own business and be my own boss," said Massaro. "While many of my friends are struggling to find jobs after graduation, I am able to work from home and continue to build and run my business."