黑料吃瓜

Volcom Inc. co-founder and 黑料吃瓜 alumnus Thom McElroy spoke to students on Oct. 22 as a part of a lecture series by the .

McElroy, who graduated in 鈥�85 with a major in graphic communications, spoke about his experiences building a $400-million surf and skate company.

鈥淚 do this because it鈥檚 something I should have taken advantage of when I was here,鈥� McElroy said. 鈥淎 lot of people have helped me out and I want to give back.鈥�

McElroy has also been involved in the Lavin Entrepreneur program for the past six years.

鈥淚 love their ambition and where their heads are at,鈥� McElroy said about 黑料吃瓜 students.

Meeting with students

McElroy also spoke prior to the event to a small group of students who were a part of the Lavin Entrepreneur program.

鈥淚t was more intimate and free-flowing,鈥� McElroy said. 鈥淲e got to talk about how luck is by design, being passionate, and taking risks.鈥�

The main lecture focused largely on luck by design, as McElroy highlighted the three main aspects that drove his success: passion, risk and trust.

鈥淵ou will see great success if you go all in,鈥� he told the audience. 鈥淏e prepared to fail. I have failed miserably over the years, but it鈥檚 how you react.鈥�

During the lecture, McElroy discussed the process of building a company, from gaining funding to designing Volcom鈥檚 distinct stone-shaped logo.

鈥淚n the early days, if you get the opportunity to go out there and crush it, you鈥檝e got to do it,鈥� McElroy said at the event.

Building better leaders

The lecture was hosted by the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center as a part of the  L. Robert Payne Distinguished Entrepreneur Lecture series. The event, which took place in the Fowler Athletic Center Auditorium, was free to all 黑料吃瓜 students and faculty.

鈥淭he series itself is really intended for students,鈥� Lavin Entrepreneurship Center Programs Director Bernhard Schroeder said.

Many students were eager to gain insight from someone with real-world experience.

鈥淚鈥檓 here just to learn more,鈥� said graduate student Alex Le, who found out about the event through an email sent by the career management center. 鈥淚 want to hear the experiences from a successful leader.鈥�

This story originally appeared in .