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Texas Entrepreneur Files
Dryken Technologies, Inc.
UT Connection: Ingrid Vanderveldt, MBA 96; Lyn Graft, MBA 95
Location: Austin and Knoxville
"I wanted to revolutionize the Internet," says Ingrid Vanderveldt, president and co-founder of Dryken Technologies, "and create something of value that would help people find more time to spend on things that are really important." Vanderveldt and co-founder Lyn Graft carry out that vision by developing software to help e-commerce retailers understand their customers, thus providing them with a unique, ultimate shopping experience.
"Hiring the right people to help you succeed is the most important asset you have as an entrepreneur," says Graft. They surround themselves with people who have passion, drive, creativity, smarts, a belief that they too can change the world, and a shared vision of the company. "Part of the advantage we have in the market is the relationship we have with our employees," Vanderveldt says.
Graft sees starting a business as one of the hardest, but by far the most rewarding, experiences he has ever gone through. "Put forth your entire effort and remember that if you are not excited about what you are doing, no one else will be." Vanderveldt counts her beliefs about success as her greatest asset as well as her greatest challenge. "You can do whatever you want as long as you really want it. When you are aligned with your vision the world pulls together to conspire to make your dream happen."
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