October 15, 2008

5 Questions with Sean Belnick, Founder & CEO, BizChair.com

Sean Belnick, is the founder of BizChair.com, an online retailer and national wholesaler of office, home and school furniture.

Sean grew up in the age of the internet and first learned about e-commerce through eBay when he was 12. At the age of 14, Sean approached his step-dad, an independent furniture sales rep – and asked to put some of his products online to see if they would sell. Within months, Sean was receiving over 8,000 orders per month, too many for one 14 year old to handle. So Sean hired a couple of his friends, along with his mother, to come into his living room to help answer the phone. 

Following 9/11, the federal government called BizChair to make an order to replace the office furniture lost in the Pentagon. What they didn't know at the time was that they were ordering from a 15 year old. 

Within no time, the business had outgrown the living room as well as a rented office space. Today, the company has moved into a local warehouse, where they now employ more than 100 people. 

"Most employees think that it is 'cool' to have a young boss," Belnick says. "We have a more relaxed work environment, and it is not as stressful. Employees are also less intimidated and are more likely to come to me with ideas and their true feelings – which ultimately help the company."

Now 21 years of age, Belnick expects to graduate from Emory University Spring of 2009 with his degree in Business.

Watch Catalyst's Nicole Smith talk to Sean Belnick at the Top 25 Entrepreneurs & Ones to Watch Awards Event on October 2nd, 2008.

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