Kickstart

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Rice Business alumni continue to play an active role in shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs.

This fall, Executive and Professional MBA students in Al Danto’s Entrepreneurial Pathways class heard directly from graduates who have built and led successful companies: Jacky Fischer ’11 (3 Men Movers); Omair Tariq ’16 (Cart.com); Kelly Ginn ’07 and Mark Daves ’07 (Green Span Profiles); and Ope Amosu ’14 (ChòpnBlok).

Alongside case studies written by Alaina Schuhsler ’25, these alumni described how they launched their ventures and the obstacles they had to overcome — from lawsuits with former employers to the challenges of acquiring and managing family businesses.
 

Hear from Ope Amosu ’14 on “Owl Have You Know:”

At press time, the class was preparing for the visit from Ope Amosu ’14, chef and owner behind the modern West African restaurant concept ChòpnBlok, heralded by The New York Times as one of 2025’s Best Restaurants.

Here are a few of the lessons visiting alumni have left with students. 

Jacky Fischer ’11 
CEO, 3 Men Movers

When Jacky Fischer’s father experienced a health dilemma in 2002, she acquired his company, 3 Men Movers, at his request. Familiar with the business and its employees, she transformed the small, family-owned operation into a multi-million dollar enterprise as its CEO — prioritizing value creation for both drivers and external clients. “When we were only prioritizing the big numbers, I realized we weren’t being true to ourselves,” Fischer says. “Focus on the individual customer and then you’ll find financial success.” By 2024, 3 Men Movers had become one of the top independent movers in the U.S., with over 100 trucks and 400 employees.

Omair Tariq ’16
Founder and CEO, Cart.com

When Omair Tariq ’16 founded Cart.com in 2020, he left a career spanning strategy, finance and C-suite roles. Seeing an opportunity in the mid-market segment and recalling entrepreneurial inspirations from his younger years, Tariq launched Cart.com — which is now valued at $1.68 billion and works with more than 6,000 brands around the world. “As an entrepreneur, you need to be upfront about what you’re willing to compromise on with your partners and investors,” he says. “Value alignment is crucial from the start.” 

Kelly Ginn ’07 and Mark Daves ’07
CEO and CFO, Green Span Profiles

For Kelly Ginn and Mark Daves, building Green Span Profiles into a leader in insulated metal panels has been as much about trust and timing as it has about strategy. Launching during a recession, they leaned on faith, family and a people-first philosophy — putting employees before customers — to navigate crises and grow in a highly competitive niche. “The biggest word for us is ‘trust.’ We built that at Rice and carried it every step of the way. The other word is ‘timing.’ You can’t force things. When the right opportunity comes, you have to take it.” By 2024, the company had surpassed $98 million in revenue and $21 million in EBITDA, establishing itself as one of the country’s leading IMP manufacturers.