A mentoring relationship between Alexander Nassief '16 and Sara Arnell '82  is what boosted his startup, Rum Dogs, into the top spot in the 2016 Kenneth A. Freirich Business Plan Competition, after he had fallen just short in previous years.

The first prize included $20,000 to help implement Nassief's groundbreaking process for aging rum in just six months (rather than five years) by maturing it in the ocean. As of last summer, Nassief reports, Rum Dogs 'is going quite well"; the funding enabled his company to triple production.

Arnell, a public relations professional based in New York City, has volunteered in the Freirich contest for several years.  Watching this year's competitors make their pitches, she felt, "I wanted to work with Alex. I had watched him for the past three years and had a good understanding of what he needed to break through."

Nassief says Arnell's guidance helped him win, filling a gap with "her expertise in branding, marketing, packaging, and selling." He adds, "I always felt that the cash prize was very enabling but would be squandered without proper guidance."

He worked with professors, peers, and alumni, including competition founder Ken Freirich '90—all of them exceedingly generous with their time and experience, says the determined young entrepreneur, a native of Dominica. That "diverse group of mentors," he says, "made what Rum Dogs accomplished far more possible. Each mentor of mine had a distinct style, but also incredible wisdom to offer."

It's a "two-way street," Arnell emphasizes. "The openness of the students to listen, learn, and refine their work is critical to the process. It's a real effort in coming together over a short time period to achieve a shared goal." The two communicated via texting, email, phone, and FaceTime.

Nassief credits Skidmore's "absolutely nurturing environment and community full of eclectic ideas" with exposing him to enriching resources that "made a world of difference" in his academic, personal, and professional trajectory. Arnell adds that the college's "great liberal arts foundation allows graduates to pivot and pursue anything they want."

For Nassief, the mentorship "validated a business idea." For Arnell, the teaming was an opportunity to "drive with a very singular purpose to win."  She concludes, "If you have had success in your career and have knowledge and expertise to share, pay it forward."—Helen Edelman '74