John Costello, an exceptional student at the University of St. Thomas, is creating a buzz with his reselling venture. At 20 years old, Costello successfully owns West Metro Solutions, a business focused on dealing in new, used, and refurbished office cubicles and furniture. His story not only reflects his entrepreneurial drive but also imparts a crucial lesson to budding business leaders—persistence yields success.
The Genesis of West Metro Solutions
Costello embarked on his entrepreneurial journey three years ago with West Metro Solutions, a one-man operation that focuses on repurposing discarded office furniture. In an interview with FOX 9, Costello highlighted a staggering statistic: “17 billion pounds of office furniture is discarded every year in the U.S., and 80% of that is thrown away.” This revelation became the inspiration for his business.
The core of West Metro Solutions lies in its commitment to sustainability and affordability. Costello shared that the company refurbishes office furniture by replacing old fabric with new, giving the items a fresh look at a fraction of the cost. This approach not only contributes to reducing furniture waste but also makes quality office furniture accessible to a broader audience.
Embracing Failure and Maintaining Persistence
Despite the challenges of balancing academics and running a business, Costello proudly states that his company is thriving, having achieved over a million dollars in sales. Costello acknowledges that success often comes hand in hand with failure. He encourages aspiring business leaders not to overestimate the difficulties but rather to adopt a mindset of perseverance.
Drawing on his own experiences, he emphasizes the importance of taking small steps and gradually building momentum. “It’s all about, you just wake up and you say that I’m going to pick up a shovel and I’m going to ask my neighbor if I can shovel their driveway, and then you just keep doing that,” said Costello.
