Caldwell Student Named 'Entrepreneur of the Year'

Caldwell College sophomore David Reeth took first place in the 2012 NJ Collegian Entrepreneur of the Year Competition for his automotive detailing company Awesome Auto, LLC.

The competition is designed to recognize exceptional entrepreneurial skill and creativity among undergraduate students enrolled in the state's colleges and universities.

Reeth, a business administration major from Vernon, was honored at a ceremony earlier this month at Rider University. He began this business in 2004 as a seventh grader and has developed it into a successful mobile auto detailing service. 

“It was such an honor to receive this award. It was a summation of years of hard work,” he stated in a release from the college.

In 2011, along with his academic studies and being treasurer in the Student Government Association, David and his team worked on over 200 vehicles mostly in Northern and Central New Jersey. 

“Word-of-mouth advertising is a man’s best friend,” Reeth said.  

Reeth first became interested in detailing cars at 10 years old when his father let him clean his truck from his landscaping business. Then, his mom got a new car and he promised to keep it clean for her. From that point on, Reeth was hooked on the auto beautification business, teaching himself how to clean it all—exterior, interior, wax, the motor, the tires, etc.    

Asked what makes a successful entrepreneur Reeth replied, “honesty, serious dedication, sticking to your vision and living and breathing it—I see dirt everywhere.”  

His goal, he said, is to “create the ultimately clean car.” It has been helpful, he said, to be able to study business in college and at the same time practice it in the field. “I have used a large quantity of what I have learned as it relates to my business.”    

Reeth has future aspirations of franchising and even opening up to a regional, national market.

Associate Dean of the Business Division Professor Bernard O’Rourke said the department is very proud of Reeth receiving this award. 

“He is a wonderful young man and is very involved in the activities of our business department. He exhibits much maturity and leadership, while remaining disarmingly modest about his accomplishments. We recognized David’s caliber by inviting him, as a sophomore, to serve on our Business Advisory Council.”

Reeth said he is grateful for the continual opportunities to be able to learn from teachers and from customers.  

“You can learn from anyone," he said.

This is the second time in five years that a Caldwell College business student has received the award. In 2007, Justin Bolasci won first prize for his business, North Jersey Kettle Corn.

For more information on the competition, visit www.rider.edu.