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Nikki Minzenmayer is the CEO of KartWheel - a specialized transportation company established to transport students with disabilities from their homes to specific buildings on campus. The idea for KartWheel came to Nikki when she was taking an Entrepreneurship class at Leeds with Brad Warner. The class simulated a startup accelerator, and each student was asked to pitch an idea. After hearing all the pitches, seven would be chosen as the most viable options.

Nikki鈥檚 inspiration for her pitch - now KartWheel - came from her roommate who had a torn ACL at the time. 鈥淢y roommate was complaining about how difficult it was to get to class with her injury. I thought, 鈥榃hat about a service to help get her to class?鈥欌��. And so, KartWheel was born. Nikki鈥檚 pitch was chosen by her classmates as one of the seven, and from that point she was able to establish a solid team and begin to bring KartWheel to life.

鈥淏rad has been really awesome. Helping our team and as a personal mentor. I also found that the entrepreneurship trek to Austin was pivotal for me. Talking to entrepreneurs and listening to what they had to say was super inspiring. That experience will definitely stick with me.鈥�

Competing in the New Venture Challenge

鈥淎fter we received some validation from our classmates, we decided to take KartWheel beyond the classroom. We had heard about the New Venture Challenge from Brad and other faculty around Leeds.鈥� As of Tuesday night, Nikki and KartWheel鈥檚 co-founder, Nathan DePuy, competed and won the NVC General Track Finals and will compete in the Championship on April 3.听KartWheel听is looking to establish itself at CU,听expand to other schools within Colorado, and eventually be on campuses nationwide.

Favorite part of being an entrepreneur

鈥淚 really enjoy the excitement of it. I always get a little overwhelmed, but I think I have become addicted to that feeling. Every little win feels so good. You鈥檙e an artist and your business is your art.鈥�

Nikki describes herself as very actionable. If there is something she needs to get done, she will do it. Her drive and her ambition have allowed for her successes in the entrepreneurial environment. She also accredits her optimism and resilience for allowing her to continue to pursue her goals, even when difficulties arise.听The biggest challenge of buildin a business? 鈥淚 underestimated my own naivety. You take a big step forward and then a few steps back all the time. You just have to keep on keeping on because you dont know whats next. I鈥檒l get one thing done and add five more things to the to do list.鈥�

鈥淵ou can鈥檛 sit around and wait for things to happen to you, you have to make them happen鈥� Action creates action鈥�

One piece of advice

鈥淚f your dreams aren鈥檛 scaring you they aren鈥檛 big enough. I know it sounds cheesy but it鈥檚 easy to play it safe and stick to what鈥檚 comfortable. Don鈥檛 be afraid to have big dreams.鈥�