Brendan Caine
Editor’s Note: The Happy Beginnings series features recent College of Arts & Sciences graduates who are getting started in careers, graduate school and service.
In January 2017, Ohio University alum Brendan Caine ’15 leapt into the entrepreneurial world with the founding of Advanced Xposure.
Caine graduated from the College of Arts & Sciences at Ohio University with his B.A. in Sociology-Criminology and soon after started working for Pro OnCall Technologies.
The reasons behind his jump?
Through entry level sales, he learned how to get in the door just about anywhere on command. When he tried to share what he had learned and advance in his career, four potential employers told him they weren’t confident in his ability.
“The bright side about betting on yourself is that you determine your fate,” Caine says. “Being denied the opportunity to make a difference can get you fired up. How and where you channel that emotion is key.”
“Marketing, prospecting, and building relationships makes business fun, and when it is fun, it isn’t work,” he says.
He describes Advanced Xposure as the No. 1 influence organization in Cincinnati enhancing visibility and prospecting efforts for companies.
“Through utilizing technology and trusted relationships, our service is a solution for overcoming the challenges of lead generation, conversation rates, customer acquisition, and turnover,” he says.
His company acts as an extension to the client sales force, helping to create opportunities on which clients can capitalize. Their mission to add and connect value improves and accelerates as the AX network continues to grow more than 37,000, helping to expedite the sales process and increase conversion rates.
Summer Internship Program
This summer AX hosted an internship program – and seven of the 13 interns were Bobcats!
The interns set up meetings, facilitated business calls, and more during their 10 weeks at Advanced Xposure.
“Through this program, we have greatly expanded our social network, received on the job work experience, learned social media marketing, as well as enhanced our communication and business skills,” says Julia Kathman ’21, a Chemistry-Pre-Pharmacy major with a minor in Biological Sciences. “Advanced Xpsoure has enabled me to gain many opportunities in the business world by giving me the experience to work with others, therefore, opening doors to potential jobs in the future.”
Challenges Along the Way?
Yes!
Caine talks about his challenges quite candidly – and you can read about them on LinkedIn: “Presenting the value proposition correctly. Time and time again no one saw the potential value because I didn’t articulate it well. The passion and belief toward the solution being valuable always infected me. I learned ‘trust me’ isn’t what most Chief Financial Officers want to hear before signing.”
Overcoming challenges seems to propel him forward, though.
The AX Advisory Board now has seven members with more than 200 years of combined business and leadership experience.
His OHIO Experience
Caine views sociology as the study of people and points to the lessons learned about how to engage and interact as beneficial for more than a career in sales.
“The Ohio University experience was one I will forever treasure and the community is a powerful one. Like many, I had no idea what I wanted to do going into college, but Ohio University is a place that helps you find your place.”
Caine’s advice to current students: “Routine is critical and developing a work ethic that results in achieving short and long term goals puts no ceiling on your future. Social Interaction is just as important and learn from every engagement. The key to success is finding a happy balance. As my dad always says ‘Moderation’ – which applies to the weekends as well.”
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