Ryan Barichello – Enterprise Business, 2004 / Computer Systems Technology-Web Applications, 2006

2011 Entrepreneur Recipient

Graduating from both the Enterprise Business program in 2004 and the Computer Systems Technology-Web Applications Program in 2006 Ryan set out to start his own business. By 2009, at the age of 25, Ryan had a successful business with 3 employees and over 100 clients including the Ontario College of Health and Technology, the Burlington Sound of Music Festival, and XPolice Traffic Services. At LinxSmart he has implemented a process that allows businesses to directly access their own website at all times using “LiveTools” a LinxSmart created program that, “allows anyone regardless of their technical knowledge or web design skills, to have any degree of control over their website.”

According to Ryan, “since I studied business first, and then computers, it helped me grasp both ends of the business much better.” It was his education that gave him the well rounded knowledge and the practical skills needed to ensure success. Along with technical skills, Mohawk also provided him with knowledgeable mentors. He is thankful for the overwhelming support of the faculty at Mohawk both inside and outside the classroom, “They were always there to help with questions which were beyond the scope of the program. Note that especially Duane Bender who has gone beyond his expectations and provided us with help beyond the classroom with tips, suppliers and contacts.” LinxSmart has now been in operation for 6 years offering their clients a wide range of web development services. His business philosophy centers around “making web development simple and enjoyable,” by understanding that the development process can be difficult. Ryan has used his business to help non-for-profit organizations by creating websites for them. In 2009, Ryan was nominated in the Young Entrepreneur category for the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.

Ryan has also returned to Mohawk to speak to current students sharing with them his experiences with how to conduct a successful web development company and what they should take away from their time at Mohawk. Ryan thinks that, “as a graduate of Mohawk College in both the E-Business Program and Computer Science – Web Applications Program, it is important to share (his) achievements and experiences with the new students.”