Nihat Strider has attended 17 different schools since he started kindergarten.
His dad’s job moved the family around, and not once did the 25-year-old UF aerospace engineering senior have the chance to attend a school dance at any of them.
“When I came to UF, I wanted to organize a ball,” he said.
So he did that, and now he’s taking it even further.
With the help of about 20 friends and $2,000 in startup funds from his dad, Strider created Nihat’s Events in September. His first official event will be Final Fright Night, a Halloween party scheduled for 10 tonight at The Vault NightClub. General admission is $10.
It may be the company’s debut, but Strider is no stranger to the Gainesville party scene.
Last year, he organized a masquerade ball for his 24th birthday. He rented out 101 Downtown, secured a limousine and handled the music.
“People had to come in gowns,” Strider said. “We want people to feel like they are part of the
theme.”
He took this semester at UF off and spends about 20 hours a week working from home.
“I want all my events to cater to students’ needs,” Strider said. “Like theme parties and house parties but bigger so that everybody can enjoy.”
Jamie Kraft, director of UF’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, said that he has seen an increasing amount of students launching their own businesses. He views this as a result of the lack of job opportunities in the economy and the spotlight that has recently been placed on entrepreneurship as a career path.
“Entrepreneurs come from all walks of life,” Kraft said. “It’s not just business students. It’s people who recognize opportunities in the market. Essentially, they are problem solvers.”
Strider plans to grow his company. He wants to produce an event every month for now, but he’s looking at bringing Nihat’s Events to other Florida cities like Tampa.
“I see myself hosting internationally,” said Strider, who has lived in four different countries.
