Whenever an idea comes to him, Ryan Krebs writes it down.
Programs, screenplay plots or business plans, Krebs records them all. If an opportunity arises, the fourth-year political science student tries to make his ideas into reality.
Now at UCLA, the Rieber Hall resident assistant recently transferred one of his ideas from a written page to a Web page. This past summer, Krebs developed a website to help UCLA students to sell items to fellow students.
His website, theUnifieds.com, acts as a UCLA-only Craigslist. The website’s title combines the words “university” and “classified,” and is exclusive to UCLA-affiliated students, faculty or alumni.
The idea for theUnifieds was sparked in Krebs’ first several weeks at UCLA when he tried buy several items for his dorm room. Krebs quickly realized the majority of classified website listings were too far away for him to reach without a car.
“Walking up Janss Steps last year, it occurred to me, “˜What if there was a classified website just for UCLA students?'” Krebs said.
The website is broken down into 11 categories which people can post under, ranging from items for sale to help wanted postings.
Postings do not necessarily have to be students selling items. A section allows UCLA-affiliated clubs to post messages.
Krebs’ ideas attracts similarly entrepreneurial thinking students, like fourth-year political science student Mikey Singh.
The two hold brainstorming sessions to throw out ideas at each other.
“Any time one of us had a good idea, we’d get together and strategize,” Singh said. “We had ones that would go through the night until 3 or 4 a.m.”
These ideas include applying to host their own political show on UCLA Radio and start a company after graduation that would help local politicians campaign.
Krebs first started seriously developing the idea for theUnifieds through his entrepreneurial fraternity, Sigma Eta Pi.
He also hopes to harness the help of those who share his other interest, politics ““ Krebs ran as a write-in candidate for mayor in his hometown of Moorpark and served as student body president of Moorpark Community College.
He met Adam Swart, third-year political science student and chief of staff in the Undergraduate Students Association Council president’s office, through USAC campaigning last year. Swart said USAC may partner with theUnifieds in the future.