How a Student-Run Startup Scales Trust in the Campus Community

From Transfer Student To Startup Founder

When Nicholas Eisengrein transferred to the University of South Florida, Tampa, he faced a familiar dilemma: where do you go for a decent meal, a reliable barber, or a good deal when you're new on campus? "I didn't know where to go for the best prices or even where to get a haircut," he said. "As a transfer student, you're just trying to figure things out."

That simple frustration became the spark for 9Yaps, a student-run app that helps college students find local discounts on everything from food and drinks to salons and services. "I came up with the idea because I was an Uber driver," Nicholas explained. "A lot of my orders weren't going to campus, and I realized students just didn't know what was around them."

Spotting What Others Miss

Nicholas believes being a student is what makes 9Yaps work. "Our entire branding is for college students," he said. "We know what's relatable, when students are busy, and what kind of discounts they'll actually care about."

That insider understanding of student schedules, habits, and interests gives 9Yaps an advantage over outside competitors or corporate-run discount programs. "There are deals on the app that are just for USF students.

Tapping Into Campus Culture

To make 9Yaps feel like an organic part of student life, the team leaned into collaboration. They partner with clubs and student organizations, helping them promote events or sponsor food and beverages in exchange for brand exposure.

"It's mutually beneficial," Nicholas said. "We support their events, and in return, they help us reach more students. Plus, we get to make content that feels authentic to campus life."

The approach worked. Through a mix of partnerships, word-of-mouth, and relatable social media content, 9Yaps began to spread naturally across campus, proving that genuine community engagement often beats paid advertising.

Why Being Student-Run Matters

Unlike corporate-run platforms that focus on speed and profit, 9Yaps prides itself on listening, adapting, and staying connected to it's users. "We take time to get feedback from students, rotate deals, and update our app," Nicholas said. "We're not forcing anyone to download 9Yaps. We just tell them who we are, and if they connect with it, great! It's never pushy."

The genuine, student-to-student, and mission-driven approach has become the brand's identity. "A corporate version of 9Yaps wouldn't get that," Nicholas said. "They might rush for engagement numbers instead of building the brand."

Lessons, Pivots, & Advice For Student Founders

When asked what he would do differently, Nicholas doesn't hesitate: "I'd post more on social media earlier," he said. "Now we know what works: relatable content, consistent posting; but we had to figure that out through trial and error."

For other students thinking about launching something of their own, Nicholas offers one piece of advice: start small, test your idea, and prove there's demand. "Before we built the app, we started with the newsletters," he said. "Once that grew quickly, we knew we had something worth investing in. Always make sure your idea is something people actually want, before you put a lot of time or money into it."

As for separating his student identity from the company, Nicholas doesn't try. "I don't separate it at all," he said. "Being a student helps me connect with our audience because I am the audience. I understand what students want and what catches their attention."

Looking Forward

I asked what he'd do if resources were unlimited, Nicholas replied, "I'd build a team of content creators; people posting everyday across all platforms, maybe even one account for each college," he said. "That kind of energy would take 9Yaps to another level."

For now, 9Yaps continues to grow through collaboration, consistency, and connection. What began as one student's search for a good haircut has turned into a platform that bridges local businesses and the student body; proving that when you build with the community, not just for it, trust follows naturally.