*This story contains a correction
Whitworth alumnus Skyler Reep began his business career by secretly selling cigars out if his room in McMillan Hall.
According to Reep’s Web site, “every time students bought a cigar from Reep, they also received a complimentary matchbook reading ‘PEER Enterprises Cigars, Mac#303.’”
PEER – Reep spelled backward – is now the name of a successful company*. Reep founded PEER Enterprises, LLC, at the age of 23 and is currently the owner and CEO of the business, which is located in Jackson, Wyo. He also recently published his first book, “Luck-Struck: How to Take Control & Create Your Own Luck.”
Reep grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and graduated from Whitworth in 2005 with his bachelor’s degree in international business.
“I never wanted to be an entrepreneur,” Reep said, adding that the reason for it was his father’s bad experiences in the same profession. “But I have always been somewhat creative, so the business just kind of started happening.”
Dale Soden, vice president for planning, had Reep as a student in one of his history classes at Whitworth.
“I didn’t think of him as a business student, but it doesn’t surprise me that he has a[n] ... entrepreneurial spirit,” Soden said. “Skyler is bright, inquisitive and liked thinking outside the box.”
Reep wrote his book after observing a lot of people who were constantly depressed, sick or otherwise self-defeating, he said.
“I found that the mood you’re in really affects your whole life,” Reep said.
In “Luck-Struck,” Reep takes a close look at the mechanisms of luck and presents a step-by-step plan of how people can change their attitude, actions and ultimately their lives, according to Reep’s Web site.
In short, it is for people who want to improve their own luck.
Reep relies on a definition of luck that comes from first-century Roman philosopher Seneca: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
That quotation provides the basis for the message of the book, Reep said.
“The great thing about defining good luck in this way is that it places the responsibility for your own luck squarely on your shoulders,” Reep writes in his blog. “You are responsible for your own preparation as far as education, motivation and determination. You are also responsible for your own opportunities, and I can guarantee they won’t come knocking on your door as you waste the afternoon watching television.”
Reep researched philosophy texts and books on luck, and he interviewed both people that are considered “lucky” and people that are viewed as “unlucky” to find material for his book, he said.
Reep came up with a variety of methods that he considers the secret to ending bad luck and starting a life of fullness and happiness, according to the Web site luck-struck.com.
“The ‘Luck-Struck’ Method is the solution to ending bad luck, avoiding tragedy, dodging disaster and becoming richer, better looking, healthier, more popular and happier than you have ever been!!!,” according to the Web site.
“Luck-Struck” was released on Friday, Feb. 13, and is currently available on Lulu.com.
Contact Asmara Anyan at asmara.anyan@whitworthian.com.
*In the original article, it was stated that PEER was a billion-dollar company. This statement was not true.
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