Portlight

Portlight is an e-retailer that was founded in the college dorm rooms of Quinnipiac University by a group of ambitious and curious entrepreneurs. Interested in the potential of selling goods through the Internet, one of Portlight’s cofounders began purchasing textbooks from students on campus at prices higher than the college bookstore and selling them via Amazon.com’s marketplace. After experiencing success selling textbooks, the team saw potential in two new categories to Amazon.com: baby products and toys. After graduating from Quinnipiac University eager to follow their passions, the team relocated to Orlando, Florida where one of its cofounders was accepted into Rollins’ MBA program. As the team learned more about each other, the e-commerce industry, and the Portlight drop ship business model, they focused on expanding into new niche industries through the formation of authorized relationships with manufacturers and distributors, cultivating a unique company culture, and recruiting similar minded individuals. Building off of its product selection and target market, it chose to expand into the home, outdoor, and sports product categories. The Portlight team is a dedicated group focused on the potential of e and m-commerce and improving the shopping experience for customers around the world via the Internet. The team brings together a unique set of skills that allows the company to eliminate waste, focus on growth, and strive toward its vision. As Portlight continues to write its story, it takes time to appreciate where it came from and evaluate how it can continue to improve and learn from the past.