They endure the same juggling act as most University students, balancing multiple jobs, social lives and class.
But a team of six University undergrads are anything but little fish in a big sea.
They are Big Fish, rising presentation specialists who work not only in Louisiana, but across the nation.
Their youthful approach to running a company boasting clients like Blue Cross, Raising Cane’s and the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce has made a mark in less than a year.
Big Fish assists companies in making presentations, whether it’s giving advice, designing presentations or making films.
The firm hatched in February 2011 after Kenny Nguyen, marketing junior and Big Fish CEO, was at a meeting with a Fortune 500 company that didn’t impress him.
“It was the worst presentation ever,” Nguyen said.
He said he always had a knack for presentations, and after training a critical eye, Nguyen started Big Fish with a partner who is no longer involved. The rest of the team would join soon after.
Nguyen said the business runs under a corporate structure during semesters. Every member of the Big Fish team is a full-time student at the University, and they function through different departments to finish projects while going to class.
“Everybody is good,” said Sam Claitor, graphic design junior. “We take what everyone is good at and combine. It’s a team job. It all ends up fitting together like a puzzle.”
Claitor, who heads the graphic design department, said most of Big Fish’s work is done under pressure when clients ask for a project with short notice.
“But we’re not afraid of saying no,” Nguyen said.
The team put its youthful side into the spotlight in December with a series of humorous Web videos they created focusing on Luke Jones, mass communication sophomore. Made in the style of television comedy “The Office,” the videos depict Jones’ tribulations as Big Fish’s newest intern.
“The videos also showcase our creative abilities, and we send them out to all of our clients,” said Gus Murillo, biological sciences sophomore and Big Fish account manager.
The Big Fish team members were the first University students to participate in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, where they were finalists.
Big Fish’s reach now extends past Louisiana, with clients in New York, Washington, D.C., and even Argentina.
“Louisiana is our No. 1 client base, and New York is our No. 2,” Nguyen said.
He said no nearby companies offer services to compete with Big Fish, and the company’s services are needed in Louisiana.
The team is now taking on new ventures, including working on an app and doing voice-overs for Web seminars and tutorials thanks to team member Drew Reilley, graphic design senior.
But despite constant work and national success, the Big Fish team remembers to take time being young.
“It doesn’t feel like I’m coming to work,” said Phil Roberts, communication studies junior and Big Fish team member.
Murillo said the key to Big Fish’s success and expansion thus far has been time management, a necessary skill when working as a full-time student.
“But being a student is never an excuse,” Roberts said.
 
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Contact Brian Sibille at [email protected]