BLOOMINGTON – Ivy Tech Community College alumnus, Ben Crandall, is now CEO and working full-time at his automotive customization company, Crandall Custom Concepts, LLC. Crandall graduated in 2017 with an Associate of Science in Business Administration. His degree is an Ivy Tech “Transfer as a Junior” degree program that is transferable to all public Indiana four-year universities, upon student admission.
Crandall enrolled at Ivy Tech immediately after high school.
“I wanted to get my basic courses completed at a smaller school,” said Crandall. “It made it easier adjusting coming straight from high school rather than going to a big university right after graduation. I was able to stay close to home and schedule my classes around my working hours.”
Crandall worked part-time at Auto Body Specialists of Bloomington while enrolled full-time at Ivy Tech. He always wanted to start his own business, and found resources at Ivy Tech that helped him launch Crandall Custom Concepts, LLC.
Ivy Tech’s Gayle & Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship helped Crandall with his business plan and connected him with other small business resources.
“My business is a custom automotive shop specializing in custom paint and off-road accessories,” said Crandall. “The Cook Center helped me in all my business endeavors. They helped me start all my LLC paperwork and form my business with the state of Indiana.”
The Center also helped Crandall prepare a business pitch to participate in the 2016 Duke It Out Business Pitch Competition. Although Crandall did not win the competition, he was able to launch his business while he was still a student at Ivy Tech.
“Trying to be a full-time student, work part-time, and build a business from the ground up was challenging at times,” said Crandall. “The late nights of writing estimates, sending countless e-mails, filing out dealer applications, or even in the garage doing the work, all after working on assignments after coming home from work each evening can push you to your limits. Sleep was optional.”
After graduating from Ivy Tech, Crandall continued to grow his business.
“Since graduation, I have transitioned into running my shop full time,” said Crandall. “The work was here and I ran with it, and have now been full time at my shop for over a year. My goal is to be the most reputable custom shop in the Midwest, at the least.”
For program information about business administration, visit ivytech.edu/business-admin. A complete list of “Transfer as a Junior” degree programs can be found at ivytech.edu/tsap.
For Crandall Custom Concepts, LLC, visit https://www.customconcepts.biz/.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
