When Aaron Dobron entered the Master of Business Creation (MBC) program at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business, he knew that he had a great business idea. Dobron is the co-founder of ArtCiel, which he describes as a “brand-new, state-of-the-art technology.” ArtCiel uses vertical wall printing to allow consumers to apply images and graphics directly onto wall surfaces, whether its drywall, glass, brick, or cement. As an undergraduate at the University of Utah, Dobron studied material science engineering and multidisciplinary design. He used this background to develop ArtCiel, and he also was involved in the Company Launch program, Rush to Revenue and GetSeeded Program at the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute. Entering the MBC program, Dobron wanted to make his company more marketable. “We have an amazing technology but need an effective way to showcase that to the world,” he explained.
The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute is one of Artceil’s clients. It has installed three murals at Lassonde Studios. The murals are illustrations designed by students in the Lassonde community. One is of team of small robots building a large robot, one is an outdoor landscape, and one is a reproduction of an exceptional whiteboard drawing the institute wanted to place permanently on the wall.
Aaron Dobron inspects the printer while installing a mural at Lassonde Studios.
Dobron is working hard to take his business to the next level. “One major goal is getting a marketing team together to showcase what this technology is capable of,” he said. He also wants to increase key resources, like the printers used to create the images and vans to transport products. Right now, the company is running on limited resources — one printer, one van, and partial operators. Dobron said the resources in the MBC program are “phenomenal,” and he wants to use this degree to grow his company.
Dobron said the unique approach of the MBC program was a perfect fit for his goals. He described the MBC as “the MBA of entrepreneurship” and said that it “provides resources and curriculum the MBA doesn’t offer.” For Dobron and other students launching startups, the MBC is tailor-made for their career path. “It teaches you to launch your own company instead of learning to lead somebody else’s,” he said.
Dobron said that the first cohort of the MBC has a unique energy. “If I were to sum it up in one word, it would be ‘excitement,’” he said. “Every day is something new. Every day is tweaking, changing and modifying just like a startup would.” This kind of hands-on experience makes the MBC program a unique educational opportunity. In just nine months, Dobron is learning practical skills — like finance and marketing — to grow ArtCiel, while also fostering relationships in the business community. “There’s a lot of great connections, both peer-to-peer and peer-to-faculty member,” he said. “Everyone has something to offer.” With exciting technology and help from the MBC program, ArtCiel — and Dobron — are on a path to success.
Learn more about ArtCiel at artciel.com.
