Caleb Nelson

Whilst most other children spend their time dwelling on homework and hanging out with friends, Caleb Nelson was focused on launching Romeo Rickshaws, one of Cedar City’s most popular businesses. Romeo Rickshaws is a Shakespearean-themed pedicab brand that has become a staple of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. This business venture began when Caleb’s father was discussing how to increase foot traffic in the area around the festival, and Caleb, listening in, saw the opportunity immediately. In order to let this business idea come to fruition, Caleb had to overcome a parameter set by his father. He would have to raise half of the money that would be used for the start-up on his own. Where most people his age would be discouraged, Nelson persevered and, through the use of selling advertisements on the sides of the pedicabs of locally owned businesses, he raised the required money. Nelson had earned $5,000, and with his father providing the other half, the business was soon to be created. Through a model that balanced accessibility, fun, and fairness, he successfully ran his business. Not only was Nelson able to run his business effectively through the use of this model, but he also demonstrated an entrepreneurial identity by identifying opportunities where others did not, building partnerships, and having the drive to pursue his business venture. All in all, Caleb Nelson is the essence of what a young entrepreneur in today’s society should exemplify.