| I recently interviewed Rafferty Pendery as part | | | | there and actually get your hands dirty working in |
| of a series of articles I'm doing on young | | | | one or more documented scientific expeditions." |
| entrepreneurs. | | | | Q: "Why aren't you satisfied to just be a tourist |
| Mr. Pendery is the CEO and founder of two | | | | and take the cruises and guided tours?" |
| successful, fast growing companies. In 2006 he | | | | A: "Being a tourist has never appealed to me. I'm |
| started 98th Street Clothing Company and in | | | | not the kind of guy who likes to stand on the |
| 2007 he started Studio98, a web design and | | | | sidelines and watch. I prefer to actively participate |
| development company. In previous articles, I've | | | | in whatever activity I'm pursuing. I guess that's |
| explored his two very successful businesses. In | | | | why I could never be satisfied working for |
| this article I want to find out how Mr. Pendery | | | | someone else. I like to create my own game and |
| spends his time when he's not wearing his CEO | | | | be an active participant in that game." |
| hat. | | | | Q: "What kind of field research have you done so |
| Q: "Mr. Pendery when you're able to get away | | | | far?" |
| from the office for a while, what do you like to | | | | A: "Recently I was part of an official NASA |
| do to relax and unwind?" | | | | exploration. I was the crew chief for a hot air |
| A: "I actually have many other interests besides | | | | balloon team. My team's mission was to test the |
| my business ventures. I play the drums, fly small | | | | feasibility of doing thermo graphic imaging from a |
| aircraft, crew for hot air balloons, go skydiving | | | | lighter than air craft. We spent long hours |
| and recently I've been doing a lot of scuba diving. | | | | crisscrossing the Mojave Desert in Southern |
| I'm also actively working on projects for my | | | | California. The data we collected in this mission will |
| application to the Explorer's Club." | | | | be used by NASA for further research on finding |
| Q: "I've heard of the Explorer's Club. It's a very | | | | life on Mars if it does exist. Besides leading the air |
| prestigious organization. Tell me more about this | | | | balloon team, I was asked to design the |
| organization. | | | | commemorative patch that will be given to all the |
| A: "I've wanted to be a member of the Explorer's | | | | people who participated in this mission. It was |
| Club since I was a little kid. A lot of the heroes I | | | | extremely gratifying to participate in this country's |
| had growing up were members of this | | | | efforts to secure a foothold on other planets for |
| organization. The Explorer's Club is a professional | | | | the benefit of all mankind." |
| society dedicated to the advancement of field | | | | This desire to create their own game and roll up |
| research, scientific exploration and the ideal that it | | | | their sleeves and get their hands dirty making |
| is vital to preserve the instinct to explore. The | | | | their dreams come true is a trait I found in many |
| mission of the club is to encourage scientific | | | | of the young entrepreneurs I've interviewed for |
| exploration of land, sea, air, and space. To qualify | | | | this series. |
| for membership you must carry out or assist in | | | | In my next interview with Mr. Pendery I'm going |
| field science expeditions to study unknown or little | | | | to delve deeper into his unique business model |
| known destinations or phenomena in order to gain | | | | that he has used to great success in both his |
| knowledge for humankind. You have to get out | | | | businesses. |