Cullen Bonham, '14, Kadeem Fyffe, '13, Mark Kligman, '14, Michael Petrakis, '13 and Brian Topper, '15

“I wanted to start a group that would stand out in this world as the alternative,” said Cullen Bonham.

Bonham is the mastermind behind Perfect Gentleman, a lifestyle brand that he hopes will encourage people to find their passion and natural talents in life to grow into a vocation, much like he did. Bonham works with four of his peers—Kadeem Fyffe, ‘13, Mark Kligman, ‘14, Michael Petrakis, ’13 and Brian Topper, ’15—each is responsible for managing various aspects of the organization. “Kadeem is clothing;, Kligman is finance; Petrakis is music; Topper is marketing,” Bonham said.

Each member of Perfect Gentleman came to Richmond for different reasons and from various locations around the world, but all has realized the benefit their studies are already playing in their professional pursuits. “Business Ethics has been my favorite class hands down. Professor Noland is a genius. I’m glad I have been able to spend time with him and learn how to conduct business,” Bonham said.

Kligman adds, “The Robins School of Business is a great place with some really helpful professors who will take time out of their day for you to meet and discuss perspectives on business. Every class is great and it’s about making the most out of the experience we are so fortunate to have.”

Petrakis, who is pursuing entrepreneurship, said, “I have been happy to see a great effort in really pushing entrepreneurial values in my classes with new opportunities for students to engage in and learn about entrepreneurial practices.”

While establishing and growing Perfect Gentleman, the group has overcome and accomplished much. “The most difficult thing is the same as the most rewarding. We have already encountered multiple failures. But, learning from your failures is the key to success,” Petrakis said.

Fyffe adds, “The most difficult thing was starting, and not knowing what we were doing. We knew we wanted a company that supported music and clothing but we had no idea how to get to the specifics.”

“The most rewarding feeling is seeing other people start to believe in what we’re doing,” Bonham said. “It grows more every day.”

Perfect Gentleman has grown much over the last few months, offering their clothing line in the Carytown boutique West Coast Kix which has already seen selling success. They hope to expand the brand into other stores throughout Virginia and D.C. in the future.

Each member of Perfect Gentleman has grand plans after they graduate, from traveling the world to creating their own music company to working in investment banking. All hope for continued success with Perfect Gentleman. Whatever is in store for them, they will always be bonded by their time at the University of Richmond and their shared passion. “These are my brothers. I love these kids,” Bonham said.