GLASSBORO, NJ – Korey Greene, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Ocean City, NJ, has a completely different schedule compared to most college students. On top of being an engineering student and a member of the cross country and track & field teams, Greene is working nonstop on his own company, Frankencycles. 
 
Frankencycles, a customizable tall bike company, began back when he was still in high school during the summer before his junior year. "I've always been building stuff, so I wanted to teach myself how to weld," says Greene. Describing the company as "…a fun first project to do," his project grew into a neighborhood sensation. "Everyone else loved it too. Everyone I passed stared at me and laughed." Later partnering with one of his best friends, Nick Oteri, Frankencycles has been a hit ever since with plenty of people in awe of his bike creations. "I've seen people do it before. I didn't invent the idea, but I made it my own." 
 
Yet, how does Korey manage to get all this done? Well, Greene has had plenty of experience being a student-athlete. "I've kind of been running and doing the student-athlete thing forever now. I've been running for three seasons, basically four if you include the summer and I just kind of find time to compartmentalize." Plus, he has big plans still to further his company. "Right now, I'm developing a prototype so I can manufacture them in a large amount," said Greene. "I would like to eventually get to the point where we can be in production, manufacturing our own bicycles." 
 
In addition, Rowan has also shaped his experience and skills as an entrepreneur. During Greene's freshman year, he competed in the 2018 Idea Challenge and placed third overall. Working with the Rowan Innovation Venture Fund, Korey highlights the amazing mentorship opportunity he was provided during the competition. 
 
"They helped me not only with presentation skills and deliver an elevator pitch, but it helped kind of focus me," he described. Likewise, Greene also commented on his experience as a mechanical engineering major, "As an engineer, engineering and business are really different. So, I was able to learn more business minded thinking as compared to just engineering, which makes me more versatile."
            
However, if you ask Korey what the best part of running Frankencycles, he'll say: "I think it's really just [being] able to explore new ideas and to kind of do my own thing." Though, the reaction he gets from people looking at his bikes still makes him proud. 
 
"When I ride around, everyone looks at me and thinks it's awesome. To be able to put a smile on people's face from just riding a bike by is pretty sweet."
 
Overall, Korey Greene just goes to show about the dedication needed to make the most out of the Rowan experience. His advice to future students and student-athletes: "Just try. I'm in a good point in my life where I'm not worry about my student debt yet and I don't have rent to pay. You're kind of in an area that's risk free. So, take the risks now when really the risks aren't that high."
 
For more information on Frankencycles: go to frankencyclesusa.com or follow him on Instagram (frankencycles).