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Wednesday, April 25, 2007
David Hauser and Siamak Taghaddos
A lot guys in their early twenties are out partying all night and "figuring it out" during the day. But not 24-year-old David Hauser, pictured right, and 25-year-old Siamak Taghaddos. These young entrepreneurs are seizing the day and the night.

Hauser and Taghaddos founded GotVMail , a company based in Boston that basically makes the small business owner look like a really big deal by providing them sophisticated, personalized voicemail service. Catering to the little guy has made the GotVMail guys big money. The company has been profitable since its second month and now has revenues of $5 million a year.

Hauser and Taghaddos met when they were undergrads at Babson College, a school known for turning out entrepreneuers. They both started their own companies in high school. They don't sleep much now and didn't sleep much then -- but, then again, who can when you're busy seizing your youth?

Update: Watch the CNN.com Live interview
Posted 8:10 AM
3 Comments Add a comment
If these two young entreprenuers, who have created a voicemail service for small business owners, 'rock', then what does this word mean? I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but in their fervor to connect with Generation MySpace (or whatever bit of cleverness is on Jennie Moos' lips this week), CNN comes up with a segment title that's simultaneously condescending and out of touch with "people under 30" like myself. I don't mean to romanticize 'rock' or imply more than what's there, but if these guys embody the spirit of rock n roll, then I guess we're all Iggy Pop. Does Warren Buffett rock? Does he rock harder than Hendrix? Yes and no, because this word is meaningless and probably always has been.

Wow, you've got the Sex Pistols on your iPod!
Posted By Blogger Malcolm :June 5, 2007 12:04 PM ET  
Oh Malcolm...don't be a hater. And quit being so small-minded. These guys took a little idea (something that may even be seen as stupid) and created a multi-million dollar company. I'm impressed!!!

(by the way--I'm only 23 as well)
Posted By Blogger Zeke :July 31, 2007 1:39 PM ET  
Malcom, I think you take the word 'rock' too literally. It doesn't mean they "embody the spirit of rock and roll," as you suggested. Instead the term is used more colloquially here--that they did something cool, and it is notable. Save your hate for CNN, not for these two entrepreneurs.
Posted By Anonymous ivychild :January 31, 2008 5:28 AM ET  
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Young People Who Rock is a weekly interview series focused on people under 30 -- from CEOs to entertainers to athletes to community and political leaders -- who are doing remarkable things. CNN Anchor Nicole Lapin introduces them here, then interviews them Fridays on CNN.com Live. Log on in the 3 p.m. ET hour to catch the interviews.
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