How Ben Scarbeary is Channeling Creativity Into Entrepreneurial Impact at CU Boulder
When Benjamin Scarbeary began creating video game content on YouTube during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, he didn’t expect it to spark a lasting passion for entrepreneurship. Now a freshman at CU Boulder and a proud Deming Center Ambassador, Ben is channeling that same energy into helping other students discover the possibilities of entrepreneurial thinking.
A Colorado native with deep family roots in small business ownership, Ben was surrounded by entrepreneurship from a young age. His mom and both grandparents each run their own businesses, so carving out a path in business felt like a natural step. Still unsure whether he’ll major in marketing or entrepreneurship, Ben has already begun building his foundation through real-world experience.
Ben's first introduction to marketing and entrepreneurship came through producing YouTube videos centered around gaming. With schools closed due to Covid-19 and extra time on his hands, he dove into video creation, not just for entertainment, but as a way to explore digital media and grow an audience. Over time, the process revealed a passion not just for gaming, but for building something that could connect with others.
Ben’s connection to the Deming Center came shortly after arriving at CU Boulder. While applying for a venture launch program, ultimately unavailable to freshmen, he was encouraged to explore the ambassador program instead. That suggestion led him to stop by the Deming Center, where he quickly realized it was a space filled with people who shared his drive to build, create, and grow. Now, as an ambassador, he’s embraced the opportunity to help other students uncover resources they may not know exist.
Scaling Impact On and Off Campus
Ben’s involvement as a Deming Center Ambassador has been driven by his passion for building connections and sparking engagement. An aspect that stands out in his role is the ability to contribute to event planning: creating experiences that bring students together and inspire meaningful conversations around entrepreneurship. For Ben, these moments go beyond just day-to-day logistics; they represent real opportunities to see ideas come to life and to witness the excitement that can emerge when students share what they're working on.
One event in particular has become a highlight: Shark Tank. This student pitch event has become a campus favorite, drawing a mix of participants: some attending just for fun, others stepping up to pitch serious ventures. For Ben, the value is in the diversity of ideas and the creative energy that fills the room. Events like this have helped spread the Deming Center's presence among students, where anticipation for these events now build year after year.
As he looks ahead, Ben recognizes the importance of not just attracting new students to the Deming Center, but also keeping existing members engaged. While many students sign up for updates and participate in events, there isn’t always a clear next step for those ready to dive deeper. Creating more pathways for continued involvement, especially as students’ needs evolve from freshman year to graduation, is one area Ben hopes to innovate and refresh. By refining the balance between outreach and long-term engagement, he believes the Deming Center can continue to be an amazing resource and community space for all aspiring entrepreneurs on campus.
Entrepreneurial Momentum
This experience as a solo founder has shaped the way Ben approaches his role at the Deming Center. Having personally navigated the ups and downs of running a venture, he brings a practical lens to event planning and student support. He’s quick to identify when something didn’t work, and just as eager to iterate and improve. Whether it’s troubleshooting event attendance or suggesting new resources, he’s constantly thinking about how to increase impact through both experimentation and empathy.
These skills are what has taken his passion for content creation and turned it into a growing venture of his own. What began during the early days of the pandemic as a solo YouTube channel has since evolved into a freelance business focused on influencer marketing. Over time, Ben realized that his real interest wasn’t just in gaming, it was in crafting content that resonates with people. That realization led him to shift from making videos for himself to helping others grow their online presence.
In 2023, he began working with a wide variety of clients, from small wellness consultants to major finance influencers with large followings. This period became a crash course in marketing strategy, video production, and platform algorithms: all of which helped him refine his focus and develop his own unique value proposition. He officially launched a solo-run influencer marketing agency dedicated to helping creators optimize their content and expand their reach.
Ben is already thinking ahead for his venture. Currently operating as a one-person team, he’s exploring ways to scale his services, possibly through tools or resources tailored to the influencer space. With experience on both sides, as a creator and a marketer, he’s positioned to understand the challenges of growing a digital presence and is focused on building solutions that are efficient, scalable, and creator-friendly.
The Power to Create Change
As an entrepreneurial-minded student at CU Boulder, Ben is not only building a venture, he's also working to build a better entrepreneurial ecosystem at CU Boulder. Despite the abundance of opportunities on campus, he’s noticed that many students, especially those outside of the Leeds School of Business, remain unaware of the Deming Center and the support it offers.
This gap in awareness is something Ben hopes to help bridge. Whether through more inclusive events, stronger outreach, or clearer pathways for involvement, he believes there is more to be done to connect students with the tools they need to thrive. It’s a challenge he acknowledges is complex, but also one he’s passionate about addressing through his role as a Deming Ambassador.
For Ben, entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting a business, it’s about truly creating change.
“My personal definition of entrepreneurship is the power and the ability to create change.”
Whether he's launching influencer campaigns, planning events that spark ideas, or mentoring fellow students, that mission stays at the center of everything he does. His journey is just beginning, but it already serves as a powerful example of what happens when creativity, community, and opportunity come together.