I want to thank our host Woody's for making this event a reality. Our speaker tonight is a consummate entrepreneur - an explorer who has used his skills to enable that first step into the business of the unknown. Vivek Nagrani's skills has moved him to a whole new realm into the spotlight as an acclaimed designer of luxury hosiery - specifically socks that are adorning the feet of the world's greatest corporate leaders and powerful opinion leaders.

But his greatest accomplishment is that his socks are being worn by the ordinary people who have a deep affection and appreciation for fashion and quality. I am one of those.

As a graduate from the University of Southern California in business administration, Vivek developed an acute business sense that he's honed through the co-founding of his first company, Value King Incorporated, and the success of his current company, Ovadafut Hosiery. But what you can't see about Vivek on spreadsheets and business plans is what really sets this entrepreneur extraordinaire apart from all others. Vivek has passion...that immeasurable variable of fervor and zeal, the intangible that distinguishes significance from mere success...he has the passion to create a company where quality trumps quantity.

Vivek first experienced that passion as a young man watching his grandfather who owned and operated luxury clothing stores in India. Vivek saw how his grandfather treated his customers. He studied how the elder focused the customization of service - something we often refer to as customer service. Vivek then used that knowledge to create a niche in the market that he calls "one part whim and one part luxury." In a world where 60-percent of the socks are black, Vivek Nagrani has opened our eyes to a candy store of colors, styles and fabrics. He has made a "basic" better and has given men all over the world an alternative to the power tie as a point of distinction.

Vivek Nagrani doesn't sell socks. He is an enabler of an experience and rather than offering something for everybody, Vivek's goal is to bring everything for somebody...one customer at a time. I am honored that he is here with us tonight.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming to Woody's of Frontenac, our gracious host and Webster University's Success to Significance Speaker Series acclaimed designer and business man Vivek Nagrani.

"I wish you a fruitful and enriching time at Webster and remember you are valuable to us. "

- Dr. Benjamin Akande