What is now the world’s largest college classifieds network did not always used to be. Our story comes from humble beginnings and tough times coupled with creativity and an eye for what college students need.

They say that college is the best time of your life. College is also a time for many students where resources are scarce and where living frugally becomes the only option. This reality is more so for some students than others. Take the story of this college student:

Times were tough for this young man. College was supposed to be hard on the wallet, but not this hard. Without enough money for a meal plan or a dorm room, this college student was forced to eat more Ramen noodles than you can imagine and sleep in the library nights at a time when there were simply no other options. Food and dorm weren’t the only expenses that were excessive for this student. Textbooks were a whole different story. In order to be able to buy the books he needed for class, he would go from campus to campus, from bus stop to bus stop, looking for “FOR SALE” signs of the books he needed at a price he could afford. He knew he’d have a decent chance at finding the books because a lot of the students at his campus would be taking the same courses he would take. The problem was that it took forever to find these books.

Frustrated with the problem of finding the textbooks he needed from the students around him, he used all the nights he spent living at the University library to work on creating a site that allows college students to buy and sell with individuals on their campus. He realized this would make it so much easier for students to get the things they need and cut costs because shipping would no longer be involved. On a shoestring budget, this very frustrated and at the same time motivated college student came up with what has come to be known as Walamu.com, the world’s largest college classifieds network.