20 in their 20s: Jason Reuben & Matt Lauzon

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With Paragon Lake Inc., Jason Reuben and co-founder Matt Lauzon are meshing technology and custom jewelry design in hopes of helping retailers’ bottom line.

The two were no strangers to business. Lauzon started his own paper route at 11. At 16, when local high schools banned dances, Lauzon started holding parties complete with professional disc jockeys and security guards for which he charged up to 500 students $10 each to enter.

Reuben, who attended Beverly Hills High School, grew up in his family’s jewelry business, although he never thought he would pursue a career in what he called a “technology-adverse industry.”

“The industry is so backwards,” Reuben said. “People do not understand that the Internet can be their friend.”

Lauzon and Reuben, who met at Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., started the company in August 2006 in Los Angeles. By the first week of that September, the company garnered its first sale.

Paragon Lake uses Web-based software that lets customers customize jewelry. The company currently works with 13 independent retailers nationwide.

“Consumers can get exactly what they want.” Lauzon said. “They don’t have to settle for a piece of jewelry that is almost what they wanted.”

In December, venture capital firm Highland Capital invested in the company with the goal to take the company public in four or five years.

Reuben said the biggest obstacle facing the co-founders during the company’s starting phase was their age. “Reputation and age sets your value in this industry.”

There’s been some hard work and sacrifices along the way.

“Matt and I were hitting it hard our junior year,” Reuben said of their beginning. “We were working on Paragon Lake instead of going out and partying.”

For that matter, there’s still a lot of work.

“I go to work very, very early in the morning, before the sun rises, and I’m happy when I come to work,” Reuben said. “And I’m happy when I leave work.”


Sharifah Chammas



Matt Lauzon

and

Jason Reuben

, both 23, Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer, respectively, Paragon Lake Inc., Boston and L.A.

Business: Custom jewelry designing

Employees: 7 full-time employees;

4 contract employees

Fact: They began planning the

company during their junior year at Babson College in Wellesley, Mass.

Quote: “Always hire people smarter than you.” (Lauzon)

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