People capture moments all the time by taking pictures. What if the pictures you took could win you prizes? Justin Beard is an ‘05 graduate of UNC Wilmington and has recently started his own company, SnapYeti. SnapYeti is a fun place where you can be rewarded with deals from some of your favorite businesses for awesome photos you upload to contests right on Beard’s company website. 

Beard was first inspired to run his own business by his parents, who started their own software business right out of their basement in the early 80’s. After graduating from UNCW in 2005, Beard started a business with his father, which gave him the necessary skills and courage to start his own company.

As he was taking time off in the mountains and taking pictures of the gorgeous views around him, Beard’s landlord asked if she could use two of his pictures on her website in exchange for two ski lift tickets and dinner at the lodge. Soon after, SnapYeti was born.

“I wanted to create a place where this type of interaction could happen all the time,” Beard said. “I wanted a place where people could actually be rewarded for sharing photos. With full support of my loved ones, I moved in with my parents, sold my car and started waiting tables at night so I could start working full-time chasing that vision.”

The concept of SnapYeti is simple. People take photos and enter them into a contest on the website. The more “admirers” (views) your picture gets, the greater the chance you have to win prizes, deals and discounts. If you share your picture on social media, your friends and family can click on the link to your photo and view it, giving you more “admirers” and a higher chance of winning. 

Do you have an adorable picture of your cute little pug? Enter it into the contest “Pug Life.” Interested in showing off your organic cooking skills? Submit a photo to “Farm to Table Fresh” and you could win a Cast Iron Nation cookbook and skillet. Did you snap a great photo during the Wilmington St. Patrick’s Day parade? “Be Irish on St Paddys Day” and win your own deluxe brewing starter kit and Irish ale! With eight categories to choose from, it’s hard not to find a contest, or prize, of interest. 

Contest participants are not the only ones benefiting from SnapYeti.

“SnapYeti provides businesses of all sizes a simple, yet effective way to incentivize their customers and potential customers to actively promote their product or service with friends and family via photo sharing,” said Beard.

In Fall of 2013, Beard received a $48,900 grant from NC IDEA, which supports and provides financial help to young and high-growth technology companies in the form of grants. There were a total of 117 applicants that applied and Beard and his team were one of five winners.  

“We picked Justin because his idea was unique and he is an ultimate go-getter,” said Grant Program Manager of NC IDEA, Andrea Cook. “His business would impact the world and he has what it takes to make it to the next level.”

With all of SnapYeti’s success, some may ask where the yeti comes into play. Beard and his team hoped that including a yeti would attract attention to their business. The yeti can be found on their website and also provides the unique outlook of the company, one that everyone sees the world differently and each picture is unique and special in its own way. 

“I figured creating a brand around a fun, intriguing yeti would help us stand out,” said Beard. 

The yeti has attracted a variety of users to the website. Beard also drew in a crowd at the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, where he gave a small presentation about his new business on Friday, Feb. 7.  

“I was surprised how fast along this product moved,” said Chairman of The Cape Fear Economic Development Council and entrepreneur, Lloyd Smith. “I thought that his business idea was well thought out.”

It is easy to see just how committed and excited Beard is about his new business. His presentation made the audience excited to achieve something just as great as SnapYeti.

“Justin made me feel like I shouldn’t give up and to stay positive,” said President and CEO of Specs4Menus.com, Susan Dean.  “He made me feel like there are a lot of opportunities out there.”

Beard and his team see the future of SnapYeti becoming brighter than ever. They plan to implement features, such as commenting on pictures and different social media features to keep their users coming back.

“I’d like SnapYeti to be a household name in three years,” said Beard. “I see kids showing their grandparents how to submit photos on SnapYeti at the Thanksgiving table. I see local artisans selling their passion across the globe.”

In the words of Beard: “All I know is the best is yeti to come.”