The Impassioned Entrepreneur
Inspiration often strikes when we least expect it. For Frederick Paul II, it happened while he was struggling to make ends meet as a college student at WMU. The longtime sneaker aficionado began selling old pairs of shoes on eBay as a way to collect a few extra dollars. It was this venture that ignited his idea for The Heat Factory—now Fahrenheit 313—a Detroit-based, resale shop where sneakerheads can share their love for kicks, unapologetically. The purpose-driven business designates a portion of its proceeds to local charities that invest in Detroit.
In addition to running Fahrenheit 313, Paul—a two-time honoree of The 30—serves as North America process and operations specialist for Dassault Systèmes 3DEXCITE, a company that creates digital marketing experiences for consumer brands. Paul manages large-scale projects for brands, creating customer experiences that ultimately drive purchasing decisions.
Best Learning Experience at WMU: “Studying abroad in the Dominican Republic. The trip opened my eyes to how big the world is, and it’s where I learned that I love to travel and experience new cultures.”