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Schools

Plymouth Teen Becomes Business VP At Age 18

An online marketing company in Plymouth may have found the next Steve Jobs in Armstrong High School senior Alex Houg.

Plymouth resident Alex Houg has always loved technology. A few years ago, his passion for electronics sparked an idea to create a website and sell gaming accessories. He started studying strategies for online marketing, and within months this self-taught businessman was swamped with orders.

“I was running to the post office constantly to keep up with the thousands of orders that were coming in,” he said.

Houg had created a successful online business, no small feat for anyone, but Houg was just 15.

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“I wound up selling that company for a good profit and decided that online marketing is where my strength is,” he said.

Determined to jump-start his career early, this teenager started offering advice to businesses and within three years Blacksmith Marketing, a startup company in Plymouth that offers businesses online marketing support, hired Houg full time.

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“I see real potential in Alex,” said President of Blacksmith Marketing Ron Grams. “On a daily basis he works with our clients and helps them with websites, social media, online contests, you name it. It’s all in an effort to help businesses reach more customers.”

Houg, who is a senior at Amstrong High School, has become more than an employee at this company, he is a partner and holds the title of Vice President at Blacksmith. At 18, Houg is now juggling his high-level job and school. He’s decided to finish his degree online, so he has the flexibility to work.

“I know a lot of people my age are worried about homework and tests, but I have a whole different set of responsibilities and honestly I love it,” Houg said. “I don’t feel like I’m missing out on my teenage years at all, I’d rather get a head start on my career and relax later.”

While Grams admits he did have reservations about hiring someone so young, he says Houg’s “mad internet skills” won him over, making it an easy decision to hire him.

Houg has already gained the support of fellow employees, in fact, people at Blacksmith Marketing have referred to Houg as a "young Steve Jobs," the well-known legend that helped Apple create a whole line of “must-have” gadgets like the iPhone.

“There are a lot of similarities between Alex and Steve Jobs,” Grams said. “It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if Alex has a life similar to that of the Apple tycoon.”

For now, Houg is concentrating on getting his high school diploma, and plans to excel at Blacksmith Marketing for years to come.

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