Entrepreneurship does not have a script or roadmap; it is more like a puzzle. For engineering graduate student and 2025 Park Scholar, Tobias Hullette, the puzzle is what he loves most.

Growing up on a farm was Hullette’s first exposure to entrepreneurship. At eight years old, he made and sold chicken coops and rabbits. He saved up his money to buy a 3D printer and started to sell his creations. Eventually, he began building 3D printers for other people.

Early on, Hullette recognized that he enjoyed building, but even more so when it was validated as valuable to someone else.

Creating Solutions

After battling problems with his BMW and a friend’s Audi S4, Hullette and Markus Rumswinkel decided to start making their own parts to fix them. The idea slowly started to catch on, so they founded German Performance Solutions (GPS) to redesign and manufacture more reliable, high-performing car parts.

Their first idea was a fuel-injection system, but a single kit cost $3,000. Knowing this was not financially feasible, they went with a smaller product, a thermostat for the engine. They bounced ideas with friends at car races, took feedback and always made sure to do right by their customers.

For the first two years, GPS did not sell much. It was more of a hobby for the team of two. They started to consider trying something else until a YouTube video of their products took off and business started to boom.

Finding a space in the Pack

During his freshman year at NC State, Hullette found the Albright Entrepreneurship Garage through one of his introductory classes. He has been an avid member of the space ever since.

Eren Hebert, Albright Entrepreneurship Garage manager, has been a helping hand in ensuring they have access to resources and help thinking through ideas. For GPS’s first production run, Hullette wanted to do laser engraving, which Hebert assisted them with.

In addition, it was beneficial for Hullette to work alongside other students who are excited about entrepreneurship and focused on building their ideas. They are able to collaborate, bounce ideas and get a lot of work done.

Hullette also noted, “The Garage is the perfect place for long work sessions. It is quiet, allows you to meet other entrepreneurs and sometimes has snacks.”

The Garage has been a tremendous help in Hullette’s journey. It is a space that removes fear, as students can work alongside one another and provide feedback. It is a safe space to ideate, as everyone has their own project. The free resources have also been beneficial in creating prototype tools.

“[NC State] provides all the tools you need to prove a concept! It has never been easier to solve a problem and build a solution,” said Hullette.

Developing as an entrepreneur

Navigating entrepreneurship and building a business is not easy. For Hullette, he has learned most from talking with fellow founders and his own failures. “You do not learn anything when an endeavor is easy. I embrace slow months, customer complaints and design feedback because it proves there is room for growth,” he said. He leans on other entrepreneurs for advice and mentorship in navigating hurdles.

While business classes are a space for learning, Hullette highlighted the practical knowledge and hands-on experience that come with the safe environment of college. “College is immensely important in building connections and buying time to take a risk with nothing to lose.”

Next steps

Hullette and Rumswinkel have a few ideas about where GPS may go in the future, with potential customers ranging from drag racers to daily drivers. Currently, they are working on enhancing car parts to improve speed and power without sacrificing reliability. In the next ten years, they hope to build completely enhanced engines.

As for Hullette, after graduation he will move across the country to California for an outstanding job opportunity. He hopes to learn as much as possible and lead an entrepreneurial life.