By Keysha Drexel
Journal editor
Just like the hundreds of 2014 Over the Mountain high school graduates who will head off to college this fall, 2010 Mountain Brook High School graduates James Cox and Robert Phillips discovered the first challenge in their university careers would have nothing to do with tests.
Cox, who earlier this month earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Alabama and Phillips, who is a senior at Ole Miss, said their first collegiate conundrum was figuring out how to increase storage space in their tiny dorm rooms in an aesthetically pleasing and wallet-friendly way.
The solution to that problem led them to start their own business—Dorm Cubby, Inc., a company that offers shelving units to go behind dorm beds and on top of dorm room desks.
The bed and desk cubbies come with multiple options for features, including lights, mirrors, corkboards and headboards.
But before they could take advantage of the benefits of Dorm Cubby products—and being business owners—Phillips said he and his family learned the hard way that college students need affordable and stylish ways to spruce up their dorms.
“My mom had the plans for this and had to take the plans to a carpenter and have it built for an outrageous price, then pick up the large furniture and take it to a painter who also charged a fortune, then move it into the dorms,” Phillips said.
Phillips said seeing the expense and hassle associated with getting his mother’s plans realized gave him an idea.
“I immediately realized that I could build the same thing for much less money and save people the hassle of having to go through the steps my mother did,” he said.
Phillips launched Dorm Cubby, Inc. about two years ago, and the fledging business expanded quickly.
“Soon business grew and I had more on my plate than I could handle, and James entered the picture and has been vital to the success of the company,” Phillips said.
Cox graduated from Mountain Brook High School with Phillips and was glad to help his former classmate with his business.
Cox said the quality of Dorm Cubby products is what sets them apart from other dorm room furniture.
“Made by hand in the USA from cabinet-grade plywood, (our products) are made with the highest level of craftsmanship and will not fall apart like other cheaply-made furniture you may find at large retailers,” he said.
Cox said the commitment to giving their customers the best extends to all aspects of the business.
“We don’t believe in automated customer service, and I believe true business (success) lies at the core of the personalities of the people who run it,” he said. “We do everything to ensure that our customers feel like they are completely taken care of and treated with the utmost respect.”
Cox said the best part of his job at Dorm Cubby, Inc. is meeting students who are about to embark on their own college adventures.
“(I am) constantly meeting new people that are excited and pumped up about going to college,” Cox said. “It is such a fun time of life and always reminds me of when I first left (home) to pursue my degree.”
Cox and Phillips said they are looking forward to growing the company with the help of Phillips’ St. Bernard, Cleo, Dorm Cubby, Inc.’s official mascot, and the support of Berkley Petersen, Cox’s girlfriend and “motivation for all things in life.”
Cox said he and Phillips are setting their sights on taking Dorm Cubby products to college students worldwide in the next five years with the goal of “putting Ikea out of business and becoming a business where college students can have all their service and product needs fulfilled.”
Dorm Cubby products are available at a.ka. Girl Stuff in Homewood and at Five Gold Monkeys in Mobile.
For more information on the company, visit dormcubby.com.
