College Entrepreneur Dives Into Niche BusinessA University of Oregon grad turns his love of coral into a thriving niche business.

Think tanks: Anything Coral's Ian McMenamin.

Photo© John Valls

Neon-tipped blue Ricordea Yuma coral is hard to find. Ian McMenamin has a waiting list of clients looking for the rare species, which sells for up to $2,000 per one-inch piece. "In other industries, when demand goes up, you can call the factory and increase production," he says. "You can't do that with coral."

The 26-year-old became fascinated with coral while working in a pet store as a teenager. He recalls lingering near the saltwater tanks, mesmerized. "The crazy colors looked like something out of a Dr. Seuss book," he says.