Based in Miami, Nikolas Velikopoljski is the founder of The Benefitted and an up-and-coming entrepreneur. In 2018, after the Hard Rock Stadium restricted their bag policy—effectively leaving attendees with the ability to carry nothing but the absolute essentials—Nikolas created a see-through fanny pack that complied with the stadium’s regulations. His bag was an instant hit for it’s convenience and its trendy design. Nikolas began producing the bags on a larger scale, and soon saw his bags being used by complete strangers all over his town. 

Now, The Benefitted has grown to include luxury fashion items and more accessories. As the company continues to expand, Nikolas Velikopoljski hopes to begin partnerships with local charities and nonprofit organizations, as well as universities, to help promote their work and foster meaningful business relationships. 

While Nikolas did not expect to go into the fashion industry, it comes as no surprise to those closest to him. He has always had an immense appreciation for clothing and accessories, using them to express himself and stand out from a crowd. For Nikolas, fashion is a medium in which one can visually demonstrate their personality. He often finds fun pieces and then alters them to fit his style. For example, he turned a pair of traditional bowling shoes into a pair of house slippers by simply melting off the heels of the shoes. 

Though The Benefitted is still within its early stages as a company, Nikolas Velikopoljski predicts that it is just the start of his entrepreneurial career. Never one to favor the traditional 9-5 job, he enjoys the creative freedom of entrepreneurship and the ability to get out of the office to forge connections and become inspired. After all, you don’t discover what people need by staying in. 

The entrepreneurial spirit also comes naturally for Nikolas—his father is an accomplished business founder and community leader in Miami. His father also instilled in him a passion for helping those less fortunate. For many years, Nikolas has taken every opportunity possible to volunteer and help people in need and is a regular volunteer at Sisters of Sacred Heart where he helps feed the homeless. In high school, he was a member of Leading Miami, a non-profit aimed at empowering students to be community leaders, and Get Smart, a charitable organization that provided school supplies to underfunded schools in the Bahamas.

For more on Nikolas Velikopoljski and his insight into the fashion industry, make sure to check out his blog!