Christopher Bank

The story of why, when and how you decided to move here (or stay here): I returned home after college in 2006 to start up my own Internet company out of my parents’ home—cheapest rent in the world (at least for me). Like many ambitious young professionals who grew up in the Rochester suburbs, I wanted to leave as soon as the right opportunity presented itself. It turns out one of the best opportunities in the startup universe—Epostmarks Inc.—operates next to Midtown Plaza at the heart of downtown. I met the founders at an overpriced National Association of Seed and Venture Funds Conference in November one month before my planned trip to California to meet with several graduating students I was actively recruiting to join my venture. I never made it out to California, rationalizing that Epostmarks would soon sell off and I would have plenty of time to experience the rest of the world, including California. After adding two more years living here, two more years as a professional, I’ve come to realize that Rochester has so much to offer and even more potential. Even after I leave to travel the world or experience other cities, I know I’ll maintain significant ties to this city—and it’s highly probable that I’ll raise my family here. Only time will tell. I’m only 24.

Where you went to undergraduate college / graduate school: BBA, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Where you work now and your job title: CEO’s left-hand man, Epostmarks Inc.

Where do you live? In Brighton, by Cobbs Hill Park

What do you like about life in Rochester? Aside from childhood memories, Rochester has a diverse intellectual culture and is close to a lot of significant destinations on the East Coast. I’m also convinced (maybe naively) that local companies are willing to pay a premium for young talent, unlike in major cities where everyone but the most brilliant is just another mule in the pack. I’m naturally impatient, so it’s nice that Rochester doesn’t have any congestion. Finally, grocery and home supply shopping isn’t the same without the Wegmans.

What do you do for fun?
I spend a fair amount of time at Java’s during the week. Farmers’ Market on the weekend—it’s packed on Saturdays. Tapas 177 for free salsa lessons on Thursday nights. Wegmans almost daily for something—they’ve got it all (even curbside service for all walks of life—the lazy, the elderly and the overwhelmed). Art exhibits—Rochester Contemporary Art Center is my favorite and around the corner from my office. Volleyball through Hot Shots. Wine touring. Special events—International Jazz Fest, High Falls International Film Festival, Taste of Rochester. Weekend trips to attractive nearby destinations. We’re luckily six hours from a lot of hot spots—Boston, NYC, D.C., Montreal—several hours from Niagara Falls, Toronto and the Adirondacks, and less than an hour to many gorgeous lakes. I also frequent clubs like One and Mex. If you’re really into big city clubs, Tilt is probably the best place to get your fix.

What would you tell a college student (who is trying to decide where to live after graduation) about what life is like here post-college? Naturally, it takes a little more effort to find amazing things to do and the right people compared with a big city, but there are trade-offs in every decision you make.

What’s the best first step to making friends and finding your way around? First, get a job, any job. Joblessness is unattractive. I’d subsequently join Rochester Young Professionals, City Walk for monthly bar crawls and an organization that fits your interests. Informative sites are www.rochesterdowntown.com and rockwiki,org. Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networking sites have a ton of listings.
[Posted in 2008]